Outgrowing Grandma

On the way home from a get-together with friends tonight, Landen asked why parents don't keep growing taller like kids do. I explained that usually by the time girls are in high school, they're about finished growing and that the same goes for boys by the time they finish college. That seemed to satisfy him, which is when Lauren asked if people shrink. I explained that sometimes the curving of the spine in old age does probably shrink a person's height just a bit. That's when Lauren asked the question that inspired this blog post, "Great grandma must have shrunk!"

You see, my grandma (Lauren's great grandma) is not even five foot tall. I still remember outgrowing her by the time I reached junior high. It sure made me feel grown up to be looking down at Grandma. I had never thought of it before, but I guess Lauren's right...she must have shrunk.

Dinosaurs on Loan

My great grandpa, who we affectionately call Pa Pa Tom, spent the night at our house yesterday on his way back to Missouri from visiting relatives in Scott City. The kids have always enjoyed Pa Pa Tom’s visits and Landen was especially delighted to have a buddy to play with. They played some baseball outside and, later in the evening, Landen pulled out several different toys and games so he and Pa Pa Tom could play. They played everything from “bowling” to “dinosaur attack” with Landen’s little plastic dinosaurs.

This morning, Landen brought the dinosaurs out again. And, though sharing does not come naturally to Landen, I heard him ask Pa Pa Tom the following question just as he was getting ready to leave, “Do you want to borrow my dinosaurs?”

Play Time

Fun at the Lake

Cheer for Me

Landen finally got his wish! Two large water guns - one for him and one for Dad. Knowing that tomorrow will likely be the first big water gun battle was almost more excitement than he could bear.

After I tucked him into bed tonight, he whispered, "Mom, cheer for me when I shoot Daddy because I want to squirt him good." Almost as if reading my mind, he followed up quickly with, "Lauren can cheer for Daddy."

Babies Grow Up Fast!

One day, we noticed that a bird had made a nest
in my front porch decoration. Our whole family
enjoyed watching the birds grow over the course
of two weeks - until today when all but one of them
flew away. I'm sure glad we get to keep our youngin's
longer than that!

Peeking in!

April 20th - feed me!

April 23rd - growing bigger!

May 1st - look at those feathers!

May 5th - all but one has flown away!

Froggy Fun

Lauren is an animal lover and has always loved living creatures of all kinds. When she was four, she held a tarantula and a giant beetle, for goodness sake. So, it doesn't surprise me the other day when she captured a frog in the backyard and starting begging me to keep it as a pet.

Much to Jim's dismay, I was starting to give in. We made a little "habitat" for Mr. Frog out of a fish bowl and were planning to buy some crickets at the pet store this evening.

I had to run a few errands this afternoon and when I arrived home, Lauren dragged me to the backyard. "We lost him!" she exclaimed. Yes, while playing hide-and-seek with Mr. Frog, Lauren and the neighbor girl lost him.

Lauren is heartbroken. As her mom, I feel sad for her, but I must admit that I'm secretly happy I don't have to buy crickets tonight.