Friday, July 18, 2008

Grandpa's Here!

This morning we went to pick up my step Dad, aka "Grandpa" at the Amtrak station. The girls have not really developed an understanding of the concept of time, days, weeks, etc, but Daniel checks things on his calendar and keeps track. He has been so excited for about a month now. The last week or so he has been planning on wearing his "Grandpa Shirt" which says "Need Help? Call 1-800-Grandpa!" :o)


The train was 3 hours late, but we knew that ahead of time, so the wait wasn't too bad. We chose to sit outside on a bench and kept watching for the train to come. The Amtrak Police man gave the kids bad stickers. (D and J)


Here's A showing you hers, but she is checking it out to see what it looks like. She frequently does this and it cracks me up! She thinks that as long as her body is physically facing toward the camera it is okay. Countless pictures have her eyeballs looking in all directions! LOL

This is J showing her hat with the sticker on it. This is a crocheted hat from Thailand. It is from one of the craft ministries where young girls and women can earn money by means other than prostitution. I've had it a long time and it shrunk. The kids love it, especially J.



We sat there happily watching for the train to come and Grandpa to get off. The train came, but we waited for passengers. All the sudden, A says, "There's Grandpa!" I started to say "No, he hasn't gotten off the train yet" and then turned to see him standing behind us, having come off from the other direction! LOL This is D hugging him.


Here's J hugging Grandpa. You can see the hole in the top of the well loved hat! :o)


I only had my little point and shoot, so this didn't turn out very well, but it is the top of Grandpa's walking stick which he carved. He has been learning wood carving the last couple years.


Here is A, D, Grandpa and J in front of the train station.

This is D, talking to Grandma on the phone - Yes! He arrived safely Grandma!


This is A talking to Grandma on the phone.


Here we are... a motley crew! :o) Everyone helped by carrying something of Grandpa's!


Grandpa made these "buzz saw" toys for the kids and they have been challenged this afternoon to learn how to use them.



D reading to Grandpa from his "Daniel's Duck" story, which talks about some boys and wood carving.

Grandpa told the kids that he had Grandma in the suitcase! :o) He wanted to get her out so that she wouldn't suffocate and so they watched, knowing he wasn't telling the truth, but curious to see what he meant! He pulled out a picture of her. Oh Grandpa! So, now I am posting this, so that Grandma in the suitcase won't be kept in the dark! Four more tomorrows Grandma and we'll be hugging and kissing on you! We can't wait! I love you Mom!

4 comments:

Tracy Batchelder said...

You did a good job telling this story. I felt the excitement of the children and it reminded me of the times my grandparents came to visit us when we were little. They always had a surprise in their suitcase too.

SNOWBIRD said...

What a lovely welcome for Grandpa and the pictures are just priceless! I hope everyone has a great time and also with Grandma!

Theresa said...

I loved reading this post - and Grandpa reminds me of Paula Deen's husband! The pictures were great, especially the one with the hair clips!!
I forgot I hadn't picked out a picture yet. I had looked earlier and couldn't make up my mind (the usual), so I'll go back and take another look. They're all wonderful!
And no, I don't have a recipe for the spaghetti sauce - just tomatoes, sugar (a little to cut the acid)onions, peppers, salt, pepper, Italian herbs like basil, oregano, garlic, etc. Then I just taste it alot 'til it seems right!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Guess the adventure really started here. Grandpa sounds like FUN! (Grandma in suitcase -- *hee hee*)