Marlton, New Jersey, April 17, 2013

We will catch a shuttle tomorrow morning to JFK to fly to Paris tomorrow.  But meanwhile, here’s what we've been doing!

We have had such fun with the grandkids, Samantha and Sydney.  Their parents, Mike and Jenn are pretty terrific too!  Monday evening Sammy said to BC "Grandad tomorrow morning when I wake up, I'm going to snuggle you!"  What's better than a snuggle with Sammy in the morning?

A snuggle with Sammy and Sydney!

Tuesday we took the girls shopping.  We went to Joann Fabrics (sigh!) to buy ribbon for their dresses for Uncle Dandy and Aunt Joy’s wedding in May.  With their expert assistance we found the perfect ribbon.  And a few fat quarters to fondle.  (smile)

Then we went to Target to buy a washer for the shower.  Now think about that statement.  I didn’t realize how silly it sounded until Sammy said “Why do we need a washer for the shower?”  I mean, don’t you get washed by yourself in the shower?  In any case, there were no washers to be found, but we found a small cherry slurpee!!!  This slurpee was enjoyed very much by the girls and they had red tongues to prove it. 

Then onto the “man store”.  (Lowes)  When we walked in I said to Sammy “Smell it?  Doesn’t it smell like a man in here?”   She agreed.  We discussed buying some 10 foot piping, but decided to take a pink and purple paint chip instead.  BC found the washer, Sydney was in control of said washer at all times and we made it out of the store without any problems.  Whew!

Then onto home, lunch and a drive around the yard in the battery operated car and a game of hide and seek with grandad.  After all that we were all exhausted and had naps. After naps was story time!

We had a lovely evening with Mike and Jenn.  Mike has big news, but it’s best if you talk to him about it.  Suffice it to say, as usual, we are very proud of Mike.

Today we ventured out to Trader Joes for supplies for tonight’s cake-a-party for Lisa and BC.  They moved Trader Joe’s while we drove by it, so we went to Whole Foods.  There we found cookies to eat and of course, salad and chicken for dinner.  It’s so much more fun to shop with the girls!  And lo and behold on the way back home, we saw Trader Joe’s back in its place!  It’s a miracle!

We love spending time with the girls.  As all grandparents say, I know why young people have babies!  This morning I got the girls dressed.  I put Sydney’s shoes on even though she didn't cooperate very well.  I set her down from the dressing table and she wouldn't put her left foot down and said “Shoe off!”  I sighed and put her back on the dressing table and continued to force her foot into her shoe!  Then I looked at her feet and realized I had put her shoes on the wrong feet!  I laughed so hard and so did Sydney. 

After our adventure this morning the girls and I decorated cupcakes for the cake-a-party.  What fun!  Of course I taught them that you must taste all the frostings and decorations multiple times to make sure they are all good.  Each cupcake has its own candle; some even have candles upside down!  Not sure how we’ll light it, but it’s no problem.

While flying into Philadelphia Monday evening we watched the unfolding news about the bombings in Boston.  I’ll never understand why evil exists in our world.  Maybe to remind us how much good there is?  I don’t know.  We are sending prayers of love and healing to all those affected by the Boston bombings.

Well, we plan to have a lovely evening with Lisa and Greg and Jenn and the girls.  Yummy food, wonderful cupcakes for the cake-a-party and celebrations for 2 of our special family members.  Talk to you later!

bc and gc