Willa Cooks For Us

It was almost time to begin dinner Monday. Willa wanted to help G'ma, so she got dressed for the kitchen and found her cooking tools.

Then she began cooking for us.

She set her fruits and veggies on the couch

asked for some extra bowls and a spoon

G'Pa got a mushroom and garlic

She gave Mommy the leek, but Mommy suggested she cut it up as it was so big

Willa laid the burp cloth on the table (cutting board), 

took the wooden spoon and pretended to slice the leek.

Oh, so dang Cute and Smart!

I am not sure if I am downloading the videos correctly, 

so here is the same video downloaded another time.

Marek's Solo Performance

Marek is awake for longer periods of time and beginning to track voices and movement since we last saw him. I was able to get some photos of just him during our Monday visit.

 Look at those big eyes

I'm paying attention, G'ma

 Mommy & Marek hanging out

Sleeping in the swing during dinner 

 The camera flash woke him up

Time to say good-bye


Two videos posted two different ways...

A Day with the Grand Kids

I apologize to my faithful followers about the lack of some new posts the past week. It was a busy week without many photo ops. Today made up for it. We spent the afternoon with the G'Kids and their parents. There is material for several posts this week. Each g'kid should be able to have their own day of posts in fact.

I will start with a post of both of them. I had laid Marek on the sofa so I could take some pictures. He was wide awake and not fussing...perfect opportunity. Big sister came along with a blanket to cover him and before I knew what was happening, I got this:

Marek is a couple days past 5 weeks old. He is more active when he is awake and is trying to watch his sister in this video, but she moves so fast he looses her. She knows I have the camera running so halfway through she is saying, "Cheese!" Willa is 27 months old.

She was touching his cheeks and talking softly to him.

I think this was another "Cheese!"

She went to the above sitting/propped position to laying down. 

His eyes tried to keep up with her movements!

Look at Marek's eyes trying to follow Willa in this series of still photos. Too funny watching her interacting with him.

It was a delightful afternoon. We get to do it again on Thursday!

Same video posted in a different:

A Little Road Trip

While visiting my mother last week, she suggested we have lunch in a nearby ND community known for their German cooking. She heard the strudels were excellent; the best around. Hubby being all German was happy to oblige and take a little road trip.

 We think the cafe is 'owned' by the town and run by

volunteer community women

 The elevator, post office, community owned 

grocery store and bar were the businesses.

 I did not take pictures of the strudel dinners the three of us 

enjoyed. In fact they disappeared so quickly, I did not think

of grabbing the camera until dessert. The strudels were what 

I would call dumplings, but it was the lightest, airiest, most yummy

dumplings/strudels I have ever eaten.

Hubby chose lemon pie for dessert.

Mom and I chose rhubarb.

Delicious. Thin, flaky, firm crust with yummy

filling and mile-high meringue.

Those volunteers are excellent cooks & bakers!

We were the last customers to get strudels. Our 'elderly'

waitress told us they make a lot of take-out meals for 

the area farmers. They never know the demand for the 

German meals. Mom said her friends get there at 11:00 AM

to make sure they get the lunch special. I understand why.

But the focus of the community is their church.

The German Catholic community was founded in 1902.

Two wrought iron crosses from the cemeteries are on

the Historical Register of Historic Places. We, however, 

did not see them. The church was magnificent for a community 

with a population of 71, 40% of whom are over the age of 65.

FYI: population in 1910-183; 442 people in 1940.

Garden Bounty

The garden is beginning to produce...

love the fresh veggies this time of year.

 

The Grand Kids

A trip to Sioux Falls on Monday allowed for a stop to see the grand kids. It had been a week since we had seen both of them. We missed Miss Willa of course, but we also know how quickly Mr. Marek changes. 

 Say 'cheese'

 Willa hamming for the camera & G'ma

 Spending some time with Daddy

 More active & alert at 3 weeks

 OK. Enough already

 Eating her veggie burger

which were yummy by the way

More Fun From the Park

Here is a short video of Miss Willa and Grandpa at the park last Thursday. 

Thrift Store Finds

In preparation for Miss Willa's visit last week, I went shopping at the local thrift stores looking for some little girl toys. I don't do thrift store shopping often, but when I do, I find some really good deals.

I found quite a few 0-3 month onesies for Marek and a few other items, but it was mostly things for Miss Willa. I had as much fun shopping as she did playing. I did not take any pictures of her with the items on Sunday as that was the day she played with the babies. The Playschool toys took precedence after that.

 Every little girl needs a dress-up dress. 

She loved wearing it.

I got these three items for less than $3.00

Thank you to the little girl who no longer needed it.

 I bought some smaller receiving blankets, too.

She kept busy covering the babies with blankets.

I also found this little cradle. 

Auntie's 'old' doll fit perfectly.

She wasn't into undressing and redressing the dolls,

 but sure loved playing with all the blankets. 

The babies took LOTS of naps.

 She really enjoys her riding toy G'ma Liz found. I found this one.

We cleaned it up and 

Miss Willa recognized it as a wagon. She wanted to be 

PULLED while sitting on it! 

Maybe next time she will pull her babies?

This doll was the only NEW item I bought.

My granddaughter deserved her own doll at Grandma's house.

She/he is almost the same size as baby brother...18 inches long.

She/he moves the mouth when drinking from the 'magic' bottle and giggles.

Premie baby clothes fit perfectly.

There are some really cute premie baby clothes!

Maybe the next outfit will be boy clothes?

It seems to be unisex in appearance.

And a photo of the grand dog.

He didn't get any new toys, just lots of attention.

 

Playing at the Park

We took some time to visit the park last week with Miss Willa. I am not sure who had the most fun...Willa or Grandpa! The 90 minutes playing led to a 2 1/2 hour nap.

 Ready to go

 Going down the twister slide

 Climbing the steps

 At the top of the slide

 Waving to Grandma

Sunday with the Kids

It isn't often our kids are together due to distance and busy schedules. Sunday was one of those rare occasions, so I took advantage of the family afternoon. Auntie met her nephew and played with Miss Willa.

 Grandpa & Marek

 Willa reading to us

 Auntie & Willa looking at photos

 Willa, Mommy & Daddy looking at pictures of Marek

 Willa getting some ice cream, a special treat

 Willa & Grandma doing puzzles

Daddy getting some Marek time

This is a movie clip of Willa looking at the book

"Oh, the Places You Will Go"

but reading some of the words from

"Marvin K Mooney, Will you Please Go Now"

both Dr. Seuss books.