Fire Safety

Tonight at dinner, Gillian told us about Health Class and how they practiced "stop, drop and roll." She also told us "If there's smoke then you gotta crawl. And if there's a fire then you don't go back to get your toys." I said "That's right, no matter what we don't go back in the house to get anything. Even Manket." I know. I shouldn't have said anything. She immediately started crying. I said "Don't worry, first it isn't going to happen and second if anything happened to Manket Grandma can always make you another one." This didn't seem to make her feel better. She continued to cry. So I said "Should we call Grandma?" She nodded and we called Grandma. Gillian asked "Can you make the same blanket?" Grandma didn't understand why she was asking this question. So I explained about the possibility of a fire and how Gillian was told to not go back for toys or anything. Grandma understood all the tears and told Gillian "Don't worry, if anything happens I will make you another blanket. I have the pattern and I will make sure we get the same green yarn." This made Gillian very happy. 

At bedtime Gillian snuggled her Manket and asked "Does Grandma have a clueprint?" (Yes, clueprint. That's how she said it.) I asked "A clueprint? For what?" She said "A clueprint for another Manket!" I said "Yes. Don't worry Gramdma has everything she needs to make another Manket." 

My Grandma's Birthday

Last Monday, was my Grandma's birthday. She would have been John and Gillian's great-grandmother. Unfortunately she passed away before Daddy and I got married. She never got to meet John and Gillian. But I know she looks down on us. I see a lot of her in my Gillian. 

Anyway after we went to the beach on Monday, we went to Grandma's house for lunch. After lunch we celebrated Grandma's birthday. We had cake, Dixie cups and M&Ms. It took awhile to explain to Gillian that we were celebrating MY grandma's birthday and not HER grandma's birthday. I told her all about how we would go to my grandma's house for birthday parties and we would get Dixie cups and she would save the plastic Dixie cups and fill them with M&Ms. 

Gillian enjoyed the celebration and would have made my grandma very proud. She ate every last bite of her ice cream. 

Beach day

John, Gillian and I spent the day at the beach with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Betty and Justin. When we arrived Gillian insisted on building a sandcastle. She also insisted on getting water to pour all over her castle. The boys had enough of her demands and ended up in the water. I then caught her smashing her castle. 

The boys spent the entire morning in the water with very limited breaks. 

Gillian dragged me to the water to hold her hand. She would get brave and drag me closer to the waves and then she would scream and run away. During one of her breaks, Aunt Betty read to her. 

We ended up dragging the boys out of the water.

We did have a fabulous day at the beach. 

Magic Shell

I made vanilla ice cream on Saturday.  This kids were super excited to try it out.  I also gave them the option of having Magic Shell on top of it.  For those who don't know, Magic Shell is chocolate that you pour over the ice cream and it hardens.  It always reminds me of my Grandma and I haven't had any in the house for a while.  So I said "Here's a special treat."  Gillian immediately told me "I've had this before.  At Grandma's house.  It's the best!"  I only put a little on their ice cream but they loved it just the same. 

On Sunday, they again were super excited to have more ice cream.  Gillian helped me out by shaking the Magic Shell bottle.  Of course I got it on video.

Cinderella

Gillian's favorite princess is Cinderella. She has loved her since she first watched the cartoon movie a few years ago. I captured one of my favorite pictures of Gillian experiencing the magic of Cinderella. 

When we were in Disney last year, she got to meet Cinderella. As a Mom, it was amazing to watch her interact with a real princess. 

I knew that Gillian would love to see the new Cinderella movie. I was a little nervous because it wasn't a cartoon. We decided to go Saturday. Gillian dressed in her Cinderella dress and gold shoes. The shoes. Let me take a minute and talk about the shoes. I was going to have her wear sneakers. But she insisted on her gold shoes. "I don't have Cinderella shoes. I need my fancy gold shoes!" 

Gillian and I met Aunt Betty and Grandma at the theater. They insisted on seeing her outfit right away. Gillian took off her dress and twirled. They oohed and aahed. Gillian decided "I want popcorn!" On our way to the concession stand, she lost a shoe. The timing was perfect. An employee of the theater saw Gillian dressed as Cinderella and that she lost a shoe too and broke into a smile. We got our snacks and headed to the theater. 

