Owen is 10

 So our baby grandson turned double digit. Owen loves to cook. He is always in the kitchen helping Mom. This summer he took a cooking class and his love for cooking grew.

His birthday wish was to spend a day in the kitchen with Grandma. I was all in!

He loves my homemade Mac n cheese so that was certainly on the menu. I suggested a birthday cake so he could make my Mom’s buttercream frosting (which he eats from the bowl) and play around with my decorating supplies.

First thing was to get him looking like a chef.

Apron and chefs hat

I told him my most important step in baking. Baking is measured - so first read the recipe and get out all the ingredients. Whenever you are done with using the ingredient, put it away. You never know when you will get interrupted and lose your thought about using each ingredient. That’s what he did. We used a cake mix, chocolate of course and added extra chips.

Next came the frosting. I told him he could taste as much as he thought he needed too. He is the cook, just had to use a different spoon each time. He was all in.

Cook approved

While the cake was baking - he tackled the Mac n cheese. He made it from scratch starting with the roux. He hesitated, but with some encouragement from Grandma he pushed through. I told him everybody has to do it a first time. Next time it will be easier. Now cooking you have a recipe, but you can embellish to taste. He really liked that idea.

Taste testing the Mac

Yummy

Now time to decorate that cake. He colored some frosting orange for some pumpkins.

Filling the piping bag

Piping the pumpkins

This was so much fun. He really did all of it himself. I just stood by for questions. 

I asked him what he is gonna remember most. 

1. Looking into the measuring cup for the 1C. Line 

2. When done piping push the bag down on the cake instead of lifting up. 

3. (My Favorite) Grandma like to sing while she cooks and spending time with just her was the best birthday gift.

Not his favorite part was the clean up. He didn’t hesitate to get the dishes done. I did send this photo to Mary and Bryan - neither one could believe he volunteered to clean up.

Grandparents Day

 I always look forward to this day each year. Mike and I get invited to Mary Seay of Wisdom school so as Owen says so they can “show us off”.

This year Grandma Murphey was in Italy, Mike had to stay home, because they were pouring our new patio (post to follow) and Grandma and Grandpa Flory left early.

All to Myself

This  picture made to the schools Facebook page and is the cover picture for the days posted pictures. Pretty special.

I visited Roegr first and saw his Mable run.

Pretty impressive thing

On the way to Luke’s room Roger took me to the library- he loves to read and he says he’s really gonna miss it. I laughed a little and told him his library next year in HS will be 10 times larger.We found Luke in his classroom where I got to meet his teacher.

On to Owen’s class where he was there to meet us and show me around his classroom and meet some of his friends.

He’s a hugger

We then headed down to the church where they say a special mass for the grandparents. It was strongly suggested to me, by all 3 boys, that I sit between Owen and Luke. It also helped that Roger’s religion teacher join us in the pew. It’s a very emotional mass for me. I get choked up every time when the kids stand and pray over their grandparents. It was a very good day, just me and me 3 grand babies. 

Tackle Football

 My Grandson Luke is a huge football fan. His dream has always been to play tackle football.

Even as a toddler he loved football

Problem was Luke was born with a life changing bladder issue. He had his first surgery when he was days old. His first few weeks he had a catheter. Bryan and Mary took him to several specialist even traveling to Michigan searching for help. Mary grew exhausted, searched the internet and making phone calls. Help was found at Comers Children Hospital. Relief! Luke was getting superior help. 

He was put on medicine to help, and visited the hospital every 6 months to have his bladder checked.

He potty trained just like most, but he had to learn to empty his bladder often. Mary got him a watch to wear that buzzed him every 2 hours to remind him to potty. Bryan and Mary took turns waking him up every night to relieve himself (for 9 years - every night) Luke had occasional accident so I lined his underwear with plastic diaper material. He called it his “Magic Underwear”. Just a normal kid with a bladder condition. Luke took it all in stride. When Luke was 9 he had a  Mitrofanoff  procedure. A very very difficult decision for Bryan and Mary to make.

Major surgery that has changed his life. 

Luke got the go ahead to play tackle football this year. I choke up every time I see him in uniform. Ok maybe every time I think of him playing. 

Put me in coach

I dare you to come my way

 

Luke had a great season. He loved playing and tackle somebody. It was really great to watch him.

His Mom and Dad