Vacation Grammy 2009!!!

It was hard to say good-bye to my Mom (aka Grammy) after a very fun, almost two-week visit. Now, I'm struggling on how to document it on the blog. I think a categorical approach will work best.



Projects:

We didn't just let Grammy come and hang out...we actually put her to work. Remember my new kitchen chairs?? Well, here is a picture of Chloe enjoying/getting her cat hair all over one. They go perfectly in my kitchen, by the way.
The next project was a picture board to match Lauren's bedroom colors. "We" bought a cork board, covered it with fabric, laced it with ribbon and secured it with colorful brads and a few stitches. (I say "WE" but my contribution ended after the buying the cork board part.) This turned out just adorable...and it only took about 2 hours start to finish. Way to go Mom!!


The third and final project was basket liners for Lauren's bedroom. I think her bedroom is now complete with her big girl decor.
Now don't think Grammy focused all her energy and expertise toward Lauren. We just haven't gotten Tyler a big boy bedroom set yet. He's still sleeping in his toddler bed with his crib bedding and decor. And this leads us into the next Category of Vacation Grammy.

Entertaining Tyler:

I took full advantage of Grammy's visit and got me some things done (like going through my Tivo'd shows.) In the mean time Tyler attached himself to Grammy and told her what he would like her to do with him.

He often rested up so he could approach her with full force. =)

They played upstairs and downstairs.

They played with Little People...

and Race Cars...

Tyler was in heaven to have Grammy here while Lauren was away at school all day.

Speaking of school, we got to join Lauren for her Thanksgiving Lunch put on by her elementary school. This brings us to our next Category in Vacation Grammy.

FOOD (& Entertainment)

I didn't get a picture of the Entertainment part but I did take my mom to the Fox Theatre to see "In The Heights" for her birthday. We both really liked the show and if you get a chance to see it...definitely Go!

Lauren's school hosted a Thanksgiving Lunch and invited parents and grandparents to come. Grammy and I got to eat a school lunch with Lauren in the cafeteria. Wow! It's been a long time since I ate cafeteria food. (and in conclusion, not long enough) Lauren enjoyed it though and that's all that mattered.

Neighbor Dana wanted to make my mom a special Southern meal while she was here. Who are we to refuse some yummy home cookin'? She made a delicious meal of Ribs, Collards, Pinto Beans, Slaw and Cornbread and of course Sweet Tea (which she even made un-sweet for my Mom and I.) Yumm!


We also took advantage of some unconventional (yet Southern?) cooking. "Rac(c)oon Fingers" Hog Jowls" "Squirrel Gravy" "(O)Possum Stew" etc. etc.

We found these unique dishes (& some normal food too) at The Rock Ranch in The Rock, GA. We went for the Pumpkin Destruction festivities.

And this brings us to the final Category in Vacation Grammy 2009.

Fun in the Sun:

Most days during Grammy's visit the temps were in the upper 70s (except for the two days it took Hurricane Ida to pass through.) We definitely took advantage of the gorgeous November sun.

Pumpkin Destruction Days.

We saw pumpkins launched from canons, dropped from airplanes and personally thrown down from the lifts (the correct name of the machine eludes me.)

smashed!!

The Rock Ranch has other activities other than Pumpkin Destruction. If you are in the area I highly recommend you check them out. The kids rode the Cow Train...

We walked through the Right Turn Only Maze and did so much more.

Back home we enjoyed the November sun by playing outside.

Lea and Lauren went for a ride in the Jeep.

Tyler took his Jeep for a spin.

And then we moved onto Southern Surfing. Boogie Boards + semi big hill in the yard = GOOD TIMES.

Shep and Emma joined the fun.

Tyler gets a running startjumps on the board

and Away He Goes

Vacation Grammy was a complete success. We miss her and can't wait to see her again.

small project

I've been wanting to reupholster my kitchen-table chairs for awhile now. After 4+ years of kiddos eating and spilling on them the white fabric has really taken on a spotty grayish, brownish black color. I needed CHANGE. I needed them to look CLEAN. I pumped Grandma Jan for her advice and then when Grammy got here I dragged her to the nearest fabric store, Frugal Fabrics, and had her help me choose a new color.

It was frightening and intimidating to walk into the store full of fabric and spools of the scary unknown but since I had my Mommy with me I ventured ahead. We searched the aisles, found the perfect match (Sarandon Plain, Plum) and the nice lady who worked there was very helpful and informative while she cut 3 yards of the stuff for us.