We were almost done with the previews when Gillian announced "I gotta go potty!" I knew there was going to be a new Frozen short before the movie started so I picked her up and ran to the bathroom. She did her business and we ran back. We made it just in time for the short to start. Whew! Gillian loved it. And then the movie started. 

The movie was great. It was probably a half hour too long for Gillian, but she enjoyed it all the same. I am glad I got to enjoy it with her, Grandma and Aunt Betty. Just the girls. 

A day at Grandma's

On Friday, the kids went to Grandma's house during the day. I woke up Gillian in the morning and all I had to say was "Today you go to Grandma's" and she sat up and there was no complaining. 

We got to Grandma's house and once they saw Aunt Betty and Grandma they forgot about me. Aunt Betty sent me a text in the middle of the morning. The kids had completed their first craft project. 

When I picked them up that night, I heard that Gillian got to go to the beach with Grandma and Aunt Betty. 

While the girls were at the beach, John was "babysitting" Grandpa. The girls came home and Gillian counted up all the rocks she found. Gillian loves rocks. It took her a couple times, but she determined that she found 21 rocks. John did not believe that Gillian could count to 21 and said "Well I can count to 100."

Gillian didn't want to leave. "I just want to stay here forever!" I'm so glad she had a good time with Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Betty. Don't worry Gillian you will get to go back again. 

'Cause

I snuggled up with Gillian tonight and watched her put her fingers through the loops on her manket (her favorite green blanket that Grandma crocheted). I don't even think she realizes she is doing it. It is just routine. I asked her "Why do you do that?" She said "'Cause, Grandma makes the loops. And my fingers fit." Hard to dispute that logic. 

Drop off

I dropped Gillian off at school this morning. When we walked in her classroom, Miss Lissette kneeled down and said "Do you know so and so from the kindergarten class? Well their mommy had a baby today! Baby Matthew. Isn't that exciting?" Gillian said "I like babies. Do you know I have a baby cousin? Baby Mackenzie!" Miss Lissette smiled and said "Yes. You love Baby  Mackenzie very much." Gillian then got off subject, and said "Do you know that my Grandma made a blanket for my stuffed animals and babies? And it's blue." Miss Lissette said "You are lucky that your grandma makes you things." I said "Oh, Gillian is obsessed with all the things Grandma crochets." Gillian then said "This is my Mom. And my Grandma is my Mom's mom. And do you know what? Her name is Grandma! Can you believe it?" Miss Lissette and I laughed. And I said to Gillian "You know Grandma's name. It's the same as mine." Gillian said "Oh that's right. It's Rose." She's so funny. 

Baby blanket - part 2

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Gillian and her little green baby doll blanket. Her baby blanket just fell apart and Gillian couldn't explain what happened. I washed the baby blanket and we showed Grandma. Grandma determined that it would be easier (and faster) to make a new blanket. Gillian got the new blanket on Friday. She was so excited, "Grandma made me a new baby manket! And I can use it for babies or stuffed animals. And it's blue. I always wanted a blue manket." She has been carrying around her pink fox with the blue blanket since Friday. I just checked on her. 

Notice her manket on her shoulder and new blue blanket covering her pink fox. I wouldn't be surprised to find pink fox on the floor in the morning and Gillian snuggled up with baby blue blanket. She loves a good blanket. 

Clap

Tonight Daddy and I had a conference with John's teacher. We asked Grandma and Grandpa to watch the kids while we were at the conference. When we arrived home, we found Gillian trying to spread blankets on the floor. I told her to put them away and that made Gillian very upset. Daddy calmed her down and talked to her. It turned out that she wanted to put on her dance leotard and dance for everyone. She was laying out the blankets for a stage. Daddy quickly changed her into her leotard and we watched Gillian dance. She did a few turns and then ran over to Johnny and whispered something. She also whispered to Daddy. Then she came over to Grandma and I and said "Clap!" So we clapped for her. She smiled big and continued to dance. She stopped, looked at all of us and said "Clap!" And we clapped. How could you not clap? She is quite the performer. 

