My Grandma

My intention today was to write about the grand time we had at Easter and our mini-vacation to the Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington.  Those will need to wait for another time because today my heart is heavy thinking of another Grand--my special Grandma.

My Grandma does not have very long to live.  Death is so final, and yet the days leading up to death, knowing its coming, knowing its only a matter of time, knowing there is nothing to do (or that she would want you to do) to stop it, is agonizing.  My heart hurts most for my Grandpa, who has made one tough decision and is abiding by my Grandma's Living Will, and for my mom, who is losing her own mom, and quite likely, best friend.  My heart hurts for all of us who will miss her immensely, and yet I sit trying to balance those selfish thoughts of wanting her with us with the thoughts of her being in a much better place.  The dreadful disease Alzheimer's has already taken her from us in so many ways already.

I really do have wonderful memories of her...a lifetime of memories that I'm sure will be a comforting blanket to me as I begin to grieve her passing. I quickly jotted down things off the top of my head that I love about her.  Her favorite color is green, she never had her ears pierced but wore clip on earrings every day, she bowled with my mom on a league for years,  she traveled with us on family vacations, she didn't like to drive, she came to the hospital to see all 4 of my kids on their birthday, she sang them songs like "Jesus Loves the Little Children", she made angel food cake for birthday parties, she would pack KFC and donuts and lots more when we went out boating,  she volunteered at the voting booths on Election Day, she always had a full candy dish at her house, you could always tell what presents she bought you because they were wrapped so impeccably,  she had opinions and wasn't afraid to voice them, she followed professional sports and watched a lot of tennis, she had her favorite teams and was a Mariner's fan, she was a very good sofa referee, she visited her own mom frequently, she liked to shop but was very indecisive, and she could cook very well.  My grandpa told us when we were young that he wished he was one of her grandkids--she is really that good of a grandma.  My grandpa provided her with a good life and she lived most of adult life as a wife and stay at home mom.  She was the gorilla strength glue that held our family together.  I love her and I will miss her tremendously.

This is the oldest picture I have of my grandma...it's a four generation picture.  Grandma is on the left,  with her mom Pauline (in orange), her grandma Olive (in front), and my mom Debi (in plaid).

Holding Logan:  August 2001

My mom Debi, me holding Presley, my Great grandma Margaret Legard, and my Grandma Pat (2003)

Mother's Day 2004:  Bobby, Amy, Grandma, mom, Presley, me

Trip to Disneyland (I think this was her last trip to Disneyland):  November 2005

Same trip to Disneyland

Christmas 2005

Mariner's Game:  September 2006

Mother's Day Bowling:  May 2007

Grandma's Tea Party 75th Birthday Celebration:  September 2007

Making Christmas goodies:  December 2007

Cabin Trip:  January 2008

August 2009:  at Presley's kindergarten fashion show

Thanksgiving:  November 2009

In Wenatchee at the kids' ice skating performance: December 2009

Father/Daughter Dance:  February 2010

September 2010:  This was taken just a few days before she was moved to her nursing home, Avalon. 

October 2010

Christmas 2010 holding Harper Jean Pauline, who was named after my Grandma (Patricia Jean) and my great Grandma (Pauline). 

October 2011

Easter 2012

Mother's Day 2012

Christmas 2012

Christmas 2012:  Her family

I am so thankful to love my grandma and even more thankful to have been loved by her. 

St. Patrick's Day

One sneaky little leprechaun made a visit to the Nelson household and used our potty.  Rylan asked why there was toilet paper in the toilet if the leprechaun had to stand on the seat to go--Mama didn't have a very good answer for that.

We had a breakfast of green eggs, green grapes, and cereal with green milk.

And we all wore green so we could avoid being pinched.

Class Pictures: Kinder, 3rd, and 5th grade

Math is Cool, recent school work and the importance of one "R"

I wanted to share some of the kids' recent school accomplishments.

Logan has been involved in Sunnyslope's Math is Cool club for the last two years.  They meet once a week throughout the school year and then have a final regional competition in March.  Their competition this year was on March 15th at Washington Elementary.  There is an individual scored test and then those scores are compiled to make up the team score.  Logan did not place individually, but Sunnyslope's 5th grade team did place 2nd overall.  They placed 2nd last year too.  

Having a snack before the competition.  Colby and Logan have both participated on the 4th grade team and the 5th grade team.

One of Logan's recent assignments was to write a memoir.  Here is the e-mail I received from his teacher after he turned it in.

Dave and I are in awe of how much Ry has learned in kindergarten.  Kindergarten is such a huge year of growth.  

This is his very first spelling test.

