Watching Them Grow

It is a joy to be in Abilene with my grandchildren.  I am really loving watching them grow and change.

Each has his/her own personality and characteristics:  Maddie is the artist, writer, soft-spoken (except when she screams),  loves to read and is an excellent student.

Ella is our effervescent sprite with her own opinions. She is good at math, creative, helpful and loves to cook.

Sam just lost his first front tooth.  He is a red-haired ball of fun who loves to run, play soccer and has lots of friends--I am told that on the schoolyard, kids gravitate toward him; he also loves to draw.  And he is the sweetest, most obedient boy--I love that!

Thank you Lord for these days of watching!

Overnight with Maddie

Maddie and I finally got in a visit.  We had Chinese (P. F. Chang's Sweet and Sour) I love this item in the freezer--the chicken is wonderful and the accompaning fruit is very good--can't beat pineapple in a sweet and sour sauce.  Then we watched The Tale of Desperaux. Bolt (love that little dog) and went to bed to read.
Maddie is a prolific reader; she is now reading Louis Sachars Wayside Stories.  I had a copy of There's A Boy in the Girl's Bathroom by the same author for her to take home.  He is funny.  I got a Junior Thesaurus and showed her how to use it.  She already knew what it was.

This morning after the required Toaster Strudel breakfast, we played Apple Scrabble and SkipBo.  Maddie is very good at words; I need to buy a regular Scrabble game and see how she does at that.

The we got out Brandon's Lincoln  Logs (wood, not plastic) and she designed and built a two-story hotel, with a very fancy fence around it.  What a girl!

Loved it all.

Trunk or treat

One of the more pleasant things about the up-coming holiday is the new tradition of trunk or treat.  You simply back up your car in the church parking lot, install candy, and the children come in droves.

Last night Otter hosted one of the biggest of its history on Franklin Road.  So many cute little Cinderellas and super-heroes running around.  Of course, Sheryl made the kids' costumes--different and unique.  Maddie was Bat Woman, Sam was a proud Shark Boy and Ella was a very cute and stylish car hop.  Sheryl, however, was the hit of the evening dressed like Luci Arnez--red hair, big lips and all. I did not even know her at first.  What fun!

I decided to add oranges to my selections this year--they were cheap at Publix and they were a big hit as an alternative to all that chocolate.

Madeline Gail Thomas

Maddie is eight years old!!! Her party was fun yesterday as I watched her and her buddies swim, decorate flip-flops and enjoy cake and ice cream.

But I sat in a haze of amazement that she is already eight. She had her bright red hair in a long pig-tail, standing in a bluegreen knit dress, freckled on her forehead, nose and cheeks--looking for all the world like she had just stepped out of a Norman Rockwell painting--what a girl. And besides that she is smart,sweet, loves reading and writing, and is an artist. What more could a grandmother ask? I could eat her up! Grandmothering is such a wonderful task when the grandchildren are like Maddie, Ella, and Sam. I am thankful to God that I am still here and live in Nashville to watch them grow so fast.

Happy Birthday, Sam

Samuel Scott Thomas is 4 years old today! What a short 4 years it has been. I am so charmed by my favorite grandson (my only grandson!)--he is so different from his sisters, and yet so like them. His hair is red, his disposition is sunny, and his conversation is articulate. He likes Spiderman, the Power Rangers, and watching videos. His is temperament is sweet like his sisters, and he loves music like Maddie and is compassionate like Ella.

His birth has given us an added spark and joy in watching him become a typical boy -- rambunctious, inquisitive, and in some minor cases destructive (just to see how things tick).
He likes throwing things, riding his bike, jumping on the trampolene, and singing. May God bless his life as he grows in the knowledge of Jesus and his love.

I love you buddy boy. Happy birthday. Love, Nonnie

Maddie Reads!

When I entered her home last night, Maddie immediately brought me some of the books she is reading: Junie B. Jones and The Little House Series (Easy Reader series). Sheryl says that she goes to sleep with books on her bed every night, and she had been found reading under the covers after lights out. It is such joy to see reading take hold in children. I think that is why first grade teachers love their jobs so much! As has been often said, it seems that a light goes on somewhere and it all comes together in the brain.

Ella is following close behind--she read the Very Hungry Caterpillar to me last night and said that she loved all the books of Eric Carle.

