Here is Corbyn with the bulb he planted at his Montessori school. We have been told his is the only surviving bulb!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Spring time
Cows in the fields!
It has been a very busy week. This time last week, our house continued to be completely full. However, Whitney was packing and getting ready to move into her own flat. While Martin continues to job hunt and apply for jobs all over the world. As much as I complain about not having any time for "me", I dread the day when I have plenty of that time. As it got closer to moving day for Whitney, I found myself regularly staring down the corridor to the three bedroom doors that, presumably, will be empty very soon. Two were definites in that.
Whitney moved out last Friday, but Corbyn was not going to join her until Sunday. As everyone knows, moving is chaos and no place for a 2 year old. He always stays with his Dad on Friday nights and does not come home until early evening anyway, so that was lucky. Oddly, Whitney and I had a day of beauty planned for Saturday! This was booked weeks ago, long before she knew she would get the keys for the 15th. I got a deal through Living Social Deals for a hair cut, blow dry, nails, make up and eyelashes done at a beauty salon in Glasgow. Whitney and I took the train up and walked to the beauty salon, not too far from the station. It was a nice day, but I would not go back. They were terrific and obviously very talented in each of their fields, but they appeared to be using the same lipstick, mascara, etc for clients which put me off going back. (my cousin sells Mary Kay make up in the States, so I have watched how she keeps everything hygienic and this was not apparent with them.) I did like the way they cut my hair, I am growing it for a cancer charity and was very worried they would not listen, but they shaped it well and that was a relief!
We went to Yo Sushi for lunch, we both really love sushi, but neither can eat raw fish. My niece in Atlanta introduced me to sushi years ago and showed how it is not all raw fish. Since then, I have been really hooked!
Whitney was a bit short with me about silly things on the way home, which did really hurt my feelings as I felt it was completely undeserved. But my hysterical weeping reaction took us both by surprise. I actually cried, although inwardly so as not to mess up the make up (which was really, really difficult because I could have easily sobbed and howled the way I felt). It was way over the top and it took me a few hours to realize it was not her rudeness, which all mothers get from their daughters, but the fact Corbyn was moving out! Suddenly I was not going to see him everyday and know all of his experiences and facial expressions. The way he ate what he thought was a grape and turned out to be a black olive and the face that went with that relevation! All those things would not happen around me on a daily basis. And I was completely heartbroken. How can grandparents cope when their children move to Australia or a partnership breaks up and they are not even allowed to see their grandchildren? I know I am so lucky and ridiculous in the way I reacted.
Whitney had plans for Saturday night and it had been arranged a while ago that we would babysit. Which was very special as the time for our house to be Corbyn's home was coming to an end. He was really tired from being with his dad and went to bed easily and quietly. Very nice for him (and me!).
Saturday was Corbyn's actual last night here in his home, but he spent the night with us on Sunday, as he will every Sunday so I can take him to the childminder when Whitney goes to work. Again, we had a nice evening together. Alan and I played Playmobil boats with him, transferring a load of "coal" from one part of the ship to another with a big crane. Playmobil has always been the best, my kids loved it and Corbyn loves it. Although I wonder if it is actually my husband who loves it because he has collected a huge amount of it since Corbyn was born! (plus searching out the things we already had!)
On Monday, Corbyn and I drove to Karen's house, as usual. On the way, we pass two fields that had cows on them last Spring and Summer, but in Scotland, cows do not spend the winter outdoors, not sure about other places. The fields have been empty through the winter. On this day, suddenly, there was livestock in the field, but it was sheep. Corbyn was happy to see them, but they were not what we had been looking for!
As I dropped Corbyn off, the tears returned since I realized I was now a "normal" grandmother and might not see him for a week.
Then I got my life back! As much as I have suffered at the thought of being alone (if you can call living with 3 other adults being alone). How much I would miss Corbyn and all that emotional carry on. Life is so much easier with him not there. We don't have to tip toe around the house when he is sleeping, if I start something, I can leave it lying when I get up and leave the room. Freedom again! Not to say I do not miss him, but it is not the painful longing I expected.
This is Thursday morning and we decided it would be much easier for all if I just picked up both Whitney and Corbyn and took him to Karen's then dropped Whitney at work. As I pulled in front of their door, it opened, Corbyn ran out and said "Hello MawMaw"! I got a big hug and all is well with the world!
To top this off, the cows have returned and Corbyn was delighted as we drove to Karen's. He shouted "Hello Cows". Last year, he just mooed when he saw them, but he has the words now to greet them (and me) properly!
