Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Ellen plays baseball

Last spring I signed Ellen up for Challenger Baseball. Her teacher had been encouraging her to give it a try but Ellen is very hesitant to try something new. Soooo, I signed her up with out asking her. I was sure she would enjoy it. Eleen was sooooo sure she would not! She was very upset at me. The deal was for her to give a try for one season and if she didn't enjoy it she wouldn't need to do it again. Well, needless to say, she really enjoyed it! She was placed on the White Sox team with 2 of her friends. Her coach is her friend Elizabeth's Dad. We have been so impressed with this program. Kids with all kinds of challenges are able to play this great American game. Parents, siblings, grandparents and others cheer them on and provide assistance if needed. Ellen was ready to sign up again this spring. The games are played on Sunday afternoons at different park locations. Last Sunday was held at a Little League park near Quarryville. Getting there seemed to take forever! One great thing that happened because Ellen played baseball....she found out there is also a cheering program for kids with challenges. Cheering has been something she really, really wanted to do. What joy to see her participate in a sport of her dreams!



Ellen at bat.
It connected!

Chucky at bat. His sister gives some instruction.
Chucky's sister was Ellen's cheering coach.




Back to the game.....
Elizabeth and her Mom waiting for a hit.
Elizabeth's Dad is the White Sox coach.




Monday, May 24, 2010

In the past week....

......I:
  1. Received a phone call from my almost 2 yr. old Grandson, Aidan. He wanted to come see Nana. Mommy said he could call me. Not sure if that totally satisfied him but it surely made my day!!
  2. Removed more dirt, dust and mess than I care to admit! I'm not finished by any stretch of the imagination. I could be further along if I didn't feel compelled to look at each item which comes into view.
  3. Had a wonderful visit from Aidan, his sister Zoe and their Mother Christy on Thursday. We ate lunch outside on the deck. It was wonderful to have a nice day to be outdoors.
  4. Got a haircut, color and highlights. A great way to boost the mood!! I went a bit shorter. It's getting warmer and too much hair bothers me a lot!
  5. I also got a new pair of glasses. I'm very near sighted, meaning my script glasses are very thick even though I pay big bucks to get the thinnest lenses I can get. This pair I will wear over my contacts....has progressive lenses. I give up my readers - which I was constantly in a hunt for because I would lay them any where and every where when not in need of them. Thanks to Christy for helping me to choose them and to her very generous brother, one of the owners of Modern Eyes at Park City. I highly recommend them!
  6. Tried some new recipes. That isn't new, I do that all the time. But I am enjoying making decent meals. I now have the time. We eat a lot earlier since I became a stay at home Mom. Makes the evening seem longer which is ok.
  7. Attended a wedding on Saturday afternoon. It was beautiful. The groom works with Dale. His Mother is a relative....cousin's daughter. (Dorinda Fahnestock Heisey) This was her first child to marry. A heart rendering day for all of them. Her younger son asked her if Tyler would still come home for Christmas....I remember Ellen posing a similar question when one of her sibs got married. It's hard on the younger ones!
  8. Attended church on Sunday morning. Heard a challenging message on what 'I believe'.
  9. Attended a Challenger Baseball game near Quarryville. Ellen plays on the White Sox team. She had some good hits! Took some pictures, will post. If you ever have a chance to attend a Challenger game, take it. This is a wonderful chance for kids with all kinds of challenges to play the sport which is adapted for their needs. They have a blast!
  10. Had the family here for supper last evening after the game. Corey grilled (because PopPop was busy holding a sleeping Zoe), Kim brought potato and mac salad, Marcy and Scott provided rolls and an ice cream pie, Christy and Corey brought some sodas, salsa and chips. We had so much fun....again!

It was a good week!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Dancing up a storm!

Each year since Ellen has been in Middle School and now High School, the IU has provided a Prom the kids in their classrooms. It has been the highlight of Ellen's year. Ellen loves to dance. Parents have a half hour to take pictures then we say good by! This is a night for special needs kids to be more independent. Many teachers attend and if a child needs a personal attendant it must be someone other than a parent. Dale and I had dinner at JB Dawson's, did some shopping then stopped in at my sister Mary Ellen house. We always go back to the prom to see the kids dance to the last few songs. There is a whole lot of love at this dance. The kids accept each other, the teachers are making sure the kids are having a really good time and the parents who bring and pick up their kids are bursting at the seams with pride. Oh what a worthy event!