Baby blanket

Gillian has a little green blanket that Grandma crocheted for her baby dolls. Gillian uses the baby blanket all the time. A few weeks ago, she brought it too me and said "Can Grandma fix it?" And she held up the blanket. 

I asked "Gillian how did that happen?" She said with a straight face "It did it all by itself!" We asked Grandma and she said she could fix it. I was supposed to bring it with us to the trunk or treat, but I couldn't find it. 

Today I was doing laundry and I asked Gillian to bring me her Mankets and to look for baby green blanket. She said "Cause it's broken. Grandma needs to fix it." She told me "I can't find it. I look everywhere." I looked for it, but couldn't find it. 

Tucked the kids into bed and about 45 minutes later, Gillian came into our room holding baby green blanket. "I found it. It was under my bed." I questioned her "Why were you under your bed, when you are supposed to be in your bed sleeping?" She didn't miss a beat and said "I didn't know." 

The fortune

Tonight I gave the kids a bath, John read books to Gillian, and I read a few pages of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Then the three of us snuggled in my bed with Gillian's manket. John decided to get his Grandma blanket so we could all get under it. After about thirty seconds, the kids got bored. John said "I wish we could build a fort." I said "Go for it." They went running to John's room. They were working for awhile when Daddy got home. Gillian heard the front door open and she greeted Daddy when he walked upstairs. "We're building a fortune!" she said proudly. Daddy questioned her "A fortune?" Gilly nodded and said "Yup. We're building a fortune in Johnny's room." Daddy said "Oh a fort, go help John." She ran away and about two minutes later they both were standing in our doorway. John said "You know what? We need some help building our fort." Daddy went to John's room to help out. 

Soon all I heard was giggles. I checked on them. Gillian proudly said "Daddy made our fortune! And we can watch movies in here!"

They played in their fort until bedtime. When I tucked John in bed, he was telling me "I want to make it so it's taller. That way we can bothe sit up in it." When I tucked Gillian in bed, she said "I wish I could have a fort in my room." I love that a simple fort made them use their imagination.  

Spike

Gillian has a stuffed dragon named Spike. Spike had a little cut on his neck. Last week, we asked Aunt Betty to take him home so Grandma could stitch him up. Before Aunt Betty could take him, Gillian had to give him lots of kisses and squeezies. When I tucked her into bed that night she said to me "I'm really worried about Spike!" I said "Don't worry. Grandma will take good care of him." She questioned "What's she going to do to him?" I said "She is going to stitch up his neck and make him feel better." She started to cry. And said "But he's going to he so scared. I'm really worried about him." I said "Don't worry. Aunt Betty will hold him while Grandma stitches him up." I asked John to talk to her. He told Gillian "Remember? Grandma fixed my Scorch. You want to sleep with him?" And she did. He made her feel better. 

The next morning the first thing she said to me was "I'm really worried about Spike." I again told her "Don't worry Grandma will take good care of him." While Gillian was at school, I received an update. Spike had his surgery and was very brave. Also while his neck was repaired, Grandma noticed another spot that needed to be fixed by Spike's ear. They even sent me a picture of the surgery to show Gillian. 

After his surgery, he rested on Aunt Betty's bed. 

When I arrived home that night again the first thing Gillian said to me was "Can we call Grandma? I'm really worried about Spike!" I showed her the pictures and we FaceTimed Aunt Betty. Gillian said "How's Spike?" Aunt Betty showed her where he was rested and said "He was very brave and he is resting now." Gillian wanted to talk to Grandma but she wasn't there. So she said "Thank you Aunt Betty." We didn't have to wait long and Grandma called us. Gillian said "Thank you." But she was also very concerned with when she would get Spike back. Grandma said "He's resting. He needs to rest before he comes home." And then Gillian said "Why's the light on then?" Grandma laughed and said "You're right. Let me turn off the light so he can rest." 

The next few days, Gillian would say "I'm really worried about Spike." Finally today they were reunited. 

She told me all about Spike's ordeal. "He was really scared. But Aunt Betty held him. He is still tired. He is happy to be back with me. And I can't even see where his boo-boo was!" I have one happy little lady!