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus
Whitney moved out last Friday, but Corbyn was not going to join her until Sunday. As everyone knows, moving is chaos and no place for a 2 year old. He always stays with his Dad on Friday nights and does not come home until early evening anyway, so that was lucky. Oddly, Whitney and I had a day of beauty planned for Saturday! This was booked weeks ago, long before she knew she would get the keys for the 15th. I got a deal through Living Social Deals for a hair cut, blow dry, nails, make up and eyelashes done at a beauty salon in Glasgow. Whitney and I took the train up and walked to the beauty salon, not too far from the station. It was a nice day, but I would not go back. They were terrific and obviously very talented in each of their fields, but they appeared to be using the same lipstick, mascara, etc for clients which put me off going back. (my cousin sells Mary Kay make up in the States, so I have watched how she keeps everything hygienic and this was not apparent with them.) I did like the way they cut my hair, I am growing it for a cancer charity and was very worried they would not listen, but they shaped it well and that was a relief!
We went to Yo Sushi for lunch, we both really love sushi, but neither can eat raw fish. My niece in Atlanta introduced me to sushi years ago and showed how it is not all raw fish. Since then, I have been really hooked!
Whitney was a bit short with me about silly things on the way home, which did really hurt my feelings as I felt it was completely undeserved. But my hysterical weeping reaction took us both by surprise. I actually cried, although inwardly so as not to mess up the make up (which was really, really difficult because I could have easily sobbed and howled the way I felt). It was way over the top and it took me a few hours to realize it was not her rudeness, which all mothers get from their daughters, but the fact Corbyn was moving out! Suddenly I was not going to see him everyday and know all of his experiences and facial expressions. The way he ate what he thought was a grape and turned out to be a black olive and the face that went with that relevation! All those things would not happen around me on a daily basis. And I was completely heartbroken. How can grandparents cope when their children move to Australia or a partnership breaks up and they are not even allowed to see their grandchildren? I know I am so lucky and ridiculous in the way I reacted.
Whitney had plans for Saturday night and it had been arranged a while ago that we would babysit. Which was very special as the time for our house to be Corbyn's home was coming to an end. He was really tired from being with his dad and went to bed easily and quietly. Very nice for him (and me!).
Saturday was Corbyn's actual last night here in his home, but he spent the night with us on Sunday, as he will every Sunday so I can take him to the childminder when Whitney goes to work. Again, we had a nice evening together. Alan and I played Playmobil boats with him, transferring a load of "coal" from one part of the ship to another with a big crane. Playmobil has always been the best, my kids loved it and Corbyn loves it. Although I wonder if it is actually my husband who loves it because he has collected a huge amount of it since Corbyn was born! (plus searching out the things we already had!)
On Monday, Corbyn and I drove to Karen's house, as usual. On the way, we pass two fields that had cows on them last Spring and Summer, but in Scotland, cows do not spend the winter outdoors, not sure about other places. The fields have been empty through the winter. On this day, suddenly, there was livestock in the field, but it was sheep. Corbyn was happy to see them, but they were not what we had been looking for!
As I dropped Corbyn off, the tears returned since I realized I was now a "normal" grandmother and might not see him for a week.
Then I got my life back! As much as I have suffered at the thought of being alone (if you can call living with 3 other adults being alone). How much I would miss Corbyn and all that emotional carry on. Life is so much easier with him not there. We don't have to tip toe around the house when he is sleeping, if I start something, I can leave it lying when I get up and leave the room. Freedom again! Not to say I do not miss him, but it is not the painful longing I expected.
This is Thursday morning and we decided it would be much easier for all if I just picked up both Whitney and Corbyn and took him to Karen's then dropped Whitney at work. As I pulled in front of their door, it opened, Corbyn ran out and said "Hello MawMaw"! I got a big hug and all is well with the world!
To top this off, the cows have returned and Corbyn was delighted as we drove to Karen's. He shouted "Hello Cows". Last year, he just mooed when he saw them, but he has the words now to greet them (and me) properly!
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
the joy of little dirty hands
Living with a two year old has its own daily, hourly, secondly....challenges. He is like a sponge grabbing knowledge and experience at a pace no adult can even strive to keep up with. The beauty of living with 4 generations is - Corbyn gets passed from one person to another when the energy levels get too low. Fabulous time for all concerned.
Corbyn and his Mum were out on a walk when I got home from work. Then he was playing with his wheelbarrow and just enjoying being outside. But people can't stay outside all the time. Let me rephrase that - Adults cannot stay outside all the time, two year olds would live outside! As the soft touch grandmother, when it was decided he had to come in, I came up with an activity I have been waiting to have a chance to do with Corbyn - we planted seeds! This is not his first time planting - he planted sunflowers last Spring and has got a bulb on the go from his Nursery School. (In fact, his bulb is the only one left alive!). But this was OUR first time and I was really excited about it.
