I want YOU to try this!
Getting spoiled at G&G's
What key is this song in again?
Si and her favorite baby
My future's so bright....
At the beach at Aunt Gayla's
Watching the boat parade
Sienna's first drawing - for her parent's 4th wedding anniversary
Reunited with Mom and Dad after 7 whole days
After recovering from a nasty cold and fever, Sienna appears to have had a blast while staying with her Grandparents for a week. Here are some letters she wrote us while she was there. She's quite a talented writer, don't you think?
Hi Mommy,
I just thought I’d blow you a kiss and tell you I miss you – I’ve been practicing. I blew kisses to Grandpa while he was out on the deck cooking my dinner last night. He doesn’t usually blow them back. He’s working on giving me high 5’s and is getting better. I’ll keep working with him on it.
I enjoy my stroller rides, but I think Grandma isn’t going to let me ride in the evening anymore – she says the mosquitoes love me. Then, she tries to turn me into a pickle by putting vinegar on my bites. So, Grandpa took me for a ride this morning. It’s a lot more fun when Grandpa takes me for a ride – he does awesome wheelies and fun turns and stuff – not just going straight like Grandma.
G’pa and I watched a cool show on TV that had lots of dogs on it. They say “woof” – Just in case you forgot! I think G’pa was very happy to have me on his lap-I decided not to fuss and give him a break-he’s not as good as daddy, but he’s not that bad. Then, I took my nap. I love my bed. Last night G’pa put a vaporizer in my room and it helped me breath.
G’ma let me wear her big red shoes all around the house last night. It was fun trying to walk in them and I did pretty good if I do say so myself. It probably would have worked better if I didn’t have one of my own shoes on and one off. I saw G’pa’s slippers and think I’ll try them next – but not enough time – G’ma wanted me to be in bed by 8:00PM. She even forgot to brush my teeth. Don’t worry, I’ll work on my routine with her and she’ll get it.
I acted like I wasn’t feeling well this morning and acted pretty crabby so G’pa would ask G’ma not to take me to daycare. G’ma knows I’m feeling better because I can’t get that darn new temperature thingy to show I have a fever, but I did what I could to convince her I should stay home with G’pa. He and I were both better off once she finally went to work. I need some alone time with G’pa – he needs to get use to me and we play better together when other people aren’t around.
I’m also working on making you a pretty picture with my new handy, dandy washable markers G’pa bought for me. We tested them out on my high chair tray. Guess what? They really are washable. I cleaned up all the marks on the tray with the cloth G’ma gave me-it was easy. I used it to get the colors off my paddies too. What would you like me to draw for you? It seems easier to color my tray than the paper, but I’ll get the paper to cooperate eventually.
Later - - - - I Love You, Si
Hi again, Mommy-
Just a quick note. G'ma just called me and G'pa to get an update. G'pa told on me and I'll deal with him about his "tattling" later. He told G'ma that I took a 2 hour nap and haven't fussed once since I got up. He doesn't know I did that so G'ma wouldn't come home until after work tonight when she can just stay with us. G'pa said we're going outside later. It's 75 and beautiful, but for now, I'm not interested. I have too many things to do inside for now.
Oh, G'ma didn't tell G'pa about how much I like grilled cheese until after my lunch. I surprised G'pa by eating almost a whole container of baby ravioli. G'pa can't believe how good I am with a fork. I impressed him as long as I could, but got too full and had to quit showing off. He seemed to understand that when I shook my head "no", I was done and ready to get down and play. I guess he's pretty smart- I see potential here!
Do I eat meat loaf? G'pa is making one for dinner with squash and potatoes. If I don't like it, maybe I can get him to make me a grilled cheese for dinner. I love you, Si
Later: Ok, I'll smell it-maybe taste it and let you know. I don't want to hurt G'pa's feelings, so I hope it's good.
Later - LOL (Lots of Love, not laughing out loud), Si.
PS: G'ma is on her way to Goodwill. Aunt Gayla said the guy in charge, Joe, called to tell her he just put out a whole rack of Alpenfest attire. Not sure why G'ma wants me to have---attire - I sleep 12 hours every night. Maybe she means a tire - but my stroller already has 3 - not sure what I'd do with more. I think I'll concentrate on G'pa for now and let G'ma do whatever. I can't keep both of them in line-I'm just one little kid.