But of course, all this might not have happened had Sheryl and Brandon been "too busy" to read aloud to them virtually every night from birth. Such a good beginning!

May they enjoy reading all their lives and find in it the joy and comfort and learning I find.

One-On-One

This Spring Break, we are doing a one-on-one program in which each of the three grandchildren get a night and day alone with Nonnie.


So far, it has been a rich experience. Ella (6)was first--her question in the door was "Nonnie, what are we going to do?" My answer: "Whatever you want to do--it's your day." So, we played

Restaurant (Ella wants to be waitress when she grows up); We had a tea party; She colored at the art table by herself; we watched the old Disney movie "So Dear to My Heart" together; we had Toaster Strudels with her initials in frosting on top; got out the Lincoln Logs --and generally had a wonderful time.


Maddie (7) came next--She wanted to do the Lincoln Logs and made a masterful house in no time at all--and then we did House Makeover with the spectators and the demolition. We printed bookmarks with Maddie's own verse and prose on the back (of course this thrilled me); we printed Power Rangers for Sam, and Maddie colored them. Then we did some things for Ella--Big Sister wanted gifts to take home (an indication of Maddie's big heart). We played Go Fish at which I was roundly beaten; Old Maid--beaten again; had a tea party, and Maddie read two books to me(Again Thrill!). She is reading so well at this point in first grade--really into the Junie B. Jones books.



Sam's time will come later in the week. He has already asked for a tea party with cookies.


There is nothing sweeter this side of heaven than drifing off to sleep feeling the light breath of a grandchild on your arm.

25 Things I Have Done in My Life

Again, for Maddie, Ella and Sam, here are some things I have done in my 71 years of living:

1. Traveled to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii
2. Ridden in a helicopter in Hawaii
3. Driven a go-cart
4. Written a book
5. Spoken to the State Convention of The Texas Library Association
6. Played canasta
7. Earned a batchelor's degree in English, a master's degree in Secondary Education, and certifications in Library
Science and School Supervision
8. Received awards in debate, writing. teaching and for furthering literacy and fighting censorship
9. Sung in a huge chorus for a religious event--The Gathering in Nashville
10. Learned to drive in a car with a stick shift
11. Collected movie magazines--Photoplay, Modern Screen, etc.
12. Collected items related to books
13. Donated hundreds of children's books to The Judy Thomas Collection at Abilene Christian University
14. Eaten rattlesnake
15. Met many famous children's book authors and illustrators
16. Attended several Broadway shows--My favorite: Les Miserables
17. Canned fresh vegetables in a hot water bath
18. Picked cotton
19. Was among the first certified elementary school librarians in the Abilene Public School System
20. Taught university classes, both graduate and undergraduate
21. Gone rafting
22. Sledded down a Cloudcroft N. M. hill on a huge tractor tire
23. Supervised the Abilene Public School Library System for a short term (not my favorite job!)
24. Was named "best children's librarian in Texas" by the Texas Library Assn. in 1990
25. Chaired the "Abilene Reads" campaign which invited all Abilenians to read the same book in 2002--part of a nation-wide campaign sponsored by public libraries.

And of course, there are many others things to do in the next few years.

Baby blessing

We had the annual baby blessing last night at Otter. It was a happy occasion full of crying, talking, and gurgling babies dressed to the teeth (lots of long christening dresses) and their loving anxious parents just hoping to make it through the ceremony without a meltdown or a blowout.

I find it interesting that not much is said about rearing children in the Bible--outside of Deut. and Proverbs. Oh, of course, Jesus called children to himself as well. In our child-centered society, one would expect more.

I do know that children who begin their lives in a loving two-parent home, surrounded by a committed Christian community are bound to be blessed in so many ways that others are not.
Former "children" of Otter testified last night about how important it was to them to have that support--although I think that sometimes they thought we were the "All-Seeing Eye" watching them.

Religious education and spiritual support of children is one way I have seen the church grow in my lifetime . The religious education part should always be alive to new educational developments and fresh approaches--sometimes a weakness. Spiritual support can be enhanced by a spiritually alive youth director such as David Rubio at Otter. He has made it a part of the training of his group to introduce them to the spiritual disciplines in the last few years. They know more about the spiritual disciplines than most of the adult parents, I think.

