A Heap of Catchin' Up on the Grandkids

There's so much going on around here it's

easy to fall behind on blogging about our

fun with the grandkids.  But it's my duty

to thoroughly document that we're having

all the fun allowed by law, so let's get to it.

Evan is a multi-tasker, directing his dump truck and
bulldozer while also working with his place-kicker.

Enter Claire, stepping lightly.  But is she a
princess or a fairy?  Who knows?

Grandma takes a shortcut into the dogwood tree.
The kids prefer the ladder.  Taller ladders and
taller trees await them.

Move over, Grandma.  I'm coming for a visit.

Don't forget me!

Trees are handy for just hanging around, too.

We need to raise these rings, Grandpa.

... 'cause I'm not little anymore!

A couple of days later, it's Family Night at the Kirby's
house.  When four kids all want to bless the food you
have to be very patient.

I thought I told you boys No more laughing!
Oh, well.

Allow me to introduce Princess Merida (Claire) on
the left, and the Butterfly Queen (Bri) on the right.

Stop that laughing right now!
And I mean it!

No more laughing!
It's against the rules!

Wow, it's pretty hard to catch these four perpetual-
motion machines all in one picture!

Grandpa, what does Hunter mean,
"Look out below!"?

Good thing these girls have their real hair, not wigs,
because they're flying sky high!

Where's Evan?  It's almost bedtime.

Here I am, Grandpa!  But I'm not sleepy!
(Yeah, right)

Back to normal babysitting the next day

Bri was the first to try out the vintage "Cootie" game.
For one buck, and never even opened!

It's been a while since any of the kids had sat on
this kiddie keyboard, so I didn't realize that even
the boys had outgrown it.  But Hunter was really
rockin' up a storm.

Then he sort of segued into the Fisher-Price instrument-
making kit, a favorite of Jennifer and Amanda a
generation ago.  It's in perfect shape, and Hunter can
use it for more than just music.

With his invention he can switch from flute to
kazoo in seconds.  I was his tootin' tutor.

Grandma and Bri have an exciting basketball game
underway in the living room.  And Hunter arrives in
time to jazz it up with . . . bubbles!
Pay attention, NBA.

Mommy's here to pick us up.  Think fast, Bri and
Hunter.  Go into "delay" mode.  Will it be airplanes,
music, a video, the swings, a snack, or what?
All's fair in love and war.
And this is all about LOVE!