PSS: Oh, Aunt Gayla invited us to watch the 4th of July Boat Parade this Saturday (4pm) from something called a pontoon. G'pa wants me to take an extra nap that day so I can watch the fireworks past my bedtime. G'ma isn't convinced I'd like it, but at least if we were at Aunt Gayla's, we'd have a nice place to crash if I couldn't make it. I don't really care myself - I just want to play in the sand on the beach. I'm packing my shovel and pail. I think they'll work better with sand than an inch worm and water.
Hi Da da,
It’s taking me some time, but I’m starting to get G’ma and G’pa’s house looking like a home that I can live in. Everyday, I find new things to add to my play area. G’pa is best at helping me find things. We go searching when I get bored. However, he’s not very good at helping me search in the cupboards and drawers for things – he mainly just watches me do all the work. Open, look and shut, open, look and shut. I keep showing him how to do it and he seems to be watching, but still doesn’t have the hang of it. Maybe we’ll work on it more today.
Did I tell you I’m taking music lessons from G’pa? I sort of wish he’d stick to showing me how to play the guitar since that’s what he’s best at, but for some reason he insists I start on the drums. I can’t complain, it’s sort of cool how much noise I can make with so little effort. G’ma showed me I don’t have to use the drumstick – my paddy works too.
I have art class a couple times a day too. Usually in my high chair since the tray is so easy for me to clean off once I’m done. I’m working with these strange, fat, round markers G’pa bought for me, but they always seem to be upside down and I don’t get many marks on the paper yet. My hand comes out pretty. My tray has been a masterpiece too, so I know I’m getting better.
My favorite show is Animal Planet. Sometimes I have to really fuss and cry and carry on like nothing makes me happy before G’pa or G’ma will turn it on for me, but they eventually get the message. I wish they’d learn how to communicate so I didn’t have to put on such a show. I like watching lots of different animals moving around like the ones in my book that just sit there and wait for me to point to them. I wish Miss Lily was here so I could lead her around the house.
I have G’pa trained that when I’m up – he needs to be paying attention to me and me only-we have serious training to do. I took 2 long naps yesterday for G’pa. He was surprised I slept 2 hours and never made a poopy diaper for him to change. He didn’t know I did that so he’d tell G’ma he wants me to stay with him today too. I just need more one-on-one time to train him. He’s coming along nicely. Considering what I have to work with, I’m a great teacher.
I love you both and miss you both, ‘lil Si.
Hi mama and dada,
I hope it’s ok to write you both at once because I don’t have time to write individual notes anymore. So much to do – so little time.
I didn’t want G’ma to feel like I didn’t want her to stay home from work this morning, so I put on one of my best performances so far. I hung on her leg and wined and – well, you know the drill. I think she felt “loved” – I hope so or all my efforts were for not. Anyway, after she left, G’pa and I got down to business. He let me watch the dogs on TV for awhile before my pool lesson.
No, not swimming pool – you silly parents-it’s raining outside. Pool as in the huge table G’pa hides in the basement. One advantage to being so little is that I get to play pool while on top of the table. It was such fun-I hope we get to do that again soon! Mama, if G’pa doesn’t have time to teach you some of the finer points, I’ll pencil you in my schedule for a training session. How’s July 19th just before my nap?
I yawned and, ‘right on cue’, G’pa asked me if I was tired and wanted to take a nap. I’m so proud of him – he’s such a quick study. (Or, I’m just a better teacher than even I thought). Regardless, I just smiled and started climbing the steps and walked over to my pack n play. He helped me in and I slept for 2 ½ hours. It’s very exhausting training a grandparent.
I was waiting patiently in my high chair for G’pa to make the grill cheese I ordered for lunch when G’ma called to check up on us. She told G’pa to let me have some veggies from the baby food jars. I heard G’pa brag that I left him a “present” in my diaper. I don’t think he liked dealing with it so much, but it makes him feel better that I’m not holding back anymore. He worries about the strangest things. For instance he’s constantly looking for things I can’t fit in my mouth for me to play with. I’m not stupid – I don’t want to choke myself. Oh well, I read in “Baby’ Magazine” that he’ll loosen up a bit as I get older. We have to give him time and be patient. I’m sure statistics would back me up, but really don’t want to take the time to research it, so I’m going with my “gut” on this one.