If all churches were asked, as we were last night, to commit ourselves to the spiritual support of their children and took it seriously, things might begin to happen that we can't even imagine.

Baby Gracie Rae was so exhausted from her trip to Houston that she was just a lump last night--but she looked lovely in her checked dress and satin socks. Yes, God bless Gracie Rae, Maddie, Ella, Sam and all the other children who are newly learning about you. May they bring this world your light and rejuvenate our pale and flickering faith.

On An Evening in December

On a recent evening in December (Saturday) Mommie and Daddy had to work quite late (2:20 a.m.) and so the 3 munchkins came to spend the night with Nonnie.

After watching Charlie Brown's Christmas, Rudolf, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and various other cartoons, we settled down to bed which quite an adventure. It was Sam's turn to sleep in my bed, but Ella was complaining because she thought she should--so Sam invited her to join us and said he would not feel squished. Queen-Maddie-Who-Doesn't-Like to Be-Touched-While-Sleeping got the pallet on the floor.

I don't think I slept more than 5 minutes at a time, as Ella (a flailer) turned over and over--I was afraid she would fall off, and Sam just burrowed down into his pillow, but he woke up at 1:30 saying he was thirsty, and then again at 5:30 done for the night. All in all it was fun--it is so sweet to watch them all sleeping and peaceful. I came to think that Sam has the profile of my father as I watched him. Beautiful, beautiful children all!!

Marble and Mud

Nathaniel Hawthorne once said, "Life is made up of marble and mud." The events of the past few days attest to that adage.

Musing about the sudden death of Prentice Meador and the empathetic feelings I have for Barbara brought back memories of those painful early widowhood days. Days when I was getting used to the absence of my love for 30 years, the empty chair at the table, the empty space on the right side of the bed, the lifeless clothing hanging in the closet, the empty pew beside me on Sunday morning, the grieving child, and days when I wondered what life would bring next. Fortunately those feelings subsided, and life became golden again (although with spaces still missing). And mud became marble.

Marble days abound in December--I can't go into any store (even the grocery store) without wonderful memories and excitement for the days to come with Maddie, Ella and Sam anticipating Santa. I have finally finished decoraating my house with many, many, many, many things collected over the past 47 years. Phew! I do love those lights on the tree and the stories behind some of the decorations. There are two white angels on my end table that Sam brought to our marriage--still intact (though with one glued wing)--and my favorite from him--a band of musicians made out of paper and colored pipe cleaners. I believe he bought them in the 50's. And a new decoration for the tree: Snowflake wooden frames holding the school pictures of Maddie, Ella and Sam. What joy!

Thank you God for the marble and mud of this life.

November, 2008 Memories

There are many Novembers I remember, especially the one of my marriage in 1962. But this month's memories are very special:

Maddie's Thanksgiving Program: There is something very patriotic in seeing the 3rd generation don Pilgrim costumes and singing "America the Beautiful." I remember doing that and reading a poem in my second grade program.

The Thomas Thanksgiving Production: When the children spend the night last Monday, they performed their own Thanksgiving program. A big box with a round hole on each side and two large kitchen spoons (oars) became the Mayflower. Pilgrim Ella rowed . Every now and then, she would put her hand to her forehead looking for land and eventually she said, "Land ho!" Indian Sam, in a paper vest decorated with pictographs and a feather head dress, sat in the box and said, "We come for food." Pilgrim Maddie wrote, produced, and narrated wearing a fringed vest made at school. One of my fondest memories!!!

Maddie's lost tooth: this is a big step in the growth process, and it looks like several of the bottom teeth will follow quickly. Of course, Sheryl and Brandon made this event a big one with glitter and cash.

Decorating the tree: The children also helped me decorate my Christmas tree. Flinging red, green and gold beads everywhere, hanging 3 ornaments on one branch often. Looking at the ornaments half-way up the tree, I could tell that they were getting taller. When we had hung the last ornament, they stepped back and said, "Nonnie, isn't this the most beautiful tree ever?" And it is.

1st Day of School

From all accounts the first day of school was a huge success. The girls looked so cute, and so grown in their uniforms and backpacks.

Maddie was thrilled to have her own calendar of events to keep in a folder, and Ella was looking forward to the treats the students get for earning stars. Maddie is looking forward to going to the gym today (so unlike her grandmother!!!).

