Lens-Artists Challenge #120 – What A Treat!
This week, at the Lens-Artists Challenge community, Tina shared with us her thinking behind the theme: “There are many terrible aspects of the COVID 19 pandemic, too numerous to count really. On the other hand, there are a few positives as well. This week I experienced the latter – which in the spirit of Halloween week here in the U.S., I am calling ‘quite a treat.'”
Visiting my family is always an enjoyment, but our last trip was surely a treat to me and my husband.
When Autumn was born, I flew to Portland, Oregon once a month to spend time with her and my daughter Mercy. After her first birthday, I went every six weeks. Being an educator, watching her growth and learning unique skills was an amazement. In March this year, because of the Covid, I cancelled my trip when Mercy gave birth to Nora. Eventually, I took a trip to meet Nora five months after she was born. As to my husband, Lynton, his last time being with Autumn was January 2019 when we took a family trip to Hong Kong and Japan.
Early this month, it was a real treat to me and Lynton to visit Mercy’s family and spend time with Autumn and Nora.
Autumn was attached to Lynton right away. She came into my room to wake me up gently every morning and said, “Where is grandpa?” “I think he went to the store to get a newspaper,” I said. She wanted Lynton to read to her, doing puzzles and other projects with her.
Nora grew so fast. She loved to smile and make distinct sounds. Lynton enjoyed interacting with her.
I took tons of photos, of course!
We did many activities, even though it was limited by the Covid. We went to a pumpkin farm. Autumn visited the cows, goats, and pigs. She and Daddy went on a hayride, train ride, and jumped on a giant bouncing bed.
We went to the school playground across the street from my daughter’s house. We went on a walk in the neighborhood. Three nights in a row, we played board games after the kids went to bed.
What a Treat!
Taking family photo is a challenge to get the kids look at the camera.
The rain stopped when we arrived at the pumpkin farm and the rainbow appeared.
Reading and cuddling
Interacting
“I want grandma to get in.”
We played Yahtzee, Scrabble, and a detective game. I’m as competitive as Mercy and Will.
Autumn’s new favorite is the geometric block patterns. She knows the names such as hectogon and trapezoid.
Autumn is a loving big sister. When Nora fusses, she would pat her, hug her, and bring her a toy. She can hardly wait to run around with Nora.
Reading and learning through playing are important for the kid’s growth and development. Mercy and Will read to the kids from the beginning of their lives.
Our next visit to them is Thanksgiving. We look very much forward to it.
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Lens-Artists Challenge #120 – What A Treat!
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The Showers of Blessings 
Sweet, sweet photos, Miriam. You are richly blessed. Thank you for sharing these precious moments. ✨❤✨
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Yes, I’m very blessed. Had a video chat with them today and watched the kids doing things. They grow up so fast. ❤
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I love all these amazing pictures of your family Miriam. When my last grandson was born seeing the two older ones love him and calm him was priceless. Your upcoming visit at Thanksgiving should be wonderful. Enjoy it.
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I know, Carla. It warms our hearts when the kids show love to each other! I canceled our trip because of the coronavirus and new regulations from Washington, Oregon, and California. We would have to be self quarantine for 14 days after arrival, but we only planned to stay for 6 days. It would be complicated.
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I understand that. We don’t have to quarantine province to province, yet, only if we leave the country. Enjoy your holiday anyway, Video messaging I guess.
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Yes, Carla, we just have to do our best to be safe. Have a wonderful holiday!
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That swing you were in looked so fun! I think I’d enjoy that swing.
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It was pretty comfortable expect you can’t push yourself. Someone has to push you.
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Pure joy!
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Thank you!
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what a lovely visit-and the grand children are adorable!! Isn’t it a blessing to know Will and mercy are such good parents?
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What a wonderful family, Miriam. I love the board games, the outside time, the helping each other–everything!
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I love board games. There are so many amazing new games. I usually don’t learn all the rules, but half way through the first round, I got the gist of it.
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Your grandchildren are beautiful! So glad you were able to spend some family time together ❤
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My first trip in August turned out well. We were very cautious. They kept Autumn from daycare for two weeks. Will had a Covid test. When I flew, I booked premium class so I didn’t have to pass by many passengers. ❤
So I told them not to keep Autumn at home, but we still get the premium seats, just to be cautious. It's worth it to spend $100 more for the two of us round trip. We'll do the same for the future trips. ❤
It looks like the second wave of Covid hit the US as Fauci indicated. One blogger posted a graph showing somewhere in Utah had 2000 cases in one day. People lax too fast.