Here I am with my first ever purchase from a Fabric store. It was a Monumental Moment!!

Back home we raided Matt's Toolbox and gathered all the tools we thought we might need and then some.

First we unscrewed the seats from the chairs and then yanked the old staples out. (That sentence was so easy to type but the actual process was quite the sweat inducing workout!)Next we cut the fabric into 8 equal squares. Why 8, you ask? Well honestly, I'm really not sure since we only have 6 chairs. Luckily! we bought enough fabric to cover 8 chairs if we needed to. Any suggestions for art projects for the last two squares?

Although I found Matt's hand staple gun in his toolbox, he suggested (over the phone since he was in the office) that we not use that and instead wait for him to get home so he could use his pneumatic staple gun. (He wasn't quite comfortable with letting Grammy and I loose with it.)

Later on Matt did his magic. Here is a before and after pic. I'm pretty sure that this new color will hide any and all stains. What do you think?

Just to be sure we went ahead and sprayed Scotch Guard all over them. After letting them dry in the beautiful 70 degree sun we went ahead and fastened them back on to the chairs.

One dinner down and ZERO stains to show. This is gonna be good.

I'm very proud of my little project. Thanks to all who helped (G'ma Jan, Grammy and of course Matty-cakes.)

Grandma Jan and Grandpa Michael!!

Hi! Remember me?!

We've been busy enjoying a visit from Grandma Jan and Grandpa Michael. We had a lot of fun during their visit and it's about time I posted all about it.

Lauren made sure to ask Grandma Jan (who is an extraordinary artist)to give her some art tips. (I didn't feel like going back and rotating the picture so just flip your head or turn your computer.)

For the remainder of the visit, Matt and I delegated evening story-time to the G-parents.

On Thursday while Lauren was at school, the rest of us attended Tyler's FALL FESTIVAL at his pre-school. Tyler wore the costume of Race Car Pit Crew. (but if you'd've asked him he would've said "Race Car Driver") There were plenty of games and activities and we managed to have a great time despite the constant threat and actual occurrence of rain.

throwing the balls at the pyramid of Cheerwine cans

bowling

golf

hand painting (a pumpkin)

hay-ride

(you can't tell but I'm pretty sure he had fun)

On Friday (while Lauren was again at school) G'pa, G'ma, Matt, Tyler and I hit the pavement in downtown Newnan for the Trick-or-Treat event. Tyler wore the costume of Train Conductor and trick-or-treated all over. I had a picture but I just deleted it and I don't have the PATIENCE to add it again. (sorry)

That afternoon Matt played with Tyler's new Optimus Prime Transformer. One of the two was Super-Excited.

While Grandma Jan and Grandpa Michael were here they treated us to a dinner out.

We went to Frank's at the Old Mill.

The food was great but everything else was seriously lacking.

AND..Tyler did not want his picture taken.

Didn't you hear him the first time?!

Halloween day we did up our pumpkins...

...the LAZY way...

with Sharpie markers Y'All.

and then it was time to get our

Trick-or-Treat on

Tyler as the "Punch Guy"

(2nd year in a row)

Lauren as Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty and the Punch Guy showing their love.

Matt and Grandpa Michael took the kids out in the cold and dripping rain. They lasted quite awhile with Lauren going back out after Tyler and G'pa Michael gave up.

Here's a picture of the kids' loot.

(I didn't get it X-Rayed for tacks...should've I?)

Sunday, Matt sent the kids to Miss Maria's house and told the rest of us to get in the car for a surprise destination.

WoW! A Surprise from Matt...it had to be good!

We headed West for about two hours

...into Alabama....

...into Talladega county...

...into the Talladega Superspeedway!!

and here we are! and there we were!

us Southerners are SERIOUS about our Nascar!

check out how close our seats were

if there were a wreck we could have possibly been seriously injured

a single file line of cars dominated most of the race (read this as "VERY BORING") but it was an awesome experience to be at the NASCAR race.The next day

Tyler and Lauren gave Grandpa Michael lots of big hugs...

Why the hugs you ask?

Look at what G'pa and G'ma bought for their G'kids.

Jeep Power Wheels

(one for each of them)

after the initial learning curve...these are

Tons and Tons and Tons of fun!

The rest of Grandma Jan and Grandpa Michael's visit was filled with fun and games. The favorite being "Duck, Duck, Goose"

Here are pics from the last crazy D.D.G. game

P.S. Here's a preview of the next post to come.

Grandma Jan and Grandpa Michael said goodbye to us but Grammy (my Mom) says HELLO!