Thought of Me

My neighbor, Margaret, thought of me.
Her Mother-in-law's best friend died. They were both quilters.
The mother-in-law asked Margaret to help her clean out her friends sewing center.
Margaret took one look at all the quilting stuff and thought of Me. She was taking a car load (she made 3 trips) out of her car and stopped me and Sharen and told me to take what I wanted. OMG! She had bins and bins of fabric. I told her I can wait till she gets organized and finds out what she wanted to keep and donate to her church and then I would look it over.
No, she insisted I help myself right then and there.
She handed me 3 large bins and I filled them up.
This lady knew how to shop for fabric. This stuff is "Quilt Shop" fabric. I pretty sure she didn't get this stuff from Joannes or Walmart or even Hobby Lobby.
I got very excited and emotional going thru this fabric. I could see this women's vision in some of the material. She was clearly a traditional quilter - like me.

sorting colors

I helped myself to colors I prefer, creams, golds, browns, reds, blues, and some black. She invited me back when she hauls the greens and the rest of the blues over. I tried to stay away from the theme fabrics. We talked about the "Quilt of Valor" quilts so She insisted I take all the patriotic prints.
I am now in the process of combining hers with mine. I can't show you it all, because that would mean I would have to get the bins out of my closet.

sorting just the cottons

I must admit - This is fun. I can't wait to get going on a quilt. I plan to make this women proud and show Margaret that she will not be disappointed she "Thought of Me".

Dylan's Party

Who graduated from High School?
This Guy!!

Stacy went all out for her first born Graduation party.
She planned it all out just like a proud Mama. The weather was HOT so she had stuff to do outside and inside in the air conditioning.
I was very excited when she asked me to help with decorations.
She used all the graduation pictures that I had taken last fall and we put them in mason jars with silly grad hats on top. She put some in picture frames (that she let me decorate) for people to take home.
But the funniest I had when I was walking through Menards garden section and spotted a trellis. I thought about the song that Sharen and Jon danced to at his wedding. "As I watched you Grow" and came up with this idea. It's hard to see But that's what it says at the top, and Stacy put his pictures growing up.

Owen was amazed at how tall Dylan was.

It was a very nice time and I'm so proud of Dylan. I'm also very proud of Stacy and her endless commitment to her kids. 

Roger and Luke

Last day of school for Roger was Friday and what better way to celebrate then a weekend with Grandpa and Grandma Millikan.
Our plan was to keep them fed and active.
Even though the rain put a crimp in the outdoor  activities we did get in a few bike rides. Mike and I had to dust off our bike helmets. It's been years since we have worn them. I know miracle that we still had them in the garage. Helmets on and off we go!

I found some sling shots at the dollar store and seriously what boys doesn't like to shoot balls in the air. I did try to catch them, but that was a disaster. The fire pit was wet so it was s'mores on the grill.

I made the boys put on pants. Luke: "You know it's hot out right?" Me: "You don't want to feed the mosquitos. Right?"

Notice the blue plastic in the background? That is my make shift down spout. We still haven't gotten the eaves fixed from the tree mishap and it's been raining a lot. So it's off the roof and down the plastic.

Day 2 started out rainy too, so Mike set up the Wii.

Roger's first time out and he beat Mike/me (Mike started the game and I finished).

Big Smile - Who doesn't like to win

We set up a profile for Roger and he took off - working up a sweat most times. Tennis was a favorite. He played with all of us and got mighty good at it. He does like to point out that he is the top scorer in the bubble raft game. Grandma is the queen of the hula hoop. grandpa is tops on most of the other games.

Luke is really into "Hidden Pictures" and he like to fix puzzles (puzzles makes me Happy!!) so it was a no brainer for me to buy these puzzles that included both.

When we weren't playing "Can you Find?" with the puzzles He and Grandpa got the spy glasses out and looked in the books.

"Do you see it?"

While Sharen and I were taking our daily walk Sunday, Mike took the boys to Wal-Mart. Lemon Heads were the only thing on the grocery list. I think Mike was just giving me a break. he does love spoiling the grandkids. 

Of course they come home with Legos.

Luke comes running in the door shouting "Grandma, they have the lego set that grandpa wants for fathers Day. You better go get it" The Millennium Falcon.

Roger: "yeah, they only have 4 left."

Who needs instructions? Rogers lego world

Monday Mike went off to work so it was just me and the boys. 

They were both pretty tired from the weekend so I got out my Tupperware full of change and gave them paper sleeves and we spent an hour or more stuffing coins. Bryan was a big fan of this too when he was little.

Best part they got to take the money home.

We planned one last thing before heading home. A trip to Cantigny park. Monday the museums are closed so we figured that the park would be less crowded.

It was!

We first had to map out our plan. The boys were excited to see the park in the floor. No, I did not step on it - didn't get even close.

there's the tanks

 On to the tank park. there are 12 tanks and the boys climbed on them ALL. They had them all to them selves. I was a little cautious  and heard a few times "I can do it myself." Mike gave a few boosts, but for the most part they did pretty good. Most of the time they ran from tank to tank and were up on them before we got there. 

I had the boys put on their coats, but they really didn't need them. Except to hide from the bad guys.

A short stop at the playground and I could tell the boys were hungry and tired. Time to head on home.

What better way to end the "vacation with Grandma and grandpa" then a trip to DQ.

Blizzards

There was 2 elderly women sitting in there having ice cream cones and when we left they told me I was lucky to have such well behaved grandkids that love me. 

YES, I am.

Luke's Graduation

So our little Luke is heading off to kindergarten.
He is very nervous about starting over at a new school.
He has been at his daycare since he was 3 months old. He has some really good friends (the kind that you can map out a plan with just a look kind). And of course he's not to excited about changing schools. Roger has talked up his school and his new teacher - so time will tell.


The ceremony was so sweet. 2 girls end up crying which made the 2 teachers with tears in their eyes.
Some are staying thru the summer, but for some Friday was their last day.

waiting patiently

Miss Kathy giving him his reading medal

One of their performances

Luke's progressive pictures from the slide show



Proud Grandparents



So dream big sweet boy. Take life a moment at a time and make them all count. I know you can do great things. Shine little star!!!!