We celebrated at Toyoma last night--the kids ate fried rice and teriyaki chicken as if they were starving. And I know that they will not fight sleep either--some of the real benefits of a scheduled day at school.

Thank you God bright, curious, ready-to-learn grandchildren.

Celebration

We have had a wonderful weekend celebrating Maddie's and America's birthdays. Friday night we went to Lipscomb for the A Cappella concert and fireworks. This ia a great family experience with no large crowds pressing, a kid-friendly environment and great fireworks. We all loved it. The kids played all around us while we passed the time with friends. After eating rocket popsicles, the children were bathed in sugar (epecially Sam who got so much blue flavoring on his arms it will just have to wear off).

Yesterday was Maddie's 7th birthday party. It is hard to imagine that seven years have passed since I got the call that she was here. I flew in just in time to see her first in the hospital--Sonya Colvert picked me up at the airport. Maddie was a beautiful baby as she is a beautiful girl. Her red hair did not show up until much later, but the gorgeous blue eyes were there from the beginning. Maddie is the consumate thinker and "feeler" of the group of three. She seems to have a literary bent (maybe from me), and is very artistic (with her mother as an model) and musical (with her father's genes). I know she would have my Sam Thomas wrapped around her little finger ready to give her anything her heart desired. Love the girl!

The birthday party was matchless, as are all parties planned by Sheryl. (See Brandon's blog for a discription and pictures). Perhaps the crowning point of the party was the sliding down the stairs on mattresses. The girls went home with monogrammed pillows, bath salts and bath oil and fancy make-up and hair-dos. Little Sam needs a Daddy date with boy things to get over all of it.

Afterward, we went to see Kit Kittredge. I highly recommend this one for family viewing. The period costumes were right on. The movie is set in the middle 30's with the attendant loss of jobs, recession, foreclosures and homelessness associated with the Great Depression. That was all a little too close to comfort as one compares what is happening today. About half-way through the film, I remember just relaxing and enjoying it in a way I have not enjoyed movies for a very long time. It may be old-fashioned, but it was picturing the 30's, and I really enjoyed it. (Sam went to sleep.)

Happy birthday Madeline Gail from your Nonnie.

This and That

It has been a busy weekend--here are some of the things I want to remember:

Maddie graduated from kindergarten on Friday--how did those five years pass so fast? Now instead of being our baby, she is almost seven years old and her legs are growing long, her mind is expanding, her beauty is growing. I love watching Maddie think--one can almost see the wheels turning in her head as she analyzes and begins to pose a question. Maddie is our thinker and organizer...she likes to have everything laid out and secure. Talented in music, art and mature in her childish judgements, I look forward to seeing her develop and grow even more.

On Saturday, I went with the Later Day Saints to Smyrna and Murfreesboro to tour the Sam Davis house and to see the Stones River Battlefield. Davis was quite a hero and his home has been restored in Smyrna very nicely. Our guide was intelligent and fun (there have been times on a tour when I knew more than the guide). The battlefield was very well-done as well. Instead of a boat-load of information from one guide, actors performed small vignettes of what occured the day before and the day of the battle. The book store there is one of the best Civil War bookstores I have seen so far. Unlike others, they stock children's books about the Civil War as well as adult histories. Books like April Morning....

I also managed to work in a viewing of the new Indiana Jones movie--loved it!!! Harrison Ford ages well. Of course the special effects are spectular and that iconic John Williams melody !!!

Landmarks

I am not sure what the derivation of "landmark" is, but I am taking it to mean important happenings in life. We have two for Maddie this week.

Yesterday, we attended Maddie's first piano recital. I say "first" because I hope there will be many more. She was very poised and played well. She seemed so Big!
It was good to hear her teacher say that Maddie has a musical gift, because I have long thought that. (I hope her teacher doesn't say that to everyone). I have a wonderful picture of Maddie enjoying the piano when she was only two years old. She has had the ability to pick out tunes by ear for a long time(which I think is a gift too). It was a shock when her parents heard the piano one morning and Maddie was playing a hymn they had sung the day before. At this point, Maddie doesn't complain about practice and seems to enjoy learning theory--it's a lot like math. Theory is something I never learned, and math is not one of my best subjects. It is a thrill to see your children or grandchildren excell in things that either you did not, or that you never had the opportunity to do.

On Friday we go to Kindergarten graduation for Maddie. Wow! Time passes too fast.

