A January thaw along Stoney Creek

One-on-one with Emma ...

It is very unusual that I get to spend "alone" time with any of my "older" grandchildren. They are used to doing stuff together, the three of them, like the three musketeers. I have not requested a one-on-one with any of them for a very long time. But a few weeks ago, I bought the Cinderella movie that Disney made last year, and Emma very badly wanted to see it. Since it is kind of a "girly" movie, I invited Emma to come and see it and spend the night Friday! Emma enjoyed the movie very much. We even went to bed by 10:30: Emma on the couch, and me in my own warm bed.

We enjoyed our Friday night together, but we had also talked about sledding Saturday morning. I woke Emma up by 9:30, and it was a good thing we went out in the morning, because if we had waited until the afternoon when the temps climbed into the low 40's, we would have found a hill without any snow.

I'm so glad Emma is still young enough to enjoy sledding! But then, I STILL ENJOY IT TOO! We raced down the hill separately as well as together--in the same sled! Emma was the driver--she was much better at steering than I was! 

I love this beautiful young girl so much. She is lovely inside and out. 

We took a short walk next to Stoney Creek, took some pictures, enjoyed the awesomeness of God's amazing handiwork ... 

... and then when we got home, Emma enjoyed a nice hot bath while I fixed a nice healthy lunch for us! We also worked on our Bible story book that we have been making together, watched some funny cat and baby videos on Youtube, Emma played my piano (she is teaching herself and doing a good job!), and just hung out together. I love being your grandma, dearest Emma.

Brendan and I go sledding!

Brendan doesn't live too far from the GR Kroc Center  ... and there is a really nice sledding hill there that we checked out this afternoon. After climbing ALL these stairs to the tippy-top of the hill, we found the gate LOCKED with this sign: "No sledding when gate is locked." This was rather disappointing, because we were really anticipating this nice big hill!

But ... we decided to just go looking for other hills! There were several smaller hills nearby ... we we zoomed down those!

It was a lot of fun ... but I have never been with Brendan and NOT had fun. 

 Brendan was dressed in SO MANY LAYERS!

 He was a very enthusiastic sledder!

 Look at him -- he is so bundled, he can barely move ...

 We played on the playground nearby for a little while too ... but by this time, I was getting quite cold (because I am a sissy) ...

I finally convinced Brendan that Grandma was too cold to play outside anymore, so we went back to his nice warm house and played there instead. 

 Brendan has some really nice toys to play with. Look at his cool airplanes (below)! They fly VERY nicely too.

Only SIX more days until this little sweetheart's birthday! I would very much like it if he could just stay THREE for another year!

Hurray for a mild winter day!

Today it was 40 degrees, party sunny and not one bit windy. It was a perfect day to go sledding, AND I received a gift of TWO free sleds just yesterday from my dear friends! So, Kaity picked the purple sled and off we went ...

We drove over to Townsend Park because I thought we might just find a few hills that were just the right size for Kaity and I ... 

Kaity is one tough little cookie. Nothing much phases her as far as harsh conditions. She is a lot of fun to play with and she loves the snow! 

We raced down a few good hills--me screaming all the way--Kaity cracking up, and only wiped out one time!  

 It was just a picture-perfect afternoon ... so thankful for this beautiful day.

Kaity played at the playground for awhile too. 

 Kaity is a very physical child and loves to climb and play.

 What a gorgeous day!!!

I love you Kaity Jane! You are precious!

A one-donkey open sleigh ...

I received a very special treat today ... completely unexpected, and a total surprise--the very best kind! My friend, Wendy, invited me to go on a one-donkey open sleigh ride out in Sparta on this grey winter day!

Meet Mary (on the left) and my friend, Wendy (on the right) and Levi, a very sweet donkey. 

These are the dogs, their names which I cannot for the life of me remember. 

This is BOB, the red-haired donkey ... 

 This is BOB, the red-haired donkey, sticking his tongue out ...

Wendy took a picture of me and the newest donkey ... but I can't remember his name either ... something like COLBY but I know that isn't right. 

Wendy is very good with animals and not at all afraid to come close and be friends, which is a very good trait to have, don't you think? 

This is Levi, me, and the open sleigh! 

 I tried to get some pictures of the buildings and land ...

because I love farm buildings of all kinds ... 

 like this great-looking chicken-coop!

I had the first turn on the sleigh ride, and then it was Wendy's turn (below). 

Steve and Mary on the sleigh ... 

These pictures are just more attempts to get some distance shots of the "farm" ... 

I'm not sure if any of these are "good", but it was worth the effort. Perhaps if the day had not been so completely grey ... 

Bob in his shelter ... 

 A close up of sweet Levi ...

Thank you, Wendy, for such a refreshing few hours in the great outdoors. It was wonderful to meet Mary and her donkeys!