My neighbour had given me a littl seed propogator on Saturday and it seemed the perfect size for Corbyn and me to use. We filled the tray with compost. I tried to get Corbyn to get his hands dirty. He is not really good at that, hates the feel of dirt or sand. (that is very surprising to me!) But he did get brave enough to touch the soil a bit and spread the seeds around. We chose a butterfly mixture of seeds, they are supposed to be planted where they will live, but that would not be as much fun for us. Corbyn seemed to understand these seeds were not the ones the birds are supposed to eat. He even called the propogator dome top a hat, so the birds would not "eat". Let us hope the seeds do not take too long so he does not get impatient!
Another interesting thing about my grandson and then I will stop!
He seemds to use sign language, just a bit. I think it is his own interpretation of signs though. He and his Mum watch a children's show where they do use sign, but he never seems interested in signing. But with things like "eat" he motions his folded fingers toward his mouth - miming eating.
One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show
Corbyn and his Mum were out on a walk when I got home from work. Then he was playing with his wheelbarrow and just enjoying being outside. But people can't stay outside all the time. Let me rephrase that - Adults cannot stay outside all the time, two year olds would live outside! As the soft touch grandmother, when it was decided he had to come in, I came up with an activity I have been waiting to have a chance to do with Corbyn - we planted seeds! This is not his first time planting - he planted sunflowers last Spring and has got a bulb on the go from his Nursery School. (In fact, his bulb is the only one left alive!). But this was OUR first time and I was really excited about it.
My neighbour had given me a littl seed propogator on Saturday and it seemed the perfect size for Corbyn and me to use. We filled the tray with compost. I tried to get Corbyn to get his hands dirty. He is not really good at that, hates the feel of dirt or sand. (that is very surprising to me!) But he did get brave enough to touch the soil a bit and spread the seeds around. We chose a butterfly mixture of seeds, they are supposed to be planted where they will live, but that would not be as much fun for us. Corbyn seemed to understand these seeds were not the ones the birds are supposed to eat. He even called the propogator dome top a hat, so the birds would not "eat". Let us hope the seeds do not take too long so he does not get impatient!
Another interesting thing about my grandson and then I will stop!
He seemds to use sign language, just a bit. I think it is his own interpretation of signs though. He and his Mum watch a children's show where they do use sign, but he never seems interested in signing. But with things like "eat" he motions his folded fingers toward his mouth - miming eating.
One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
One in - One out
This week shows what a fantastic location we live in! With Prestwick Airport just a 15 minute drive away and Ryanair still offering good air fares, it is relatively easy to get to Europe.
My daughter, Whitney, went over to Paris with a friend and had a great time. She does not really fill me in with details, but I do know they went up the Eiffel Tower. Something I have never done.....even after being in Paris 3 or 4 times. The first time I went, was after a summer at the Goethe Institute in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. A friend I met there suggested treating ourselves to a few days in Paris before going home. She had lived in Paris while perfecting her French. (Helene was a French Canadian and worked as a translator in their Parliament) We saved our funds and had an amazing time there. However, we did not go up the Eiffel Tower due to the extreme cost! The last time I was in Paris was with Alan and I told him we HAD to do the Eiffel Tower. And it was not the cost that stopped us this time, it was the really long queue. We were only there for the day, impossible to spend over an hour in line waiting. Maybe next time.........
While Whitney was gone, we got a whole day to spend with Corbyn! I had loads of plans - like planting seeds and playing with new outdoor toys I had bought. None of this happened though. Two year olds move really fast and get disappointed even faster. We were outside before I realized the toys were still in my car. So that will have to wait. And the potting soil I thought I had seen, was top soil. So we have to wait for this too. So being 2 was an advantage. Corbyn was unaware that he missed out on all the fun, because he was having too much fun to notice!
It is a pleasure to watch Corbyn develop. This is something parents do not have time for because they are too busy making their child safe, healthy and socially acceptable! Grandparents are not burdened by such responsibilities and have the option to sit back and watch. With Corbyn actually living with us, we are able to watch and listen much more than "normal" grandparents! What is fascinating me just now is hearing Corbyn work on making an "L" sound. He used to say "Bay yee", for our dog's name - Bailey. Now he is making an "L" sound but you can literally hear the tongue working around the letter. It is absolutely amazing. It is not just the dog's name, but words like pillow and hello. Such fun to listen!
