Day Three Hundred Sixty Two 2013

Some people never grow up. Grandpa was having fun building towers with grandson Knox’s blocks this afternoon. An episode of Thomas The Train was on in the background. And notice that grandson Knox wasn’t  paying attention to either of these things. He was having his own fun [playing with his trains, most likely]. Good times on a lazy Saturday. [thanks for the pic, daughter Kelly]

Day Three Hundred Sixty 2013

Grandson Knox [a.k.a. The Bachelor] hitched a ride on Thomas The Train this afternoon. He has a fierce passion for all things trains right now. And since 90% of his birthday and Christmas gifts were train-related this year, his mom and dad are hoping this passion lasts for another year or two or maybe ten. Chugga Chugga! Keep on chugging, Knox!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Seven 2013

Grandpa and grandson Knox having fun with Knox’s Thomas Trains on the train table we got him for Christmas. Neil put the table together this evening, and we decided there was no reason not to go ahead and let him enjoy it now. We loaded it in the truck and took it over to his house. When we left, he was playing with his trains on his train table, having more fun than pint sized human beings should be allowed to have two days before Christmas.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Three 2013

Every day after school, grandson Elijah looks for the elf on the shelf at my house. I told him the elf was hiding today. Elijah looked in all the nooks and crannies and cabinets.

He finally found the elf sitting under the Christmas tree. You have to look closely to find him.

He was holding one of the icicles from the tree [probably the closest thing to a weapon this thing will ever be allowed to have].

Elijah was dressed like an elf, too. His class Christmas party was today [that’s what I call it; I’m not sure what the school calls it these days]. They got to wear their comfy jammies, eat treats, play games, watch a movie [Polar Express] and decorate these neat elf hats. And they also got bells to wear around their necks [after school, I’m sure]. Tomorrow is a two hour day, then the kiddos and teachers are free until next year. Good times as the big day draws nearer. Six days!

Day Three Hundred Forty Two 2013

Grandson Knox at Starbuck’s this afternoon on his mom’s iPhone, no doubt updating his Facebook status. Kids these days…..

Day Three Hundred Forty One 2013

Here Comes Santa Claus!

The Cookeville Depot Museum held their Christmas open house today. We took grandson Knox to visit with Santa Claus. Kelly gave him a pep talk last night, telling Knox what to expect, but he was still a bit intimidated by the man in red.

“What’s your name?” Santa asked.  “Knox,” he said, pointing to himself.

Knox was very brave and sat on Santa’s lap. He told Santa he wanted Thomas The Train for Christmas. He didn’t cry or get upset, but he only sat there long enough to snap a picture or two.

For a little boy who adores trains right now, Knox was thrilled to be at the depot. He literally squealed with delight when he saw this display case with his favorite Thomas The Train stuff inside.

Best of all was getting to watch the electric train travel the track around the replica of the Cookeville Depot.


Another train on a track circling the Christmas tree caught his eye. I think he could have watched these trains all day.

He got to visit one of Santa’s reindeer ~ Comet ~ who was having breakfast.

Knox had the best time ever at the train depot. Seeing Santa wasn’t so scary after all.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Seven 2013

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY, KNOX!

Grandson Knox celebrated his 2nd birthday with a Thomas The Train party this evening.

Knox loves all things Thomas The Train.

The Birthday Song made him smile.

He couldn’t wait to blow out his candle.

Yummy!

Time for presents!






Knox received all sorts of fun gifts – blocks and trains and clothes and a cool roller coaster – and he loved all of it. It was fun listening to him laugh and watching him have so much fun turning 2 years old. Happy Birthday, Knox! We love you!!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six 2013

Grandson Knox is 2 years old today. He will have his birthday party tomorrow, but his mom and dad wanted him to get to blow out his candles on his actual birthday. And so he did. Happy 2nd Birthday, Knox! Granny and Grandpa love you!!

