February Grandkids on Review: Part THREE

Proceeding on to my chronicling of

February quality time with all the 

grandchildren, it's Claire and Evan's

turn again. This was on a special Friday.

Evan shows Grandma Claire's "Bingo" puppy dog
  puppet.  We have resolved  to create more paper
sack puppets one day soon.

Claire loves the way her rocking horse moves
about on their hardwood floors.  That thing had
better be glad she doesn't have spurs!

During our day together, we took the kids to Camelot
Park not once, not twice, but three times.  We had
our reasons.  Here, Evan and Grandma survey their
kingdom from on high.

No backseat drivers here.  They're both steering
for all they're worth.  Out of our way!!

Grandma offers prove that sliding is for all ages.
Well, actually, grandpa is the only one who didn't slide.

Claire's always up for action.

While Evan is a little more reluctant.

"I'm with you, Grandpa.  We need to act our age!"

At two-and-a-half, Claire can navigate
every playspace Camelot has to offer.

The kids call this "the trampoline."  It is bouncy,
and Evan wisely waited until Claire had moved on
before he climbed aboard.  But actually, she did
rejoin him later and they both balanced very well.

If you haven't visited Camelot Park, you're missing
one of the great free resources for families in the
Pinehurst area.

This shot doesn't just feature Claire swinging: it's a
closeup of her glow-in-the-dark airplane shirt.  That
gets worn almost every day it's not in the laundry.
She should wear it out about the time she's ready for
the next size up.

These final two photos demonstrate that the Ev-man
is always smiling.  Whether sailing through the air . . .

or driving SOLO for the first time.
Put the pedal to the metal, Evan!

More February pictures still to come.  If you're too
busy to view them, I'll look at them a little extra for you.

February Grandkids on Review: Part Two

Next, it's Brianna and Hunter's turn to show

their particular variety of fun in February.

(See previous post for Claire and Evan)

Celebrity tree-walkers always have time to
smile for the camera.

And what is this rare occurrence?
Hunter?  Taking a nap?  At Grandpa's
house?  Must be an alternate universe!

Kitty Cat is content to guard the sleeping toddler.
Since there are no sleeping dogs (thankfully).

Yes, it's official.  Five weeks till the Braves home
opener.  Hunter was born with the baseball gene.

Yeah, let's get down with a little music.
Bri plays the harmonica and Hunter
plays everything else.  How eclectic.

Well, if I'm gonna be a musician . . . .

Grandma, I don't have to go incognito for you.
Got a banana?

Hunter's in bed and reading time is all for Bri.

Hunter happened to remember that March Madness
comes before baseball season.  And he has a wide
variety of balls to practice with.

IN YOUR FACE!  Now play "Rocky."

Hunter's getting ready to take Grandpa's car out
for a little spin.

Grandpa, are you sure these are the keys?
Looks more like an air pressure gauge to me.

Bri is making cornbread.  And how many chefs do
you know who can cook on the floor without
bending their knees?  That's what I thought.

C'mon, Baby Jingle.  Gotta eat your peas
 and carrots to keep your strength up.
(These are a couple of our "outdoor" babies--
that once belonged to Jennifer and Amanda.)

The woodpile yields the first beetle since winter
began.  And the children just can't wait to see
if he likes the Sit 'n' Spin.
(He was glad to go back to the woodpile.)

Hunter believes that a true sports enthusiast works
on his "shot" indoors and out.

Creative gadget of the week:  this old top to an
appliance hooks over the top of a folding chair
and provides a bright, sturdy background for
our magnetic alphabet.  

I knew '73 Mercuries would be cool again one day.
Who knows, Bri may be driving it when it turns
over 300,000 miles in a few years (279k, so far).

Hunter, I hope you realize if I was actually driving
I wouldn't be able to see the road because of you.

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Okay, everybody.  Time to check blood pressure,
listen to heartbeats, and give shots.  Oh, yes,
GIVE SHOTS!

Before she can go home, Brianna insists on perching
in the dogwood tree Amanda and Jennifer once
climbed-- to get on the roof!

Yes, I'm buckled.
Yes, I know about the "open container" law.
Well, at least I'm not texting, am I?

Well, folks, I'll see you real soon with
even MORE February pictures!  I can't help it!

February Grandkids on Review: Part One

Almost a full month has flown by since I blasted my readers

with all my January pictures.  I'm going to spread February's 

load over multiple blogs and over the next few days.  I've got

other topics I'm excited about writing about soon, too.

Evan works on a stir-fry: "Don't you think it could use
a little more sand?"

Claire has more variations on swinging than any child I know.

Caption 1: "Change is good."
Caption 2: "Change is coming."

We couldn't buy a better toy than this washing machine box
which is well into its third month of use (because I store it
in the garage between grandkid visits.

The irresistible force meets the immovable object.
Your guess as to who will prevail?

Jennifer tries my trick of pulling two vehicles with one rope.
They're headed down to our new climbing tree, a fallen pine.

When Evan sees a camera, his whole face says "CHEESE."

Here's the famous climbing tree.  It won't be long before our
daredevil grands insist on trying to negotiate it solo.

Talk about perfect timing.  Just as Jennifer was pulling
out of our driveway, friends Grace and Dre with children
Elizabeth and Amelia were pulling in for a surprise visit.
Jennifer circled back in and we had an instant mini-playdate.
Amelia and Dre test the swing.

Elizabeth wants to know where she can buy one of these.

Grace, Judy, and Evan.  Three guesses as to which one is expecting.
Oh, I hope it wasn't a secret.

I salvaged a strip of vinyl siding with raised edges to use for
a Hot Wheels racetrack.  Claire starts the blue bus on its way.

And Evan meets it at the station.  Teamwork.

This was as nice a little reunion as you could ask for.
Loyd and Taylor girls are intent on populating the world
with high quality chillun.  And succeeding.

Next post will feature Brianna and Hunter.

This Blog's for You: Mr. Loyd's Class of 1978-79

I am proud to present the 3rd and 4th grade class I taught in 1978-79.  Mary Ann Wray was my teacher assistant that year, my fourth year teaching.  It was a memorable year and I occasionally see many of my students around Moore County.  Others have been in touch via Facebook or by e-mail.  Some attended my big retirement party in 2008.

Are you in this picture?  Are some of your friends?  How about one of your PARENTS!?  I'll be posting this on Facebook and would love to see comments from any of you who come across this post.  Some names are below the picture.

Now I've thrown caution to the wind and updated

this blog with last names.  No offense intended --

if the IRS is after you or you're in the witness

protection program, etc.

Mr. Loyd * Jay Maples * Gerald Yost* Sean Barnes

Keith Millikan * Ms. Wray * Teresa Armstrong * Kelly Hall

Ashley Oldham * Sonya Jones * Charles Smith

 Mark Garner * Joy Whitaker * Hope Prim

Leigh Ann Priest * Penny Minor * Sherry Locklear

April Braddock * Melony Caddell * Gina de Pasquale 

Kelly Hill * Melvin Malloy * Jimmy Patterson 

 Michael Lewis * Travis Blue

Jimmy Sadler *    William Marsh   * Mark Boger

Hope some of you have fun with this.  Leave comments here or on Facebook.  I'll be posting about other classes of mine in random order.  Make a request if you want YOUR class moved to the front of the line!