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This post is a treat, Miriam! I loved all the pictures. What lovely, fun memories you’ve made with your family. Your granddaughters are growing so fast. They’re beautiful. ❤ xo
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Exactly, Vashti. They are growing so fast. My daughter treasures every moment of the little one clinging on to her. Autumn went through the “terrible two” and was not cooperative oftentimes. She is not over that period yet. My daughter prepared her for our visit and together they made a list of things Autumns wanted to do with us. It worked out very well! ❤
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What a brilliant idea. Your daughter was so smart and well prepared to do that. I’m happy it worked out well. ❤
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We were happy that she was prepared to do things with us. We look forward to Thanksgiving. 💖😊
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Lovely pictures Miriam and wonderful memories are being made! You are blessed!
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I agree with you, Balroop. It’s a blessing to be closed to the family. I’m very grateful and treasure every moment. Thank you for your comment!
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Prescious moment with your granddaughters. Very special, indeed. I envy you… Miriam.
I love the last image especially. 🙂
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Thank you, Amy! My daughter asked me to take the last image. She is the photographer of the family so most of the photos don’t have her in them. I try to take some of her and the kids whenever I’m there. I liked that one with Nora looking at the book. 🙂
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Great photos. No better treat than being with family.
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You’re right, John! I wish to be in their neighborhood. It would be wonderful!
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Miriam, these photos have left me with a huge smile. What beautiful family moments. Thank you for sharing and brightening the day! 🙂
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We had a wonderful time being with them, Mae. My daughter asked if I would move closer to them. I said I would but it’s not easy for many reasons. Thank you for reading. I appreciated that! 🙂
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Wonderful narrative Miriam and yes watching them grow is the best…I understand the distance…and the gratitude of being able to visit…thanks for sharing ~ sending joy hedy ☺️🤓💫
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Thank you for reading, Hedy. I wish to move closer to them, but my husband and I are used to the sun here and we don’t do well in the cold weather. My daughter is used to the cold. I just have to make frequent visits. Thank you for reading and your cheers! 🙂 🙂 ❤
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This is gorgeous, Miriam. Family time really is a treat.
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Exactly, Norah! I had so much fun being with them.
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💖
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
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I appreciated your reblog, Jaye!
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You have such a lovely family, Miriam… thanks for sharing them with us!
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Family is important to us. Thank you for reading, Jaye! ❤
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Family should be important to everyone!
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Yes, I hope it is, Jaye!
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So glad you are making all these great memories, Miriam! Your grandkids are precious.
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Yeah, Pete. I need these memories to cheer me on every day. As a teacher, you would appreciate my grandkid’s love of learning. Thank you for reading and comment!
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This post made me smile and lifted my heart. Such beautiful photos of amazing memories. Xo
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I always take tons of photos when I see them. I look at them often in-between visits. Their smiles make me smile. Thank you for your comment, Denise! ❤
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What a lovely post, Miriam – and what dear little sweeties. I love all those pumpkins. Toni x
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Thank you, Toni! I didn’t notice white pumpkins when I went to the pumpkin farm in the previous year. I guess there are white and green and other colors of pumpkins.
Thank you for reading!! ❤
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Thank you for sharing the wonderful photos of your time with Mercy and her family. I just loved the description of Autumn gently waking you to ask where’s grandpa?
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Yes, Liz, sometimes she came into the room and stood by the bed without saying anything. I usually sense the presence of people in the room, so I woke up.
She did the same to wait for Daddy. One time my daughter took a photo when she was reading a book by Daddy’s bed and waited for him to wake up. She is a very gentle child. My heart melts when I see things like this happens!
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That’s so sweet!!
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She is!!
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I can feel the emotion in your post, Miriam. Waiting to meet Nora for the first time when she was five months old brings tears to my eyes. It is wonderful how Autumn adores her grandpa and I am sure she adores you, too. Wow, the activities and especially the time together…A Treat! Your photos are wonderful and heartwarming. I love all of the smiles. Hectogon” and “trapezoid” are big names for a little girl. A beautiful post, Miriam.❤️
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Oh, yeah, Erica! As I said, I took tons of photos and scroll them on my photo and look at them often. It brings big smiles on my face all the time. My husband’s heart is melted by Autumn’s sweet voice saying “grandpa, grandpa.” He can hardly wait to go back for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I love the way Will does things with Autumn. He doesn’t even think that she might be too young for this and that. They talk with her in normal sentences. When I told them I asked the parents of the students don’t do baby talk with their kids. Mercy and Will don’t even know what that means because they’ve never tried to do baby talk.
