Papa's Are Important Too

When Papa is not working, he tries to have fun with the grandkids. The constant question NanaGG has to answer is "When's Papa coming home?" since he works out of state generally. It can be difficult, but the great thing is, they know him, they know he loves them, and he's always ready to play! Way to go Papa!

A for Effort

Here's the deal, a person has to learn when to cry U-N-C-L-E. I've yet to learn so I end up with some mishaps. Here's my latest.

I had an adorable rocket ship cake for Gabe's 4-year birthday party. It was a flat cake that would have been so pretty! But, Gabe insisted his rocket ship didn't lay flat. "Rocket ships go up, Nana," he said.

So I tried, okay. What else can Nana's do? While he seemed thrilled, I was less than ecstatic about my attempt to have my cake 'go up.'

I'm practicing saying Uncle!

Things Your Kids Remember

There were many times when my girls were younger that I would wonder if they would remember a particular moment. Times I thought were special. Like the trip to Cades Cove where we picnicked and they ran with kites through the fields on a beautiful fall day. Or huddling on a beach in Florida and listening to one of Rusty's ghost stories. But no, surprisingly, those memories aren't there.

But they all remember watching the Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol video at least a thousand times. I'm not sure who plays Scrooge, maybe Donald Duck? But somewhere on it, Pluto ski's off the huge snowy slope and it's a big scene they all remember.

All those times I tried to create a memory and this is what I get? Hmnnn?? Anyway, I am going to my daughter, Rebecca's, this afternoon to watch a movie with the grandchildren. I asked Rebecca what I should bring. Yes, you guessed it, I spent last evening at Blockbuster trying to find Mickey's Mouses Christmas Carol in DVD.

Being a Confidante Can Be An Eye-Opener

My granddaughter spent the night recently. It's no secret she's got a special place in my heart. Micaela is six going on sixty and has a heart bigger than her little body can really hold. She has often been an inspiration to me. Apparently, her mom had experienced a tough time on the day I picked Micaela up. Micaela and her brothers did not want to clean up the mess they had made. Let's just say her mom had to vocalize a little more than usual! Micaela confessed to me just how bad this made her feel. The expression she used broke my heart and pierced it with truth!

Unfortunately, it reminded me when I used to 'vocalize' with my own children (her mom being one of them). I wish so much that I had possessed better parenting skills! Yes, I'm afraid I did way more yelling back then than I would like to admit. I can only hope more positive behaviour was passed along too!

Her mom is the best mom I know. Let's be encouraging of all moms of little ones and let them know it's okay if everything isn't just perfect!

Aidan Miles Shepard Is Here

He's a little charmer. Aidan was born September 19th at 6lbs. 4 oz, 17 1/2 inches long and suffered the indignity of having his hair first brushed with a toothbrush! The nurses couldn't quit fooling around with his gorgeous head of hair. At first it was almost black like his daddy, but now almost four weeks later, it has lightened up to be more like momma's.

Aidan had a tough time to begin with. He worked really hard learning to nurse. Just when he got the hang of it, he had to quit since his momma, Leslie, had to go back in the hospital. But, he figured out that nipple on the bottle was pretty darn easy and now he's getting to be a little bit of a chunky fella.

It's pretty obvious NanaGG is one of his favorite people! He listens very intently when she talks to him and tells him that he is to love her the bestest! (after Momma and Daddy, of course)Aidan is my sixth grandchild and my fourth grandson. I love it! And I love him!! He's a keeper.

OhAh and other strange language

Asher has expanded his language a lot in the last month or so. He has turned two and decided he does like to talk. He is actually stringing several words together to form cohesive sentences. It's fairly easy to understand as long as you are in the know on his use of the phrase 'ohah'.

As in... "Let's go to Nanaohahs." "Nanaoah, give me cookieoah." "Gabey's is thereohah." Get it. Ohah. By the way, "What's that noiseoah" is one of his favorites.

I just like to hear him speak in his little deep voice. It's like he's purposely lowering his voice to speak like a boy. A very deep sounding boy. And now we get a peek inside his little mind. How he see's the world. Asher notices everything and adores his brother. I adore Asher!

Nana's Unite Everywhere

I've always believed in the power and wisdom of the aged teaching the younger. In the aftermath of September 11th, that belief has been made even stronger. We Nana's, Grandma's, Granny's, Mimi's, and Nona's have much to offer our children, grandchildren, and any young person we encounter in our daily path.

The world is truly a scary place. There are terrorists who wish to harm our people in our own land. Our children hear this every day if any type of media is within their hearing. There are pedofiles and predators who would like to abuse our children. We are forced to try and warn our young of these types of human beings. Often, to children who should not have to try and understand such evil when their minds and hearts are so much innocent.

I say we caretakers of the young should unite! Your child is my child and my child is yours. To all those who would harm them in any fashion- be warned! There is nothing fiercer than a Nana protecting their young!