Be good while I’m away and don’t forget the routines I’ve taught you. I don’t want to have to re-train you when I get home. I’ll need a vacation after this week. Get your work done so you can enjoy your anniversary and concert.
Signing off for now. I love you, Lil Si.
Hi mama and dada,
Sorry I haven’t written in such a long time-I don’t seem to have as much chance when G’ma is home plus ’other people’ are here. Anyway, we just got back from Aunt Gayla and Uncle Mark’s on the lake. We went to “watch” the boat parade from that ‘pontoon/floaty thing’. As it turned out – we were IN THE PARADE! It was the first time I was IN a boat parade, but first time for everybody on the floaty thing. We didn’t win, but that’s mainly because we didn’t deserve to win, but we had fun anyway. The best part was when I spotted some of the other floaty things had DOGS in them! What fun! I laughed and giggled and pointed and jumped up and down. My green hat must have blown into the water – I was so excited, I didn’t notice. Sorry, mommy.
There was a water war between some of the floaty things. Good thing I brought my pail or we would have been even more pathetic at defending ourselves than our decorations. Aunt Gayla filled it from the lake and threw it at another floaty thing, but they got her wetter than she got them. She will be more prepared next year on decorations and water war weapons-she’s just a Rookie this year.
I met this 5 year old ‘baby’ named Jordon-she was on our floaty thing too. I finally warmed up to her and we played quiet a bit in the sand on the beach and even went in the water (a little). What I really wanted to do was run out on Mark’s dock, barefooted and if I didn’t slip off – jump off! G’ma insisted I hang on to her hand so she didn’t fall in the lake-it slowed me down, but she‘s worth it. She was also afraid to jump off the dock except up by shore. It was fun anyway. Later, we went to the neighbor’s house to play with Chase. He’s a very nice little dog, good with children and he didn’t mean to knock me down. I pet him later and we are good friends again. He was soft and I liked petting him. It made me giggle.
After dinner, Uncle Mark had to get on a plane to take aerial pictures of the state park and we saw him fly over us two times. Aunt Gayla and Todd made a fire, we ate and played and laughed. I guess I was pretty good because we didn’t leave until 9pm. It’s the latest I stayed up, so I hope G’pa and G’ma let me sleep in tomorrow.
Thursday, G’ma and “G’pa took me to town. After a few errands, we went to the Energy Outlet to – you guessed it – let off some energy. There were lots of toys and I tried the ones G’pa approved of. I wanted to do the baby swing until the baby in it got out-then I wasn’t interested anymore. I saw a real plane take off and a 3-car train waived and tooted at me? G’pa laughed when what I pointed at was a Robin on the fence. Not sure why that tickled him. The slides were fun, but G’pa always had a worried look on his face. I think he was glad when we left. Best part-no bugs.
Yesterday, G’ma took me to the sheep/chicken/donkey farm that we went to earlier-remember, Mommy-with the big swing? Anyway, Will, the dog and I are best buds. I had fun trying to get the chickens to come to me, but when one followed me, it freaked me out. After that –Will had my back and kept those chickens a decent distance. I learned what a chicken says and have fun with that one! I saw baby chicks peeping and playing, and even smaller ones taking their naps, but couldn’t touch them. I pet the donkey and one of the sheep. They said “baaaa”. I played on the tractor for quite awhile and then sat in my car seat eating snacks from my green cup and listened to music while G’ma picked strawberries.
This is probably the last time I’ll get a chance to write, so I hope you had as much fun as I did. I’ve let G’ma and G’pa hear me repeat things I was saving until later, but they needed the encouragement. I’m pretty good at nose, tongue, eye, ear, hair, belly-maybe even paddies, foot or toes. By the way, last night we listened to some Beatles and G’ma showed me how to shake my head to the beat so my hair would fly, and say “yah, yah, yah”. I’m not looking forward to packing up my garb, but looking forward to seeing you guys and sleeping in my own bed. My work here is done.
Signing off – Love, Si
Driving Aunt Gayla's cart
