Time with Grandchildren

Thank you to those of you who have inquired about my family's arrival and visit. I had hoped to post sooner, but our Internet access went down! After four years, our modem died at the most inappropriate time with Jill needing access to handle all sorts of business, and converse with her DH who is still in Australia (until the end of this week)! It been frustrating to say the least, but I expect regular access by tomorrow.

With Jill, Celina and Tay's arrival my days haven't been much about sewing or stitching. We're having some great times together. These are just a few things we've been doing.

Celina and Jill tried out the new basketball and hoop their first day. Being outdoors in the natural light seems to help one's body adjust to the 15-hour time difference.

For Tay, there's a swing in the backyard, and he took to it without hesitation!

Amazingly, their air cargo shipment of personal items made it from Australia to our house before they did! Inside one of the boxes was Tay's jumper which we were happy to set up for him. Get a load of those legs!

He's also fascinated by the quilt I made last week. It tickles me to no end that he's attracted to the various bright prints scattered across the top. He lays his hand on a design and "talks" to it, repeatedly returning to a couple favorite prints. Aussies will note, I hope with pleasure, that I bought the kangaroo toy next to him. This little Australian will not soon be allowed to forget where he came from.And about that 15 hour time difference... I'm surprised to say it, but Tay seems to have adjusted the most quickly. It was just a couple nights that he was awake for a while, with crying turning into babbling playtime, fussiness, and then sleep again. After less than a week, he's on the same schedule here that he was in Sydney. Celina turned it all around quickly too. Jill though is having a tough time making the switch. She's waking up at 2 a.m., trying to return to sleep, but then getting up at 3 or 4 a.m. Then, by 3 p.m., she can barely stay awake to carry on a conversation. Poor thing. It's especially wearing, being nearly six months pregnant.

Celina and I spent a half day in the sewing room, making fabric bookmarks similar to these. She's already using hers in a new book, The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan.

Celina and Tay met their second cousin, Esme, who is a month older than Tay, but much more petite. You can also see who has more hair. And Tay's already had a haircut!

My 80 year-old dad came for a visit Sunday and was glad to meet Tay for the first time.

Oh, we're all just so glad, and feeling very blessed, to have them near us again.