Logan and Ry have both been sick this last week.  Presley asked Mrs. Peterson if she could make a card for Rylan and this is what she came home with.  It's such a sweet gesture and it did make Ry smile.  I'm sure she just forgot the letter "r" and didn't mean to thank Ry for being a cool "bother".  Love this girl, love her gentle spirit, and love her caring heart.  

  

Yay for  good students!!

Ellensburg Week-End (March 8-10)

I've been having some technical difficulties with getting my pictures off my camera and onto my IPhoto.  Very frustrating to say the least, but with a little money and a little of hubby's help, I'm back in action.  This blog would seriously be nothing without pictures of the kids!!  I might as well shut down shop if I'm not posting their cute faces!!

So, over the week of March 8-10, we travelled to Ellensburg for Logan's last 5th grade AAU tournament.  We stayed the night in a hotel (with a pool of course) and had some visitors for Sunday's games.  This tournament is Logan's favorite.  He loves to walk the college campus and the kids love to hear the story of how their parents met at college.  It's fun to see all the big changes at the campus and to hear Logan talk about going to Central Washington University someday.

On Saturday, we played the Ellensburg 5th graders and won and then played Eastmont and lost by 3.  On Sunday, we had to play Eastmont again and lost by several and then played Brewster and won again.  Our 5th graders never won Eastmont this year so that's one of Logan's goals for next year--BEAT EASTMONT!!

Here's where you sit when you get in foul trouble.

Harper put on her own little performance at every time out and half time by singing and dancing on the court.  

Hotel swimming pictures. 

Ry was so excited to go swimming he forgot to take off his shirt.

Sunday's games brought some Logan fans.  Grandma, Papa, Bob, Tona, and Grandma with the snow (Great Grandma Jeri)

 Grandma Snow and Papa

Bob and Tona had recently bought a new car (Mini Cooper) so the kids and Dave had to check it out.  Dave actually fit into it. Logan wants it in 4 years. 

We had quite a bit of time between games on Sunday so the kids wanted to go rock climbing in the recreational facility on campus.  Presley made it to the top. Logan and Ry were a bit more scared of the heights.  So much fun to see them explore and try new things. 

Our family at Nicholson Pavilion, Central Washington University

Our February Calendar

I wanted to remember just how much we have going on as a family.  It seems as if I run around like a chicken with my head cut off some days and it's no wonder why.  People tell me I'll miss this, but I often have a very hard time believing it!!  I often remind Dave how my day really begins at 2:45 when I pick up the kids from school.  I think this proves it!!

 
Whew!! Glad this short month is over--I do remember February and March being incredibly busy from last year too.

Ry is SIX: 2-27-13

Happy Sixth Birthday little man!!  We had a great day celebrating YOU!! You have grown up so much this year.  Mom and Dad are so impressed with all that you've learned in school.  You are very academic, but still love recess the best.  You have good friends, and friends of all ages--you often tell us you play soccer and football with first graders all the way through to Logan's fifth grade friends.  You have become so much more patient this year, you're a better sharer, you're becoming more and more responsible, and so much less impulsive.  You love to snuggle (and you've never been much of a snuggler before) and freely give hugs and kisses.  You have become more in tune with how your actions make others feel, and you remember to apologize on your own.  You usually have good manners.  You like when Harper and I walk you into school on late start Mondays.  You like when Presley and Logan check in with you at recess.  You're becoming a reader and recognize "popcorn words" more frequently and you're attempting to tie your shoes.  You love to play with electronics:  IPad, IPod, or DS are your favorites.  You still love your blanket, Puppy. You are so smiley when you're praised!! We love you Rylan!!

Coming down the stairs in the morning (with Puppy):

Harper and I came to your school to deliver birthday cupcakes.  You are the only child who will get to bring in a treat on your actual birthday.  You told me your classmates had sung to you and you were proudly wearing a birthday crown.  All the girls were sitting near you and you passed out all the cupcakes.     When I picked you up from school you told me all about your day and was excited to see your little cake and all the cards and presents out on the dining table.  It was a nice day so you and the kids went outside to play.  Daddy came home and Grandma and Grandpa Nelson came over for dinner--your choice was spaghetti pie.  We ate dinner, cleaned up, and opened presents. 

Presley read you your birthday cards and messages and Harper waited patiently to hand the presents to you.

Many people called to tell you happy birthday tonight. 

Then we sang you happy birthday and it took you several tries to blow out your candles.  We had cake and ice cream.

Love you our sweet six year old.

The next morning I was putting the list of what people gave you higher up so I wouldn't misplace it and I quickly glanced at it...It appears Presley "gave" you a present, but not one you would open and she wanted a thank you for it.  Ha ha!!  You did finish your thank you's in two days with very little complaining.  So proud of my growing boy.  You are loved more than you know!!