Reading to Maddie's class

Today I read a book to Maddie's class. It was fun and was a "been there, done that" feeling. The children were very good listeners and answered all my questions as I read.

The book was This is the Stable, a nicely illustrated book about the Nativity. After searching two major bookstores, I am disappointed in this year's crop of Christmas books. Patricia McKissack has a new one, but it is too long to read aloud and is a "girl" book about a doll. I didn't even find a new version of Twas the Night before Christmas to add to my collection. Maybe that is a sign that my collection is big enough!.

Still thankful

I am still thankful on this day after Thanksgiving--the meal was wonderful, if I do say so myself--Sheryl brought my favorite green bean casserole and some sweet potatoes. We ate and talked, and talked and then all went to see the new Disney movie Enchanted.



I recommend this movie for the whole family, although there were some scary parts (the old witch turns into a very scary dragon) (by the way, Susan Sarandon is a hoot at the stepmother and witch). The story line is fun--taken from so many fairy tales, it was interesting to sort them out with Maddie and Ella. Sam was transfixed with the action. I don't know how, but we ate popcorn and cokes and candy even though we were full. The Thomas family thinks a movie is not a movie without popcorn, candy and Coke. There were also references in the movie to other things like a King Kong sequence.



Yesterday was my 45th wedding anniversary--doesn't seem possible that it was that long ago. I haven't changed that much! Kennedy died on our first anniversary. I shall never forget the superintendent coming in and saying that school was closing and would not meet the next day because of the tragedy. That was one sad time when TV proved its mettle and helped millions grieve.

No, I am not one of those crazy people who get up at dawn or before and go shopping on Black Friday. You couldn't pay me to do it. Happy bargains to all who do.

Give thanks

I am in the middle of cooking--wanted to get an early start--and wouldn't you know, the electricity went off for about 2 hours! Couldn't even open a can to stir things up....Bah! But it is fun to get out the old recipes that are only used maybe twice a year and do them again. Tomorrow, I am having something new--my sister-in-law Dorothy (Aunt Bae) made what she called "Green Rice". It is a combination of broccoli and rice with a lot of other stuff thrown in. Also fixing Baked Corn--cream-stryle corn with whipped cream and butter (non-caloric, of course). Another borrowed recipe is Hashbrown Casserole from my sister-in-law Vicki. It has become a staple for us every holiday and special event. Rounding out is the turkey (smoked, this year) and dressing (always cornbread!).

We were put in the mood for the holiday yesterday by Maddie's kindergarten Thanksgiving program. She was a beautiful Pilgrim--so grown up!.

I hope all my readers have a wonderful holiday and that you do not get caught in the horrible weather that is coming our way and sure to cause airplane delays. May God bless you and your families. We thank him for blessing our family with good health, beautiful grandchildren, and children who are so wonderful.

Grandparenting

You know you are a grandparent when:

3 little munchkins (a redhead, a honey blonde, and strawberry blond )ring the doorbell to your heart and come in to stay.

You keep Juicy Juice in the fridge.

You make certain there is always sugarfree gum in your purse.

You buy things like frozen Chicken Nuggets ( which you would never touch) because the kids like them.

You save the little packets of sauce from Chick-Fil-A because the kids like to dip their CN in them.

You have a basket of toys in your closet even though your son is 37.

You are always on the look-out for Christmas stocking stuffers.

You buy holiday decorations that children would like (the current talking tree at Hallmark which plays the Adams Family theme.)

You send cards for Every holiday with cash inside for use at Target's 1$ bins.

You maintain a stock of crayons, water-colors, washable markers, drawing pads and coloring books on a small table in the kitchen.

You have children's games on your list of computer "Favorites."

You have returned to displaying children's art work on the fridge.

You don't have room for all the photos you would like to display.

You have a copy of the High School Musical Tour CD in the armoire along with The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Curious George, Annie and others .

You keep the ingredients for a tea party in your pantry including sugar cubes, along with Half and Half in the fridge.

You know exactly where the Polly Pockets displays are in Wal Mart and Target.

You keep a stock of inexpensive cards available for the kids to sign and send to parents, friends.

You buy three new pairs of pajamas for each season (Summer/Winter) because the kids like to change into them when they visit.

You save all the mints you get at restaurants and stash them in your purse for the kids to find.