Camp Show - take two

Today was the second day of camp shows at Briar Hill.  Since I am so close to camp, I had decided to go to go both days.  Today I asked Grandma and Grandpa to join me.  Aunt Betty also came, because we didn't actually get to see John perform yesterday.  We arrived at camp today and saw the end of the previous show.  Betty and I both said to Grandma and Grandpa, "When those parents move, we need to move to the front and get the first row."  Grandma looked at us like we were crazy.  But it didn't stop Betty and I.  We practically ran to the front.  We ended up getting seats right in front.  And the perfect view of my boy and the rest of the Hortons. 

When they were done, the announcer asked them "Do you want to do it again?" The kids all yelled a mixture of NO and YES!  We laughed.  Then the announcer asked the parents "Do you want to see it again?"  The parents of course said yes.  And the kids had to dance again for us.  They did a great job.  Afterward, we got a few pictures of the Hortons.  

Last birthday celebration

We spend the entire month of July celebrating the kids' birthdays. Today was our last birthday celebration. I brought pizza and cupcakes to Gillian's school. I arrived at school and Gillian came running up to me. "You made it! Look, here's my crown!" She was so excited. I had one more surprise, I brought a guest with me. Gillian saw Aunt Betty, smiled, then addressed her classmates and said "Aunt Betty!" So funny. She basically announced to the room that her aunt was there. 

The kids were amazing. We heard a lot of "Gillian's mom this" and "Gillian's mom that." I think Dorlisa was the best. She said "Gillian's mom, I got a new headband!" After I complimented her, she said "We got it at Target!"

The kids ate pizza. And then it was time for cupcakes. They all sang "Happy Birthday" (even Gillian). Most of the kids ate the icing off the top and were done. Not my Gillian. She said "I don't like the icing." So she just ate the cupcake and left the icing. 

Gillian asked "Are you going to take me home early?" I felt bad telling her no, but I had an appointment in the afternoon. Luckily for Gillian, Aunt Betty said she would take her. 

They left school and went cruising in Aunt Betty's convertible. They stopped at the park first.

Then they got ice cream. 

But they enjoyed the ice cream at Aunt Betty's house. When they arrived Gillian asked "Where's Grandma?" Since they had plenty of time, Aunt Betty took Gillian to the beach to see Grandma and Grandpa and play some games. 

Gillian won some prizes and made sure to set some aside for John. 

By the time Gillian came back home, she was exhausted. It was the perfect end to her birthday celebrations. 

The beach

Yesterday, John got off the bus and we got in the car and headed to Grandma's house. Then Grandma, John, Justin and I went to the beach. The boys talked about John's camp on our way to the beach. It constantly amazes me how well they get along. Justin is 11 and John is almost 7. The boys found the perfect spot on the beach and they headed right to the water. Justin was on his boogie board while John simply played in the waves. 

After playing in the water, John asked Grandma to help him build a castle. Well that turned into Grandma building the castle while John filled buckets with water. Grandma finished the castle and John dug a moat around it. He then tried to fill the moat with water from his buckets. 

They destroyed the castle, actually Justin did. But then he dug a really big hole. He may have gotten stuck. 

Justin got out of the hole and John got a chance to test it out too!

Then Justin asked "Can we go up to Gee-Gee's and get ice cream? I'll buy!" It's hard to say no to that. So they went up and got some ice cream. John got mint chocolate chip with rainbow sprinkles and Justin got chocolate brownie with chocolate sprinkles. Poor John, his ice cream was melting faster than he could eat it. And he kept spilling it on himself. 

After making a mess with the ice cream the boys went back in the ocean to clean off. They spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the ocean. 

John had a great day with his cousin and his Grandma. I also had a great time hanging out with my mom, my nephew and celebrating John's last day of school!

Jump Rope for Heart

In February, John's school participated in Jump Rope for Heart.  All the kids at school jumped during their Physical Education classes, but kids also had an opportunity to raise money to support the American Heart Association.  John was very excited about raising money and bugged Daddy and I non-stop about asking people to donate.  Thru John's persistence, he raised $385 for the American Heart Association. 

