Family Time
We canceled the Mother’s Day trip to see my daughter’s family because the kids caught some non-Covid virus from daycare. The entire family was not feeling well.
I rescheduled our trip for Memorial Day weekend. It is also my daughter’s and her hubby’s anniversary. Whenever we visit them, I offer to watch the kids so they can go on dates. Since this last weekend was their anniversary, they went on a two-day trip to the beach.
Mercy is a master planner. She made a comprehensive list of suggestions from breakfast to bedtime for us to go by. Even though I’ve been watching the kids for four and a half years, it helps to have her suggestions to fall back on.
Autumn has no problem with mommy and daddy going on dates or a short getaway. Nora is attached to Mercy. She was not happy to see mommy walking out of the door after breakfast on Saturday. Fortunately, I had a special treat for the girls to distract them, at least to calm down Nora.
It turned out that both Saturday and Sunday went smoothly. The girls painted the garden stones, read, and played together, but did something separately with grandpa and grandma. Grandpa is Nora’s favorite. Grandma is Autumn’s favorite. It is just perfect. It was easier for us to handle while they got our individual attention.
It was raining most of the day on Saturday and Sunday. Whenever the sun peeked out a little, we headed out to the school playground right away. One neighbor has some goats. Nora loves to feed the goats. The kids rode their bikes to the playground on Saturday and just walked there on Sunday.
There was something I tried to do this time around. I asked Lynton to read bedtime stories to Nora and put her to bed. Amazingly, it turned out to be a success. Yay!
It worked out perfectly because Autumn wanted me to read her many books. I could just relax to spend time with Autumn without worrying about Nora.
During the two-day trip, Mercy and Will went wine tasting, hiking, and strolling on the beach. They came home after a late-night movie on Sunday. I was happy that they had a wonderful time.
Monday was the Memorial Day holiday. We went on a family walk together. The girls rode their bikes, and Will rode his skateboard to keep up with the kids.
By the way, Lynton and I did the cooking for all the meals from Thursday to Tuesday. We tried to cook different main dishes, such as salmon, veggie & sausage casserole, pizza, and tofu. Lynton cooked mashed potatoes a couple of evenings. I cooked the same mixed vegetables. It turned out perfectly because we could eat what we normally eat at home. Mercy and Will loved to have some days off without doing cooking.
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The Showers of Blessings 
Oh, your pictures are adorable, Miriam. I just couldn’t help grinning at all that fun and those cute girls, you included! I just loved the photos of them with their books, of course! And all those happy smiles! I’m so glad you had fun with your grandies. Welcome home. 🙂
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You’re so kind, Diana! The grandkids bring so much joy and fun into our lives. I would love to live in their neighborhood so my daughter can drop the kids off. But hubby can’t stand the rainy days most of the year. He keeps talking about them and looks at the photos often in between our visits. In the meantime, we settle for frequent visits. 🙂 My daughter and I follow each other on Strava, the exercise app. She just post some photos of their afternoon walk from yesterday. The kids stop at all the Little Libraries on their walk. One photo shows the girls dropping their bikes and sitting next to the little library to read. 🙂 Hubby commented Portland is a good place to raise kids. 🙂
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Portland is a great city, but your husband is so right about the rain. For people who thrive on sunshine, it’s too gloomy. Usually it doesn’t rain into June, but this year… yeesh. I’m glad you get up here frequently though. The grandies obviously LOVE you. ❤
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What wonderful parents and grandparents you both are. A really uplifting read.
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Thank you so much for stopping by, Penny! We’re happy when the kids are happy! 🙂
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I can so relate to that, Miriam. ❤
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Yes, they make our lives meaningful, Penny. ❤
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This is wonderful Miriam. You gave them a wonderful gift to be able to get away for a while. And you got to enjoy the children.
Love the photos!
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Thank you, Dwight! The only time they can get away is when we watch the kids. It’s not easy to find babysitters and feel free to be away. It works out perfect for us to bond with the kids!
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It is a really great way to connect with the little ones.
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The kids prefer mom and dad when they’re around, so we asked to watch them by ourselves to connect.
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Thank you for sharing these wonder photos. You all look so happy.:-)
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Thank you for your reading and comment, Priscilla! The girls are at their cute ages! I’m glad we had fun with them! 🙂
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It looks like the perfect time. They are growing up so fast. Such precious pictures and moments together. Xo
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It turned out perfect, Denise! My daughter and her husband had a wonderful getaway. We had lots of fun with the grandkids! 😍
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love your family gathering and sitting Miriam. I sure hope I have the energy when my kids start having grandbabies. What a blessing! Great happy pictures! 💖💖
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They you, Cindy! My grandkids boost my energy! You may feel the same when the time comes. 💖💖
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Oh that’s so exciting to hear and I do hope so!!
