Sent: July 28, 2008 10:52 PM
Subject: Grandma and the Kids
It was an extremely busy month, and I think it’s been Grandma Irene who’s been busiest of all:
- She drove to Minnesota by herself, hosted Cate and I at the lake for five days, and then drove herself back to Texas
- She sold the house in Minnesota after sixteen months on the market
- She hosted both Jack and Cate for six days at the Heritage Ranch Kids’ Camp. Each day of the week, they were busy with activities from 8:30 AM until 9:00 PM — if it would’ve been me, I (frankly) would’ve resorted to heavy drinking
- She drove with Jack and me back to Minnesota. Together, we packed all our personal possessions so she could close on the lake house and make her final move to Texas. She’s excited that she’s officially a Texan now, but it was incredibly sad to see the lake house go
Beyond all of that, it’s still been a busy month for the Nelsongang (and the printer-friendly gang):
- Jack & I have watched Steve Jobs’ last 2 keynotes together on my iPhone. Every few days, he now asks if for a new “commercial” we can watch
- I asked Cate if she was enjoying spending her Summer with Clare. “Yes,” she replied, “but I think I saw her darker side today.” Sure she didn’t understand what she was saying (mainly because Clare doesn’t seem to have anything remotely approximating a ‘dark side’), I asked what she meant. She explained: “I saw her arguing with her Mom today.”
- Cate, surveying Jack’s WebKinz online world: “Your yard is much nicer than mine.” A minute later, Cate commented that she now had a pond in her yard. Jack responded: “Yeah, yours sounds really nice too.”
- There’s a “disco ball” In Jack’s WebKinz virtual bedroom. I’m mildly concerned.
- While playing Webkinz later in the month, Cate explained to Jack: “I never got a hammock because I thought they were too expensive.” She gets it from me. Trust me, she gets it from me.
- While in Minnesota, Cate and I went to a Thai restaurant to celebrate Peggy’s birthday. I was so proud that I didn’t need to worry about eating at a restaurant without a kids’ menu — she eats everything
- Jack watching a life insurance commercial: “Great Grandma Ruth needs that.” They’re victims of marketing
- One evening we decide we’d go out for dinner, but Jack demurred: “I don’t want to go out or I don’t feel good.” I think it’s great that he gives us options
- Cate to Jack (who was being a little bossy): “You’re not the manager of me!” Manager. Boss. What’s the difference?
- While packing for Kids’ Camp, Lisa asked Cate if she should pack a blankie. Cate practically rolled her eyes: “I’m a big girl, Mom.”
- Jack and I had been traveling through planes and airports for six hours before I realized Jack’s shirt was on backwards. No wonder all the Moms were pointing and tsk-tsk’ing
That’s it for now!
Lisa and Greg
