Winning and Losing...a hard lesson

 

Hey Buddy,

I'm adding this story about you because you won't remember it but I will never forget it.  This is a checker board.  Checkers is a very old game (even older than Diva).  Emma wanted to know how to play the game.  The object of the game is to "jump" the other person's checkers till they don't have any more left.  You like to win, so does your cousin Emma. 

Years ago when I first learned to play Checkers I first learned a variation of the game called "Give Away".  The object is to make the other person jump your checkers and be the first one to have none left.   This game teaches you how to set up moves on the board and helps you learn defensive moves when you play Checkers.  This is the game I am teaching you in this picture.

You were very quick to learn "Give Away" so it wasn't long before you wanted to play "the real game" with Emma.  Checkers is a harder game to play and it involves getting your checker to the other side of the board so it can become a King.  Once the checker is a king it can move in all directions.

Remember you are only 5 in this picture.  Emma quickly dominated the game and had many "kings".  You my love, were losing and most of your checkers had already been taken off the board.  You looked over at me with tears in your eyes and said,  " But Diva , I want those checkers to play too."  Needless to say, the board accidentally fell off the table shortly after that heartfelt statement ( by  your very clumsy Diva) so the game ended in a draw.  There are no losers in this family.

Happy Independence Day

Hey Buddy,

Happy 4th of July.  Diva and Poppa are so happy to have all our grandchildren together to celebrate the birth of America.  This is your cousin Emma's first time to be in America during Independence Day.  Here we are with all of us decked out in Red, White and Blue.  I love this picture because your Mommy wanted everyone to smile so she said, " Say Donuts" and that made every one smile except Henry who wanted to leave and go get one right away (see how he is trying to get down from Poppa's lap !)

We got to grill out in the backyard and you even had your very own Kid's Table.  I love that you are giving us "the thumbs up" signal that the hotdogs meet your approval.  Henry thinks he is a big boy so is all smiles.

Your Daddy set off fireworks in the backyard that evening.  They were very loud and Charlie didn't like the noise so is covering his ears.  Henry liked the noise and the pretty colors.  You wanted to help Daddy light them off  but Mommy says you have to be older before you can help.

These are called "Black Snakes" they start off round.  Once you light them they burn and the ashes look like a black snake.  The most surprising and funny fireworks your dad got was  called the Poopy  Puppy.  When he lit it it went off with a big bang that scared him and all of us and then a string of black ashes came out of the puppy's back side. ( So it looked like the Puppy had a poop).  You thought it was the funniest thing you had ever seen.  Poppa laughed and laughed.

 Do you remember the tank?  It had firecrackers in the back so they went off with  loud bangs.  Both you and Charlie covered your ears because it was so loud.  Diva doesn't like loud noises either, they always make me jump.

Here is one of my favorite pictures of the day. 

That afternoon all the kids went swimming in the back yard and played on the swings and fort.  It was a hot day so perfect for being wet and wild.  That evening we all went to watch the fireworks.  We met up with your friends Miss Heather and Jude.  She brought glow sticks for you to play with.  Mommy took these really great photos.

It was the very best day of the year for Poppa and Diva.  We love having our family together.  We did a Skype talk with Uncle Andy and Auntie Rachel.  Maybe next year we can all be together.  Won't that be fun?

Oz, you are growing up so fast.  I love watching you discuss things with Poppa.  Know that we love you so very much and are proud of the young man that you are becoming.

Your Diva

What a good big brother

Dear Oz,

What a good helper you are with Henry.  He absolutely adores his big brother.  Your mom used to let you hold the nebulizer tube next to his face to help him breath.  When he was still a baby sitting in his swing your Mommy told me that you got a turkey baster out of the drawer and started squirting Henry with blasts of air.

When your mom asked you what you were doing..you said, "I'm helping Henry breath Mom."

I pray that you will always love and protect your little brothers.  They love you so much.

Your Diva

Diva's Home Made Boy Decorated Birthday Cake

Dear Oz,

Did you know that Diva hardly ever gets a birthday cake for my birthday?  Poppa made me one year, it was his first baking attempt and as far as I know his last.

This year your Mommy made me a cake and you boys helped frost it.  Diva loves sprinkles so there were lots of sprinkles and lots of love baked into the cake.  

I needed some helpers to blow out the candles and you and Charlie were happy to help.


I love your hugs and kisses and I love singing silly songs with you.  Do you remember the Gobbly Gook song?

Gobbly Gook
Gobbly Gook
Makes you sound just like a kook.

Gobbly Gook
Gobbly Gook
DON'T EVER PUT IT ON YOUR FRUIT.

You told me, "Diva, you make me laugh!"  I like to make you laugh.

We have a good time together.

Thank you for my beautiful birthday cake.

Diva

My boys

 

It's been a while since I've posted some pictures of my boys.  They have been growing especially Charlie Bear.   His eyes have turned a beautiful brown just like his Poppa's, his Daddy, and his Uncle Andy.  He had long eyelashes just like big brother Oscar.  Just like most little brothers, he wants to be where ever big brother is and play with whatever he is currently playing with.  Sharing is overrated at times so there is occasionally conflicts and loud vocal complaints and screeches. Charlie is getting really chatty on the phone.  so much so his Mommy has to chase him down to get the phone away from him so we can talk.  Charlie gives me open mouth kisses, and his whole face lights up when he sees Poppa.

Oscar will be 4 in September and is getting ready for preschool.  He has gorgeous blue eyes like his Diva and his Mommy and the longest eyelashes I've ever seen. He loves anything with wheels, trains, building, cooking with daddy, and books.  He is a good big brother (most days) and very opinionated about his clothing and food.  He definitely makes life interesting and gives great hugs.

Oz's first Olympics

 

This is our Oscar sporting a gold and his very talented Mommy the silver medal.  This is Oscar's first Olympics and it looks like he's loving it.

One smart little guy

Dear Oz,

You are amazing. You have such an active mind.
You are very observant and pick up ideas and thoughts so quickly.

Your sweet momma told me that after Poppa and I left you kept calling your Momma "Calf". That confused her and she was wondering why you would be calling her a baby cow.

It finally dawned on her that you were calling her "Kath" which is what your Poppa calls me. It is a shortened version of my name Kathy . Apparently you thought it was a term of endearment because your poppa uses it when he talks to me. Only you would think to use it for your own dear Momma.

That's pretty smart thinking little man. I love this picture of you. You are growing up much too quickly. Know that Poppa and I love you very much and pray for your every single day.

Be good to your Momma. She works so hard to make things nice for you and your brother and your sweet daddy.



Miss you more than hot chocolate on a cold morning

Your Poppa and Diva

XOXO