💖💖🌹
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How nice that your grandkids have loving parents and grandparents. Looks like it was a win for everyone.
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I know you have the same experience with your dad, Pete! Teachers know how important it is to nurture young minds and souls. I bet you and your wife look forward to being grandparents!
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I’ve told you how dedicated I am to my exercise since I’ve been retired. One of the tricks I use to get myself going on days I am not feeling motivated is to imagine myself not being able to do things with my grandkids. Works every time!
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I do the same, Pete! I keep up with my exercise, stay healthy, wear mask so I won’t get Covid. I told my daughter they are my motivation. It works!
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What a wonderful post filled with love and joy. You have a beautiful family, Miriam. These are the moments that will be remembered long into the future. Sending hugs!
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Thank you very much for your kind comment, Rebecca! You’re right, we’re creating precious memories for us and for them. I’m glad my daughter loves taking photos as much as I, but not the guys! ❤
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What a beautiful family you have, Miriam! I have been on that Fanno Creek trail, and other trails in Tigard, where my cousin lives. I can’t wait to meet up with you in person when Marsha and I visit in September!
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The Fanno Creek Trail is wonderful, Terri! It feels like a world away yet it’s right next to the industrial buildings. People can hop on during their lunch break and still have plenty of time to take a bite before going back to work. I think it’s a brilliant idea. My daughter said it was expensive to build it. I understand why because of many bridges over the creek.
I look very much forward to meeting with you in person. We’ll have fun going to the Dahlia festival with Marsha and Cee. The fall colors will be gorgeous. My daughter and her husband are going to a wedding in north Washington. We’ll watch the kids for several days during the first weekend. Are you staying with your cousin? You’ll be very close to my daughter! 😊😍
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I’m really looking forward to girl time, LOL! I will check with my cousin soon. Today is the anniversary of her husband’s funeral last year.
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Sorry to hear that, Terri! Was your cousin’s husband ill? You still have time to check with her! I think I can use my daughter’s car. I can pick you up and pick up Marsha. I’ll let Marsha know also. Her brother (?) lives 7 miles from my daughter, I think.
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He had a heart attack, he was 58. I will be driving from Spokane area…about 5.5 hours. This will be fun!
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My brother-in-law died of liver cancer at 50. It was rough for my youngest sister. My nieces are grown, graduated from college and working. My sister has a boyfriend.
I drove between Seattle and Portland a lot.
Let me ask Marsha if she’ll rent a car. I’m excited.
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We will have a lot to talk about! I’m probably going to use my car to drive Marsha and me around. I think her brother is picking her up from the airport. So looking forward to this!
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That’s perfect, Terri. I’m glad it works out.
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Do you live in the Portland area? We also want to try to meet up with Diana Peach. I have to reach out to her.
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I came to Portland as a student in 1977. After finished school, I went to Seattle Pacific to study some more. I got a job in Portland to make pocket money. When I was in Seattle, I still went back to work on holidays.
Diana and I talked about meeting for coffee some time ago. It would be great if we could meet with her. I wonder if she wants to go to the festival. Why don’t you ask her!
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What a lovely family, dear Miriam! Sending blessings your way!
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Thank you very much for your kind comment, Dolly! I’m glad we see the grandkids often. They grow fast and I don’t want to miss the exciting moments!
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Nice that you could each get quality time with the kids. AND the big ones deserve time away to reconnect. A win win for everyone. Kids are adorable!
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Exactly, Donna! The kids prefer going to them when they’re home. We always ask my daughter and her hubby to go on dates so we could be with the kids by ourselves. It works out beautifully!
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So sweet… 💞 Wonderful photos and post, Miriam! Thanks for sharing. xo
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You’re welcome, Bette! Thank you for your kind comment! ❤
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Lovely pictures Miriam… you seem to have a wonderful time with your grandkids! Thanks for sharing.
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We had a wonderful time with the grandkids, Balroop! Thank you! I wish we lived close by them but the CA weather is better for us right now. The weathers in most of the states are crazy, we don’t know if our weather will get better or worse.
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This a great time to visit your with your family. These children looks so sweet and happy. Anita
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Exactly, Anita! I don’t want to miss seeing the greatest growth periods of these kids. In a few years, they’ll be busy with school and after-school activities. Thank you so much for your comment.
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Wonderful family time Miriam! And how awesome to do
All that cooking
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Haha, Yvette, I do for my daughter the things I don’t even do at home. My husband does all the cooking, wash dishes, and other chores. But I cook for my daughter, clean the kitchen, and load and unload dishes from the fish washer!! They work so hard taking care of the little kids. I just want to give them a break.
