Slowly But Surely Interaction

                I heard Richard saying, “Get out. Get out! GET OUT” 

          I figured he was talking to the dogs.  He and Clair were in the kitchen and Ally was working on moving the coffee table to block the dogs out.  I stuck my head out to call Bonnie.

          “It’s not Bonnie,” Ally said.  “It’s Char.”

          Char is more aggressive as far as height and actually jumping around.  Bonnie will wait quietly – most of the time still in the way, but not jumping.  Once the food is served she is like Godzilla upon Tokyo and it is Char who has to find another source.

          Truth be known, I wasn’t calling Bonnie to distract her from the others.  I had an ulterior motive.  I wanted her to lick my dish clean so that I wouldn’t be in anyone else’s way or have to settle on gunking up my bathroom sink.  Bonnie did not come.

          I retrieved the dish and held it out the door. 

“Come on, Bonnie!” I called.  The dish had gotten her attention.  Char had already been banned to the bedroom and Bonnie ran towards mine.

          “Thank you, Grandma,” Ally said sincerely. She was truly grateful and I was impressed with her actions.

          Before Bonnie had finished eating there was a soft knock at the door.  Ally had come to retrieve Bonnie.  I was surprised she was still licking the bowl as there hadn’t been enough worth calling her for really.  I think overall Ally prefers Bonnie to Char.  I sent her out only moments later.  I don’t know if Ally even noticed.

Different Strokes For Different Folks

               I remember attending a month long theatre camp when I was 15 years old.  For the most part the youth who attended the camp resided in the dorms which housed BYU students during the school year.  There was one youth who had traveled with his parents.  He was eleven.  Very talented and gifted child.  I don’t know if he was an only child but that is how I saw him. 

His mother doted on him 24/7.  She would accompany to all the rehearsals, activities and whatever else we had going on.  She was an older parent who wouldn’t allow Trevor to be out of her sight.  I felt bad for him.  As gifted as he was with the piano, he lacked social skills.  He behaved differently the few times his mom was out of sight – which was rare.  I think he was abusing his freedoms.

Clair told me that her sibs will dote on Ally just as she does.  Neither Jaime or I dote.  Neither one of us are especially fond of being around children as a whole.  Of course there are exceptions.  We will become a friend but neither one of us dote.  Clair says that Ally doesn’t understand what her relationship is with Jaime as she doesn’t dote as her other aunts do. 

Jaime and I are more about self-reliance – but as with Trevor (in the example above) she will only try to do things herself when she doesn’t have permission – like reaching for items in the fridge that she isn’t supposed to have or scaring the dogs with her remote control car.

A Child's Prayer

 Ally said the prayer to bless the food.  Biff started out helping her but she took off with it on her own.  She did a good job. I was impressed.  I was amazed that she actually ate all that was on her plate without complaining.

August Grandbabies

            We met three of our granddaughters for the first time this month.  Devin and Ally will be turning two in August.  That was the time we had initially planned to visit our families in Utah.  I was excited that I would be able to give these two granddaughters their birthday gifts in person and that I wouldn't have to spend extra money on postage.  Looks like I'll be spending the money . . .

            I have made quiet/alphabet books for Jenna, Anna and Ester.  It's initial intent was for something that they can look at during sacrament meeting to keep them entertained (and hopefully quiet) during the meeting.  I started to print out just a few pages, but did not have all of the pages of ready to print as I was still hoping to get updated pictures - though not in the manner they were acquired.  I was hoping for an updated picture of Jeanie as well.  I no longer have that option.

            We met Devin first.  Randy had invited us to stay with him and Carrie at their house (formally ours) and so of course we were introduced to their daughter.  She tends to cling to mom and dad.  She is very smart.  She likes to control any given situation and will throw tantrums if she doesn't get her way.  I've seen her smile for the camera, but most of the photos I've seen of her, she always looks so serious.  I think she looks more like her mom.  She is the same height as Ally, but has lost her baby fat.

            Ally is the opposite of Devin.  All smiles and on the move.  She is a happy hurricane in great need of discipline.  She's quite stocky and absolutely no question about which parent she resembles.  Her face is an exact replica of Biff's.  If she wants something, she grabs it.  If she falls, she picks herself back up again.  She is tough. She loves her dad and her grandpas.  She'll go to anybody, but won't sit still for long (another trait from Biff).

            We spent the majority of Friday with Randy's family, David and Ally, and Roland's sister, Jean, and her husband, Bert.  Bert reminds me of Michael Caine's  character in Going in Style. Bert and Jean had arrived the day before we had.

            Roland and I had run some errands on Saturday and Jenna had spent the night with Anna. Biff returned with Ally before Roland went to get Jenna.  At least four of us were at the table playing cards while one or two adults kept watch over the two girls.  When Roland went to get Jenna, he took Carrie with him just to give her a  break.

            We did not meet our youngest granddaughter, Liz, until the following night when we were at the viewing.  I snatched her up and held onto her the entire time my brother and family were waiting in line.  I visited with them and did not let Liz go until Jean insisted she have a turn as well.  I guess it was a first time for her meeting Liz also.

            I wish we could have had the time to spend with each family as we had planned.  Sometimes life will throw you curves and there's nothing you can do to change that.  But you can choose your attitude toward each curve.  Sometimes it can be smooth, but often there are bumps in the road. This hurried roadtrip (I don't want to call it a vacation because there wasn't much about it that lived up to my definition of "vacation") seemed to contain a lot of bumps.  Still trying to smooth over them all - but it takes time.  It will take longer for some more than others.