Martin left last night for Italy, he is working there this week. I don't know the details, but he will be filming school children on a skiing trip! Sort of making an advertisement for the company to show other schools. He intends to get a bit of skiing in as well. He and I went to the Newmilns dri ski slope on Saturday so he could get a refresher on skiing. I hope he has the chance to practice and really enjoy where he is this week. (I must admit to being a bit jealous, I used to love to ski but have not done anymore than dry slopes once or twice since I moved to Scotland)
"The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway." ~Henry Boye
My daughter, Whitney, went over to Paris with a friend and had a great time. She does not really fill me in with details, but I do know they went up the Eiffel Tower. Something I have never done.....even after being in Paris 3 or 4 times. The first time I went, was after a summer at the Goethe Institute in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. A friend I met there suggested treating ourselves to a few days in Paris before going home. She had lived in Paris while perfecting her French. (Helene was a French Canadian and worked as a translator in their Parliament) We saved our funds and had an amazing time there. However, we did not go up the Eiffel Tower due to the extreme cost! The last time I was in Paris was with Alan and I told him we HAD to do the Eiffel Tower. And it was not the cost that stopped us this time, it was the really long queue. We were only there for the day, impossible to spend over an hour in line waiting. Maybe next time.........
While Whitney was gone, we got a whole day to spend with Corbyn! I had loads of plans - like planting seeds and playing with new outdoor toys I had bought. None of this happened though. Two year olds move really fast and get disappointed even faster. We were outside before I realized the toys were still in my car. So that will have to wait. And the potting soil I thought I had seen, was top soil. So we have to wait for this too. So being 2 was an advantage. Corbyn was unaware that he missed out on all the fun, because he was having too much fun to notice!
It is a pleasure to watch Corbyn develop. This is something parents do not have time for because they are too busy making their child safe, healthy and socially acceptable! Grandparents are not burdened by such responsibilities and have the option to sit back and watch. With Corbyn actually living with us, we are able to watch and listen much more than "normal" grandparents! What is fascinating me just now is hearing Corbyn work on making an "L" sound. He used to say "Bay yee", for our dog's name - Bailey. Now he is making an "L" sound but you can literally hear the tongue working around the letter. It is absolutely amazing. It is not just the dog's name, but words like pillow and hello. Such fun to listen!
Martin left last night for Italy, he is working there this week. I don't know the details, but he will be filming school children on a skiing trip! Sort of making an advertisement for the company to show other schools. He intends to get a bit of skiing in as well. He and I went to the Newmilns dri ski slope on Saturday so he could get a refresher on skiing. I hope he has the chance to practice and really enjoy where he is this week. (I must admit to being a bit jealous, I used to love to ski but have not done anymore than dry slopes once or twice since I moved to Scotland)
"The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway." ~Henry Boye
Friday, April 1, 2011
Mother's Day
In the UK, Mother's Day is this Sunday! There is a history of Mothering Sunday here, which is associated with going to your mother church in the middle of Lent. This tradition started when so many people left home to work in other areas and, so I am told, only had that one day a year to go home.
It has always been a confusing time for our family because, to me, Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May. We have gone back and forth about when to celebrate Mother's Day, but I have learned that when it is postponed to May, typically the family forgets. So a few years ago, it was decided to go with the flow and keep to the UK date.
Now, my daughter has asked to change the date to May, but only for this year! She is going away to Paris today for the weekend. It should be a fantastic time for her, but she realized after the plans were made that she would miss Mother's Day. Lucky for her, being a dual citizen, she can choose whichever day suits! So all the Mothers in my house: me, Mom and Whitney, will celebrate in May. Although, I have already bought the cards for the day, since there will be none available in May. This change is not happening to Alan's mother though. She has always had Mothering Sunday as her Mother's Day and it would not be fair to ask her to change. And it makes it easy, since both mothers in our family (mine and Alan's) will have their own special day. My mother will have to share with Whitney and me, but it will be really nice when it does happen!
It has always been a confusing time for our family because, to me, Mother's Day is the second Sunday in May. We have gone back and forth about when to celebrate Mother's Day, but I have learned that when it is postponed to May, typically the family forgets. So a few years ago, it was decided to go with the flow and keep to the UK date.
Now, my daughter has asked to change the date to May, but only for this year! She is going away to Paris today for the weekend. It should be a fantastic time for her, but she realized after the plans were made that she would miss Mother's Day. Lucky for her, being a dual citizen, she can choose whichever day suits! So all the Mothers in my house: me, Mom and Whitney, will celebrate in May. Although, I have already bought the cards for the day, since there will be none available in May. This change is not happening to Alan's mother though. She has always had Mothering Sunday as her Mother's Day and it would not be fair to ask her to change. And it makes it easy, since both mothers in our family (mine and Alan's) will have their own special day. My mother will have to share with Whitney and me, but it will be really nice when it does happen!
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