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Yes – and that is one of the BEST gifts to give them – a few acts of service when they are needed the most 😉
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That was something I wish to have when raising my daughter, working full time and going to school full time. 😊
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Your sweet post made me smile. So glad you had a nice trip. ❤️
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Thank you very much, Alethea! We had a wonderful time with the grandkids! We’re happy to see my daughter’s family happy. I’m glad the photos made you smile! ❤
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Aaah!I go all goosey when I see family pictures like yours, Miriam. Love mine the same. Aaah. Nothing like it. Warmest wishes to you all xx
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Thank you very much for your comment, Joy! I know families are different. One of my brothers didn’t want kids. He and his wife are retired. They go camping with friends and just sent me some camping photos this morning. Thank you for your good wishes! I’m glad you liked the pictures. Take care of yourself! ❤ ❤
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You are sent by God, Miriam. How wonderful for your entire family.
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I can write a long essay about what we’re doing, Jacqui! I was so busy with work and everything else when my daughter was growing up. It’s wonderful to be with the grandkids to create beautiful memories in their lives. My daughter bought me a journal “Tell Me Your Stories, Grandma.” I’ll write my stories with the grandkids in the last section. 🙂
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What a wonderful journal! I can think of so many directions that could go.
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I offered to make two copies, one for each grandkid. She said, one is good enough since it will be hand written. I don’t mind copy the same on a second copy. The two girls will have separate lives eventually.
She had three for me to pick. The one I picked has room for photos. All three start with childhood, growing up, adulthood, and others.
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What a beautiful family and it looks like you all had a lovely time 💜😂
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Thank you, Willow! ❤ 🙂
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Hugs 💜
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Hugs to you! ❤
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💜💜💜💜
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You have adorable grandchildren, Miriam! I’m happy you had a wonderful vacation. 🙂
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Thank you so much, Yevette! We have lovely grandkids. It’s always enjoyable to do fun things with them. We don’t want to miss their fast-growing time. It’s exciting to see them learning new things. 🙂
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What a beautiful family and it looks like you all had a lovely time.
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Thank you so much, Willow! Yes, we had a wonderful family time doing fun things!
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I am so pleased for you 💜
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Looks like you had a wonderful trip. You have a beautiful family, Miriam!
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We had a wonderful time with the kids, Teri! It’s a great joy for us to be in each other’s life!
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Looks like a lovely trip. Glad you got so much time with the kids.
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Thank you, Staci! It was three years ago when my daughter and her husband went on vacation for their anniversary. It worked out as far as rescheduling our trip. I was glad they could take a break and had a wonderful time. This was a good practice for us to take care of the kids at night. In a few months, my daughter and her husband will be on another trip and we’ll watch the kids for several days.
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Looking forward to hearing all about that experience! (You’ll have a blast.)
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We look forward to watching them by ourselves!
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How wonderful, Miriam. I like how you and your husband shared entertaining the children. Everyone looks so happy. You are building wonderful memories for the girls. You both deserve Grandparents of the Year awards!
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Hahaha, thank you so much, Darlene! You’re very kind to present us with the award. I’m glad Nora prefers to play with grandpa. The first time I put both girls to bed, I got stressed out! I was more relaxed this time around with Lynton’s help.
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It was so heartwarming to see such well-loved, happy little girls enjoying Grandma and Grandpa’s visit. Thank you for sharing the photos with us.
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Their happy faces give us much joy and happiness, Liz! We want to be part of their lives as much as want them to be part of ours! Thank you for your kind comment!
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Sounds like an idyllic long weekend!
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The weekend flew by so quickly, Peter! It was hard to leave. Good thing we go frequently.
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My aren’t the children growing 🙂
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I know, Brian! Every time we went, they grew an inch or more. I can carry the little one for too long. My arms get sore! 🙂
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What gorgeous grandchildren, they look so happily engaged in everything. So glad you had a nice family time. Toni x
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Thank you, Toni! Nora likes to copy the big sister. It’s good they can do the same thing together. We had a wonderful time with them! ❤
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I’m happy you had a nice visit with your beautiful family, Miriam. I loved the photos, especially the group shot! The girls are getting so big. Thanks for sharing. xo
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Even though we spent almost a week with the kids, it’s hard to leave! Autumn didn’t want us to go. We said “goodbye” to each other and hugged so many times. Thank you for your kind comment, Jill! ❤
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I hope all is good now and that Covid is out the window. Take care
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Good to see you, Garfield. We still have cases in different states, but nobody wants to go back to the mask mandates or lockdown. It’s up to the individuals and businesses. I wear masks when going shopping or to doctor’s office. Hope all is well you!
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Wearing mask is good. I do too although Singapore has relaxed a bit. I was just discharged after 44 days in Bates Motel. I had to fix my spine and shoulder again. Sigh!
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Oh, no, Garfield. Sorry to hear you spent 44 days caring for your spine and shoulder. Are these new issues or recurring problems? I hope you feel much better by now. Take care!
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