My Aunt Joy Brown turns 99 years old on December 4th. She and a packed restaurant of family and friends celebrated her remarkable milestone this evening. She enjoyed many heartfelt tributes to her in songs and poems and remembrances of her long and influential life. She entertained us by playing her piano and singing and then doing a tap dance to the tune The Entertainer [how appropriate!] while holding on to her walker for support. Can you believe she’s 99?! Amazing. Happy Birthday, Aunt Joy! I want to be just like you when I grow up.

Day Three Hundred Nineteen 2013

Knox and Grandpa chillin’ out together, watching Thomas The Train on Netflix. Good times on a Friday evening. Happy TGIF, everyone!

Day Three Hundred Eleven 2013

“I made it with my bare hands,” said Grandson Elijah this afternoon after school as he answered my question about how he made this fabulous artwork owl.

No scissors or pre-cut strips of paper or even a pre-drawn outline. He fashioned his owl with strips of paper he tore with his bare hands. I thought that was such a cute way to describe his process. Good job, Elijah!

Day Three Hundred Eight 2013

“Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker.”   ~Charles M. Schulz

There is not a child on this planet who can resist jumping into a pile of Autumn leaves. Grandson Knox had a great time this morning doing just that. Mostly, he liked slogging through the pile and picking up armloads of the leaves and throwing them. No wet suckers involved. Just a ton o’ fun.

Day Two Hundred Ninety Six 2013

Grandson Knox fell asleep on his mom’s shoulder while eating a Popsicle and watching Spongebob this afternoon. His mom and dad moved a load of stuff from their old house in Murfreesboro to their new house here. Got lots more to do before they’re fully moved and settled in, so all three are pretty much tuckered out. As long as he’s got his Thomas trains, Knox doesn’t seem to mind all the upheaval.

Day Two Hundred Ninety Four 2013

Nothing worse than having to return to school after a two week break, unless it’s your teacher telling you it will be an easy day but it really isn’t because you have to do all this work, work, work. Not to mention all the homework [math!] you have to do when you finally get home. Grandson Elijah’s day certainly felt like a Monday and then some. Tomorrow is another day and hopefully a more tolerable one.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Eight 2013

Destination ~ Destin

We arrived in Destin around five o’clock this afternoon. Our trip was easy and uneventful ~ yay! The weather is beautiful here but the waves are choppy and high ~ someone was surfing out there.

Destin sunset view off daughter Kelly and son in law Kerry’s tenth floor balcony. 

Enjoyed a crab leg dinner at Fisherman’s Wharf seafood restaurant. So good. What a treat! [especially after Slim Fast for breakfast and lunch]

We went for a stroll on the boardwalk to check out the boats and found a friendly pirate making balloon animals and such. He made Knox a pirate sword.

Yo Ho Ho! Knox was a bit intimidated by the pirate but liked the sword. The pirate gave Kerry that balloon parrot that was sitting on his shoulder. It’s wonderful to be here again. Our first floor condo is very nice. Looking forward to a good night’s sleep. Neil and I are tuckered out.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Six 2013

FALL BALL




We’ve enjoyed watching grandson Elijah play coach’s pitch Fall Ball these past few weeks. He’s had fun playing different field positions [catcher being his fave because he got to wear the gear] and of course he loves to bat. They didn’t keep score ~ played for fun and practice although there will be playoff games. He has a few more games left, but this is the last one we’ll get to see before we head south on vacation. Next up: Vision Basketball in October.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Seven 2013

Wallowing in sidewalk chalk, grandson Knox spent the whole day creating art at his house with his mom and me, while his grandpa replaced the front porch banisters. Knox’s mom and dad are getting their house ready to sell. Knox was pretty much covered from head to toes in colorful chalk and didn't mind one bit. Good times on a gorgeous fall-like day.

Day Two Hundred Fifty Five 2013

Grandson Elijah decided the other day that he’s ready to walk to my house from school. All by himself. He said I could wait on the back porch for him, but I told him I’d meet him at the steps into the back yard. He has to cross three traffic lanes ~ two in the school parking lot and then the street itself ~ but I think I trust him to look for cars. He seems to be handling it pretty well.