Our beautiful Ellen
(taken after the prom because it was too crowded earlier!)
Can you see her.......way across the room!

Ellen and her friend Ashley



Thursday, May 13, 2010

A day with some little ones

For those with children who have grown and moved on to their own lives will understand of what I speak. It brings such joy to see our children be responsible, have a home and bring us even greater joy in providing us some grandchildren! Today our daughter-in-law, Christy, was in need of someone to watch her children. Of course I was happy to fulfill this need. Now, I'm not old but I certainly am not as young as I once was. Little ones, especially nearly 2 yr. old little ones, bring with them an abundance of energy. And an keen sense of what they want, I must add! Aidan was OK to have his Mommy go....until she got to the door. He suddenly did not want her to leave with out him. What to do, what to do! My mind raced as I tried to think how to comfort him. Cookies!! Yes, I had some in a cupboard. I know he likes them very much and I didn't think his Mommy would mind if I offered him one....I was hoping it would take only one. Sometimes a child needs to have goodies in each hand, sometimes goodies will satisfy till they're gone and then the tears come again. I've been around this block a few times with my own kids! But I took a chance. As soon, and I mean as soon, as I pulled the pack of store brand chocolate chip cookies from the cupboard and asked him if he would like one, the tears stopped! Just like that! We were good for the rest of the time Mommy was gone. OK that was solved. Aidan likes to go outside. Thankfully Greta came home earlier than expected so she was able to take him outside while I took care of Zoe. Aidan enjoyed swinging, basketball and throwing a football. He loves balls. Most of the balls were still out from when he was here on Saturday. Zoe slept in my arms. I loved every minute of it! She easily smiles and loves to be talked to. I'm sure she will soon break out into a giggle. When Christy returned we sat and chatted while she fed Zoe and Aidan watched a short movie then bugged Ellen who by that time, was home from school. It's wonderful to be able to help our children. I remember my Mom and Dale's Mother and our sisters helping us out many times. Tomorrow I help my sister prepare her new home for move in day next Saturday. My work here waits. It's been here for a long time. Hasn't gone anywhere. It will be OK to wait a bit longer!

Aidan and Zoe visit with Nana



Aidan loves fruit smoothies!



Zoe shares a smile



Aidan also loves Mr. Potato Head.



Zoe hangs out. Just looking cute as usual!

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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Another day as a stay at home Mom

Sounds boring, I know. But it isn't. I'm new at this. Being home and blogging! I have 15 years of things to do that have been waiting.

I worked out with the Wii this morning. It certainly isn't a workout like I would get at a gym. That's ok with me. I also went to the mall. Ellen has the IU Prom on Friday evening. She needed a bracelet and a hairband to complete her outfit. I also needed to exchange the car charger for my phone. They gave me the wrong one 2 weeks ago. I haven't needed it yet but is nice to have. My new phone keeps a charge for more than a day or two! I also stopped at a discount grocery store to see what bargains I might find.

I won't have a lick of trouble keeping busy. I'll keep grandchildren Aidan and Zoe tomorrow afternoon and Friday help my sister Mary Ellen prepare her new house for moving and getting things ready for a yard sale.

Life is good!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

More Family Pictures

Dale and Ellen


Gina and her puppy Shiloh
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More family pictures.....

Greta and Lynn celebrate Greta's 20th birthday

Ellen

Our 2 oldest grandchildren - Laurencia and Andrew
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More pictures of the family

Daughter-in-law Christy holding her daughter Zoe

Our Granddaughter Paityn

Our Granddaughter Zoe

Our daughter Gina and her fiance Joe
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Random pics of the family


Daughter Kim holding Zoe

Daughter Marcy, her husband Scott and their daughter Paityn

Son Corey and his son Aidan
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How about that!

I always said I would create a blog someday. Today I start a new phase in my life and figured it was as good a day as I will get. How often will I post? Not sure. Stay tuned.....I have a lot to figure out!