Last week, Daddy and I received a letter from Mr. Davis and Mrs. Landis.  John was one of the school's top fundraisers and we were invited to go to an assembly on Friday.  Daddy had court on Friday, but Grandma and Grandpa joined me.  We arrived early and found our reserved seats.  They got all the kids in the gym/cafeteria and the top fundraisers got to sit in the front.

We heard from the superintendent, and a representative from the American Heart Association.  We found out that MFA was number one in the Monmouth County for collections, third in the state of New Jersey and 9th in the country!  They handed out awards for the highest class in each grade level (John's class was the highest in the first grade). Mrs. Landis then announced that they were awarding the top three fundraisers in each grade.  They announced grade one.  There were two girls tied for third place and John was announced as the second highest fundraiser for the first grade!

I am so proud of him.  He walked confidently across the stage and wasn't afraid at all.

After all the awards were given out, then the teachers put on a little show for the kids.  They jump roped and danced.  The kids loved it.

Like I said before, I am very proud of my little boy.  But he couldn't have done it without the support of his family.  He had a lot of generous donors especially his Granddad, Grandma & Grandpa, Mimi & Poppy, Gigi & Pop-pop, Uncle Joe & Aunt Donna, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Trish, Aunt Katie & Bert, Aunt Betty, Uncle Bob, Uncle Jay, Uncle T & Aunt Missy and all the other donors.   

Grandma's house

The kids slept over Grandma's house on Saturday night. I went to pick them up on Sunday. John was not happy to see me. He said "Can I talk to you?" And he pulled me outside and aaid "You know, it's just the beginning of spring break. I thought I would get to stay longer." I told him that he would be back again on Tuesday. 

John spent today at Grandma's house with Sammie and Kyle. He looked exhausted when I arrived. They had a busy day. Even though he was exhausted he said to me in the car "Am I going back again tomorrow?" I'm so glad he had a good time with his cousins and grandparents. 

Bean's adventure

Gillian's school was closed today for an in-service for the teachers. I asked Grandma if she would watch Gillian during the day. Gillian was super excited to have a day at Grandma's all by herself. On Monday when Daddy picked Gillian up from school, Miss Patti asked Daddy "Is Gillian going to be in school tomorrow?" Daddy replied "Yes. Why?" Miss Patti said "Gillian told everyone that she was going to her Grandma's house." Daddy laughed "She is. On Friday when school is closed." 

This morning, I went to wake Gillian up. I whispered "Good morning. What's going on today?" Gillian opened her eyes and said "I going to Grandma's today!" As I got her dressed, she said to me "We go after I eat breakfast!" Gillian and I got John on the bus and went to Grandma's house. Gillian was super excited to see Grandma and Grandpa. She immediately asked for paper and crayons. She didn't even notice that I left. 

I went to pick her up this afternoon. She was hiding in Grandma's kitchen. When she saw me she said "Why are you here?" (Wow. Thanks Gillian.) She wasn't happy to hear that I was picking her up. "Can't I sleep over?" I told her that John and Daddy were waiting for us at home. While she was getting her stuff together, Grandpa and Grandma told me that Gillian was very good today. Gillian went to church, shopping with Grandma, watched "Rella" with Grandpa and colored with Justin. Sounds like a pretty awesome day. 

She was exhausted and fell asleep in the car. Grandma keeps you busy!

The scarf

Grandma made Gillian and I new infinity scarves. Grandpa gave them to me at work yesterday. I picked up Gillian and she saw that I was wearing my new scarf and she asked "New scarf?" I said "Yes. Yours is in the car." I gave her the new scarf and she said "I can put my fingers thru it. Like my manket!" I put it on her and she immediately put her fingers through the loops of the stitches. 

She loves her new scarf. Today we were leavin school and one of the teachers stopped us and said "Gilly, I love your scarf is it new?" Gilly nodded. I said "Grandma made us some new scarves." The teacher asked me "Is it one of those infinity scarves? It is beautiful." I tried to answer her, but Gillian talked louder than me. She said to me "You know who Grandma is? Grandma is your Mom!" We talked to the teacher for a few more minutes. And Gillian proudly walked out of school telling me "Everyone loves my scarf!"