Elise Ione!

Elise Ione was born yesterday and she is beautiful!

I made the nurse take this photo when I was spending some time along with Elise up in the nursery.  Do you notice I am wearing the cross necklace that I said would someday be Elise's?

Cordelia Fun

I have been fortunate enough to have some Cordy Time this week.  Yesterday she was out and about with her parents.  Maria texted me and I found out they weren't far from my location at that moment so I made sure our paths crossed.

Cordy was so excited and hugged me say, "Grandma, you are a surprise!"  Then she turned to her parents and said, "These are my friends, Mommy and Daddy!  They are my family!  And Baby _______ (you'll have to wait until her birth to learn her name) is going to come out and she is my sister!"

The day before that I enjoyed some shopping time with Maria and Cordelia, followed by swimming time and a picnic.  Mike took a lunch break to join us for lunch.  It was one of those weather-perfect days and the morning was pure delight.  I hope you enjoy the photos...

I will forever be grateful for my family.

Baby Bump

Just to update you, Maria is busily growing grandaughter #2.  I think she is beautiful wearing that baby bump, don't you?

She Makes My Heart Sing!

This pretty little girl just absolutely makes me smile.  I took this photo recently as I was walking toward Cordy at her house.  As she was waving at me she narrated the situation as well, saying, "I'm waving at you, Grandma.  I'm waving at you."

Then she took me on a tour, showing me her rocks and flowers.

When I've had a couple of days without seeing her sweet face I develop a funny hollow feeling.

Her smile just makes my heart sing!

Indulging the Grandmas

I am not Cordelia's only grandma but I am the only one living in the same town.  This is why I must post cute Cordy pictures a lot.   You see, it is kind of my obligation to give the other grandmas a peek at her.   Therefore, I'm not just a bragging grandmother.  I'm only being thoughtful and trying to share.  :-)

Earlier this week I went with Maria and Cordelia to story time at our local library.  Cordy used to be really timid at these events.  Besides the stories there is usually singing time with actions or dancing involved.  We all start sitting on the floor and Cordelia would tell us she was shy and then smoosh herself into either of our laps to just observe the other kids.  Those days have changed!  When we first arrived at the children's section she said she was shy but soon she announced that she wasn't going to be shy after all.  It turns out she was right. What a fun little person to observe!

I tell you what, though, that friendly stuff takes a lot out of a girl!

Grandpa is So Much Fun!

Grandpa, come over here.

 Sit right here by me, Grandpa.

 I'm waiting for Grandpa.  I just want Grandpa.

Whoa!  Grandpa got me, Momma!

 Grandpa is making me kick you, Momma!

 Grandpa is sooooo much fun!

I love that you stopped by to read my blog. I'm really grateful and pleased when someone wants to share my posts or photos. Please just remember to link them back to my blog. It's the right thing to do; you know it is.

Reflections of Cordelia

Thank-you for stopping by. Feel free to use my photos but please link them back to my blog. I am honored if you wish to share content of any of my posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. as long as it is linked back to my blog.

Stunt Rider and Stunt Crafter

Yesterday I stopped over to pick up Maria (daughter) and Cordelia (grandaughter) for a quick shopping trip.  We were searching for a few craft supplies.  Neither of us have great shopping stamina except when going to thrift stores or any store that sells craft or sewing supplies.  Then, it is hard to get us out!  

Before we left their house Cordelia wanted to show me her style on her new "motorcycle". She was wearing her new blue hat that she specifically requested her Momma make for her.  As she did her performance she kept saying, "I'm a silly girl!"

 At the end she dramatically threw her hat to the floor and seemed pretty exhausted by her performance.  I enjoyed the show but I kind of hope her motorcycle stunt performing is a stage she passes through quickly.

Cordelia has a lot on her mind and she doesn't keep much of it to herself.  I love listening to her talk!  She talks about what we are doing at the moment, "We're driving up the hill.  We're driving down the hill."  She talks about the past, "We had pink cupcakes for my birthday."  She talks about the future, "Can I be 5?"  She's grateful, "Thank-you sweet Grandma."  She's spiritual, "Bye-bye Baby Jesus."  The last one was her comment as we walked away from a nativity scene on display at a store.

At one of the stores we visited yesterday I purchased some books on sale.  Each were listed at around $2.  As I went through the check-out they rang up at only a penny each!  I pointed out the error to the clerk and offered to go back to the original display to give her the exact sale prices.  She told me that since than rang up for a penny that is what I'd be charged.  I protested and told her that certainly wasn't right but she wouldn't budge.  I felt rather guilty but I have to admit I kind of wished I'd picked up more sale books.  Is that wrong?  Anyway, here are the books I purchased...

I was so excited I started a project with the fleece right away.  If you know how I roll, though, you know that I usually don't follow a recipe or a pattern.  I use them for a germ of an idea but I always think I have a cooler or easier way and start making changes until the finished project barely resembles the original.  Sometimes it works out well but there are many, many times I make things more difficult for myself.  I was taking photos as I worked last night.  It was to be an hour project and I was planning on showing you the tutorial this morning.  However, it turned out to be the tutorial of calamity.  I'm still trying to make it work so check back tomorrow to see the WORST TUTORIAL EVER!

Cordelia and the BIG Doll

Cordelia came over Thursday night.

She climbed on ladders (assisted by Grandpa),

played with Playdough,

helped water flowers and vegetables,

bounced on the trampoline,

and jumped off the step stool.

When she was ready to rest she wanted

the BIG Doll.  This is a doll my Mom made for Maria when she

was just a little girl.  Cordy loves to examine her.

She has a bellybutton!

She also has dimples on her knees and that made

Cordy think she had bellybuttons on her knees!

So, they snuggled up with me to watch an episode of

Wonder Pets.  I had to excuse myself from the snuggle

just long enough for the photo.

I love that little girl so much!

A Thursday Evening to Treasure

I am so very grateful to have our beautiful grandaughter, Cordelia, living in the same town as us.  I do NOT take that for granted!  It is such fun to watch her grow and learn and change!  I hadn't been around her as much for the last few weeks and I was really needing some Cordy time.  So, last night I took her home with me for the evening while her parents had an evening out.  It was a delightfully busy evening.  Here, I'll just show you some of it...

I thank God for this sweet little person in our lives!

A COOOOL Sunday!

We got to have little Miss Cordelia Sunday afternoon while her parents went to see a movie.   Cordy has proven that she has the obsessive gene that seems to be rampant in our family.  You know, the ability to TOTALLY focus on one goal only.  We received snow again and Cordelia love, love, loves snow!  Since we are grandparents, we just opened the door and let her check it out...

We all took her out for short bursts, Grandpa, Sam and me.  She was ecstatic and seemed oblivious to the cold.   I wasn't so oblivious so I brought her back into the house.  She was sweet about it but VERY persistent.  So, we compromised.............

She loved her snow in the house as much as she loved it outside.

Cordelia likes to share the things she loves.  She gave each of us pieces of her snow.

A bowl of snow...

Examining the snow...

Was your Sunday as COOL as our's?

A Little Visitor and Her Friends

This little beauty came by today.  We watched WonderPets! 

                    That's a pretty sweet way to start the week!