Peyton & Garrison Hit Clinton - and more - End of October 2017

Things got busy on Wednesday - Grandpa and I went to Overland Park to pick up the kids after he got off work and brought them home with us after Garrison finished soccer practice - leaving OP around 8 p.m., making for a late night, but the kids didn't have to get up early, so all was good.

On Thursday, the fun began!  We decorated small white pumpkins with fingernail polish in water, dipping the pumpkins in and the fingernail polish sticks to the pumpkin.  Bad news was that the fingernail polish stuck to everything else too - our hands, the side of the bowls, the sink - what a mess - but it was fun.  Had to use fingernail polish remover and acetone to get everything cleaned up.  Luckily I had put down newspaper on the countertop before beginning the project.

A week or so ago, the kids had baked cut-out sugar cookies, and I froze them.   Thursday morning we frosted and decorated them.  We took cookies - and Pupperoni - to visit Miss Debbie and SaraSue.and were given treat bags too.  Then we went to the Rotary chili lunch - the kids had a ball!  Their picture (and Grandpa's) ended up in the Clinton Daily Democrat Friday!  We then took a plate of cookies to the Fire Department where the kids were given a tour and met Blaze, their dalmation.  They got to ring the bell and sit in a fire truck - looking at all 5 trucks and seeing where the firemen sleep, eat and watch TV.  It was fun.  After we got home from there, they took cookies to Miss Esther and received a bag of candy each too!  Then it was to Miss Kelly's to see the new baby kittens - 5 in all.  They enjoyed holding them and seeing her bunnies too.   That evening, we fixed cocktail weenies wrapped in bacon for Peyton's birthday party next month.  They were tired Thursday night, and we got to bed by 8 p.m.

On Friday,  we made meatballs for Peyton's birthday party, making them small for the girls.  We baked them and took them home with us to freeze for the party.  She did a good job.  We also had a painting party, painting several Halloween pictures - they love to paint.  We went to the Aquatic Center when they opened at 11 a.m. - it had been a while since they had been there, and there was only one other lady and her 2 year old there, so they had the run of the place.  They loved the lazy river, and Peyton went down the huge slide that goes outside 10 times.  Garrison isn't tall enough yet for that slide but went down the smaller, indoor blue slide and had fun with that.  They are good swimmers.

We came home and had lunch - Grandpa was already home for lunch.  They went back to the bank with Grandpa after lunch, by request, and had a great time.  They came home to get me at 3 p.m. to go home with a bag full of goodies - silly putty, candy, key chains, suckers, etc.  They love to go to Grandpa's office.

We had planned to spend the night in OP, however, on the way up there, Amanda called and said that Garrison's soccer match scheduled for Saturday morning had been cancelled, so we just came on home after dropping them off.

Saturday was a day of household chores and watching TV.  On Sunday, I was guest organist at the Valley Center United Church of Christ near Lowry City.  David Maggi, our former minister, is attending there since he retired and asked me to play since their pianist was going to be gone.  He and his wife took us to lunch afterward at The Landmark in Lowry City for fried chicken.

I'm going back to Overland Park Monday morning to stay with the kids for their final day off from school in October - there have been several!  Looking forward to more fun times with my little sweethearts!

We are blessed.

Grammy Week at the Todds - October 2017

On Sunday, October 15, I drove to Overland Park to spend most of the week with Peyton and Garrison while Amanda and Chad traveled to Miami for a trip that Amanda was awarded through excellence at Sprint - so proud of her.

On Monday, the kids were happy that they could sleep later than normal and went to school later too. I ran some errands during the day then went to pick them up as walkers after school.  We had Papa Murphy's pizza for dinner, Peyton did her homework, and we baked banana bread.  Peyton did most of the banana bread by herself with some assistance from Garrison.  We took Garrison to soccer practice at 6 p.m., and we ran into Peyton's friend, Claire, taking her brother to the same practice, so Claire came home with us to play with Peyton until after practice.  They had warm banana bread and apple juice for a snack and enjoyed playing outside.  Soccer practice was supposed to be over at 7:30, but when I looked outside a little after 7, it was almost dark, so we decided to go get Garrison and Claire's brother, Will, early - good thing we did - it was over!  We took Claire and Will home and then went home ourselves.  Garrison enjoyed his banana bread snack - 3 large pieces in fact - before they went to bed at 8 p.m.  Day one - all is well.

Tuesday, we did the same morning routine adding practicing math flashcards for Peyton that morning.  After school, Peyton stayed for Girls on the Run, but I picked up Garrison as a walker.  We had a blast playing outside before it was time to go get Peyton.  After dinner, Peyton had volleyball practice - Claire's mom transported her both ways for that.  The picture of Garrison looking out the window is him watching for Peyton to get home - so sweet.  He had had his shower and had his pjs on - ready for bed.  She came home, had a snack, a shower, and then they went to bed.  Day 2 - all is well.

On Wednesday, same morning routine.  I packed Garrison's snack in Peyton's backpack and vice versa - they thought that was funny.  I picked them both up as walkers, and we went to Burger King for dinner and play before Garrison's final baseball game of the season at 5:30 p.m.  He had a great game - 3 hits!  Peyton had a good time playing with her friend, Hailey, who's brother is also on the baseball team.  Home for snack and bed.

Thursday was the day Mom and Dad were coming home!  The kids were excited.  Amanda and Chad caught a ride on the corporate jet instead of flying home commercially, so they arrived home much earlier than planned.  I took Happy Meals to school to have lunch with Garrison.  He introduced me to all his friends at school, and we had a good time having lunch together.  I went to Hyvee and Price Chopper and drove home.

Mary had nerve surgery on her knees - was a success, and she will have a more permanent procedure in a couple of weeks.