Thank you for your comment, Erica. ❤
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I love your post this week because I, too, am a grandmother. And oh, the joy of sitting on the floor, playing with toys, reading books — it’s all one big treat! Enjoy!
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Exactly, Rusha. They have great use of that rug and do so much with the kids on that rug. It seems like all the books and toys and puzzles naturally stay within the rug!! It was a big treat and I hope to have many more!
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Lots more to come, Miriam!
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I know there are, Rusha!
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How precious and beautiful! The kids and the rainbow gifts of their own kind 🙂
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Thank you so much! I love the rainbow. It comes and goes in a drizzling weather. Kids these ages are so much fun! 🙂
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You are welcome. Absolutely 🙂
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❤ ❤ 🙂
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Now THAT, Miriam, is what I call a real treat!! Your family is really beautiful and clearly loving and kind. Your granddaughters look like they only your company as much as you enjoy theirs! Good for you for being able to spend such important time with them, COVID notwithstanding. Hurrah!!!
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Yeah, Tina. My daughter said Autumn woke up and went straight to our bedroom instead of their bedroom. She said it showed how special we are to Autumn. I was happy to hear that.
I want my granddaughters to have great memories of us. It’s an important part of their overall life.
We’re careful with our daily life so we could be healthy to visit them!!
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What a wonderful post, Miriam! Your granddaughters are adorable. I love the photo of you in the swing! Thanks for sharing. I know you’re counting the days until Thanksgiving.❤️
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I could handle the swing, Jill! Autumn got me to be on the merry-go-around with her. I couldn’t stay on it for two rounds. When my husband stopped it, I was still spinning!!
Autumn loves to turn herself around and around until falls. I was told kids get used to it!
Yes, I am counting the days. We’ll plan the menu together. Basically every one picks one or two favorite dishes! ❤
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Such a delight Miriam 🙂 thanks for sharing
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How I wish to live around the corner and see them often. Thank you for reading, Brian. 🙂
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Such delightful photos Miriam. You are truly blessed.
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I can agree with you more, Peter. I’m blessed with a closed relationship with my daughter and granddaughters. It’s something I’ll forever be thankful for.
One friend shared that their children distanced with them and not allow them to be close to the grand kids. Such a heartache!
Thank you for your comment!
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What a beautiful post, Miriam. You have a wonderful family that treasures their time together. That is a wonderful treat!! And your granddaughters are adorable, too!
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Thank you, Patti! I’m thankful to be close to my daughter and granddaughters. It’s a treat I won’t take it for granted.
I’ve heard of so many heartbreaking stories among my friends about their children and grandchildren.
Thank you for your comment!
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You’re very welcome, Miriam.😀
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I can see this was a Real Treat, Miriam! After so long a time not seeing each other, it must have been such a joy for all of you! Thank you for sharing of your treat!
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You’re welcome, Ann-Christine! My husband was so exited, especially when Autumn wanted so much to do things with him. Thank you for your comment. ❤
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♥
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What a wonderful post, Miriam. Thank you for sharing this lovely pictures, I am always interested in seeing how your granddaughters are growing and your daughter and Will too. What lovely memories you have made.
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Thank you, Robbie! I’m so pleased to interact with them and observe them. I told Will that the geometric set is for ages 3 to 8, there are activities for older kids such as the names of hectogon and trapezoid. One night, Autumn picked the advanced card with the outline on the edges and filled it with blocks of her choosing. She has serious look at books or objects even before she turned one.
I’m glad she has fun playing with Nora’s toys though, just doing fun things.
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Autumn is a very smart little girl and I’m sure Nora will be the same.
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Robbie, when I studied counseling, I understand that only 30% is genetic, something a person is born with. 70% is environment. So with the right environment, proper tools, and guidance, kids can progress. Even Einstein said, “I am not a genius, I am just curious. I ask many questions.”
That’s why I like the way Greg asked questions.
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