They're Growing Up

I'm so happy that more new grandchildren continue to arrive - the youngest three are Joshua, who just turned a year old; Evangeline (Evy) who is now 8 months; and our new little Emma, just five days old. Then comes Claire (21 months), Annikah who turns 4 next week; and Silas, already 4 1/2. Each one is unique, and with each age come new discoveries - all so wonderful to see and to be a part of. But knowing new babies have continued to be born to our family especially makes me happy because Joel, the oldest, is growing up too quickly!! Today was his first day of kindergarten - full day kindergarten! It's strange to think that he won't be home or coming to Grandma's house during the day anymore - at least not during the week.

We recently enjoyed having Joel over for dinner and a sleepover. It's fun to see him starting to enjoy more varieties of foods and activities. He helped me put together a Taco Ring (Pampered Chef!) for dinner, and he enjoyed eating it as much as he did preparing it! Then Grandpa and I took him miniature golfing for his first time. He was a natural with the club - I only beat him by one point (of course Grandpa beat both of us by many points)!


Anyway, with Joel officially starting elementary school, I wanted to give him something special; and I know that kindergarten has a rest time every day. Most of the kids bring a beach towel or something similar to rest on, but I thought Joel might like his own comfy fleece blanket. He went to the fabric store with me a week or so ago and picked out this dinosaur print. We decided on yellow (his favorite color) for the contrasting side. I brought it to a local embroidery place to have his name sewn on to make it truly his, and then put it all together yesterday, just in time for his first day of school. Here is our kindergartner proudly displaying his rest time blanket!


We are so proud of Joel - he is a great role model for all of his siblings and cousins. I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes his "teacher's pet" before long!

#7 is Here!

Yup - we are grandparents again! Emma Annette Schumacher arrived safely on August 19 to Justin and Annie. She weighed in at 9 lb. 3 oz., and measured 21 inches long, with a full head of black hair! She is another adorable little grand daughter, and we feel so blessed.

Her big sister Claire was definitely excited to meet her. She is all ready to trade all of her dolls for the real thing!

What a precious little family!

Claire stayed with us while her mommy, daddy, and sister were in the hospital. She kept busy playing mommy with Grammy's doll, Lucy . . .

enjoyed yummy treats like ice cream and fruit snacks . . .

played games with Babu . . .

. . . and loved coloring at the same table that he mommy and grammy used when they were little girls.

Latest Project

Justin and Annie have been moving things around in their house to prepare for Baby Shoe #2. They moved to the master suite in their basement; Justin moved the office to a new space in the basement that he built/created in part of their former large laundry room; his former office has been transformed into a playroom for Claire; and Claire is now in her "big girl" room, which is Justin and Annie's former bedroom. That leaves the nursery ready for their new daughter's arrival any day now. Justin and Annie have been working madly all summer - mostly Justin, I should say - building walls, laying floors, moving furniture, enlarging closets, and now desigining and building a shed. Annie's contribution has been painting, consulting, encouraging, and keeping Claire busy while Justin works.

Somehow I got involved, too. Annie wanted new curtains for Claire's big girl room, and that's where I come in. She wanted a special style that I had sewn for them in their Chattanooga house a few years ago. I still had the pattern, so agreed to help. We went to the fabric store together and bought fabric to complement Claire's new comforter. The color scheme in the new room is hot pink, gray, and black and white. I finished the curtains about a week ago, and last Sunday afternoon Justin and I worked together to mount them on a board. So weird - the pattern is called "Jiffy Swag," but it is one of the most complicated projects I have ever done. I read and reread the directions over and over every step of the way. Then instead of a curtain rod, they are stapled to a board covered with fabric. The piping is then stapled on, too, around the edge of the board as a finishing touch. I guess the actual sewing part was "jiffy," but the measuring, cutting, and mounting were not!

The project is finally done, and we are all happy with the results! Claire's room is now done - one more thing checked off of their list!