Amanda and Chad had a great time in Miami - don't they look great dressed up!  I had a wonderful time with the grandkids - a true blessing to have so much time with them.

On Saturday, Ron and I went back to Overland Park for Garrison's soccer match and Peyton's final volleyball game of the season.  We all went out to lunch at Sunset Grill - yummy.  They were having a party for all the baseball coaches and their families that night, so we came on home when the kids went upstairs for their quiet time.

Sunday - I played the gathering music at church and the piano with Sam during the service.  We had stuffed pork chops and baked potatoes for lunch.  Went to my P.E.O. hayride at Highbank, Gus and Susie Wetzel's cabin, at 4 p.m.

A big week - we are blessed.

Mid-October 2017

On Monday, October 10 - Ron had the day off for the celebration of Columbus Day.  We went to KC and stopped at Martin City for lunch at Margarita's.  I had the 3rd and final "gel" shot in my left knee.  Thursday, October 12 was Mom's 89th birthday - celebrating in Heaven.  Miss her terribly.

Kids out of school on Friday, so I drove to OP very early for a fun day with them.  We baked Halloween cupcakes - went to Scheel's and rode the ferris wheel.  They also bowled on the mini-lanes at Scheel's.  Peyton needed running shoes for Girls on the Run, so we bought her some of those, and she also found some Under Armor fun tennis shoes for school.  Not to be outdone, Garrison also found some Under Armor tennis shoes.

By request, we went to Burger King for lunch - we all 3 ate for $6.75.  What a bargain!  I had a coupon, and I think they made a mistake on our bill.  We also shopped at Target for a birthday present for a party Garrison was going to on Saturday and bought things for them to "Boo" another family.

On Saturday, Ron and I went to OP.  Ron and Chad played in a golf tournament in Lee's Summit - a benefit for a former co-worker of Chad's.  They had fun until hole #16 when it started pouring down rain.  They ate dinner there -soaked - and were home around 7 p.m.

Amanda, the kids and I went to Garrison's soccer match - to Slim Chickens for lunch - and then home for Amanda to take a conference call.  Garrison was tired and cranky from the sleepover he had on Friday night and said his brain hurt - I think he had a headache.  He volunteered to take a nap, so we knew he didn't feel well.  Amanda woke him up for the birthday party but he said he didn't feel like going.  He snuggled with me for an hour which is unusual too.  Peyton read and practiced her math on the computer - Amanda ran some errands.   Peyton and I baked sugar cookies.

The 3 of us plus Victoria, Peyton's friend, went to Peyton's two volleyball games.  Peyton played well and received her participation medal and had team pictures.

We drove home in the pouring rain and lightening.  Tornado watch but no warning.   Got a good night's sleep.

No church on Sunday - played catch up from being in OP two days - laundry and lots of fun stuff.  Fixed pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans for lunch on Sunday - will have leftovers for Ron for the week.

I will go back to  OP Sunday afternoon to stay until next Thursday - Amanda and Chad are going on a trip to Miami - a trip Amanda was awarded at work.

We are so blessed - lots of family time and memories.

End of September 2017

Peyton and Garrison had a day off school on September 22, so Ron took the day off, and we both went to Overland Park to spend the day with them!  Peyton made slime - they each made a Halloween decoration that I had taken to them - we played games - ate lunch at Burger King, by request - and played outside.  We offered to take them to Science City - Deanna Rose - KC Zoo - but - they just wanted to spend the day around home.

After lunch, Ron and Garrison went to see the new Lego Movie at the theatre while Peyton and I ran errands.  She had a blast at Hyvee sacking my groceries - all of them.  She felt so big!  The checker was very kind to her and let her do it by herself.

After Chad and Amanda arrived home from work, we all went to the Blue Valley Northwest Football game.  Peyton had participated in a cheerleader camp the week before, and all the girls "cheered" during the first quarter of the game.

On Saturday, Ron went to Methodist Men, and then we went to Mat and Andrea Thornton's wedding at Platte Woods and the reception following at the Marriott Courtyard - Dennis and Debbie Sieger rode along with us to the wedding - fun time.

On Sunday, we went to Don and Brenda Eaton's house to watch the Chief's game and have football food with the group we had watched the game with the week before.

Monday, Ron and I went to Overland Park to get the first of three gel shots in my "good" knee.  Hopefully they will help with the pain.   We had lunch at Culver's and shopped at Sam's Club.

I received my first Social Security check on Wednesday - am I old now?

We traveled to OP again on Saturday, 9/30, for Garrison's soccer match and Peyton's volleyball game.  We took the family out to lunch at Coach's to celebrate Chad's birthday a little early on 10/16.  They will be in Miami for his birthday.  Ron played outside with the kids, helping Peyton with her volleyball skills.  Amanda had a work conference call at piano lesson time, so I got to sit with Peyton at her lesson and met her new teacher, Mr. Jeffrey.  He was very nice - a little eccentric - and I liked his teaching methods very much.  Peyton did a GREAT job at her lesson and is progressing nicely.  She sight reads music very easily and is doing a fine job.

Garrison has improved so much with his soccer skills and scored a goal.  He truly has fun with whatever he is doing.  Peyton also showed great improvement at volleyball and was very successful with her serves - she served the winning point on two of the three games they won!  She was so excited they won 3 games and that she got most of her serves over - at one point 4 in a row!!!!  The whole team is improving each week.

Fall housekeeping continued on Sunday, October 1 - we even skipped church.  The windows and all the blinds are cleaned now along with the vents, etc.  Ron will grill steaks for our lunch and some hamburgers and hotdogs for the week.

We are very blessed - family time is the best!