Baking with Betty (or I should say Bettys)

Last Saturday, Maddy and I started what we plan to be an annual holiday tradition!

Baking with the littles!

 This year, only granddaughter Janie met the age requirement - 4 years old -- for baking fun!  

Next year, her brother Walt will meet the required age too!

After we picked her up, we took her out for lunch!  

She had a special meal of chicken tenders, french fries and chocolate milk.  

She followed her Aunt Maddy's lead and dipped her fries and her chicken 

in ranch dressing and washed it all down with that delicious chocolate milk. 

 Yummy!

Jane was quite the little baker!  She turned the candy cane 

around so it was the letter "J."

After the cookies cooled and were frosted, she was in charge of sprinkles!

That girl knows how to put some sprinkles on cookies!

Almost time to test the cookies!

Betty Crocker always does a taste test!

Is that picture behind her crooked or is my picture-taking crooked??  It's driving me crazy!

Jane declared the cookies to be out of this world!

She made sure to take some home for her brothers and also for her friends!

We had such a fun time!

Bonus - Muffy enjoyed tasting a 

few sprinkles that fell on the floor and lots of playtime with Janie!

A tradition is born!

A Grand Time!

Earlier this month, I was able to spend some special time with

 the littles, aka my grandkids, Janie and Walt! 

My son and his wife went on a little getaway for a few days and left me in charge!!

Bring out the Hershey kisses-- Mimi's in the house! :)

Me --  What?  You're Leaving? 

In case you're wondering,

Janie is 3 already and Walt is 2 -- such fun and busy ages!
I was a little nervous to be left on my own -- but my daughter-in-law
is super organized, efficient and left home-made meals for us!
Plus the kiddos are on a great schedule and routine.

Don't tell his parents -- I only finger-combed his hair for 3 days!

We went to the park, played outside on the slide, did loads of paints,

watched a few Thomas the Train episodes and . . .

Miss Janie learned how to go potty!! 

Yay Janie!! 

 She did fabulous and earned lots of little incentive rewards along the way.

I attempted to show Walt the potty too,

but he said NO in a very big voice. 

Your turn next time Buddy!

Artist Janie at Work

Probably one of the reasons Janie was so excited to go potty was to
see me do the "Elaine" dance! :)
That put a big smile on her face!

 

I admit that I did have a Billy Crystal "Parental Guidance" moment

when I couldn't get Walt's car seat unbuckled and almost had to hoist the seat out. 

Instead, I pulled the poor little guy out through the top of the straps. 

And then we never got in the car again!

 

 

 

So happy to have been able to help Philip and Catherine

have a little break before their new baby arrives in August. 

If it's a girl, they promised to let me name her in payment for working with Janie! 

Kidding --

but that's a good idea, isn't it! 

 

Being in Omaha for a few days with the littles,

you know who I really missed 

(besides Mr. Tennis and Maddy, of course)

 was my Mom. 

I just know she would love to be around the littles. 

She was so proud of all of her grandkids and would adore her great-grands too!
I think of her and miss her every single day.
Love you Mom.

 

Happy Birthday to Janie B!

A very happy birthday to the

sweetest 3-year old around!

Janie at 3 months -- love this photo!

Little Miss Janie, my very first granddaughter, turned 3 today!

 

At the top of her birthday wish list . . . a hairdryer!  :)

 

Happy to report that her wish was granted!

 

Janie is an amazing little girl and I'm not the least bit biased!

 

She's sweet and thoughtful and helpful with her younger brother. 

 Janie is very bright, has the cutest little face and says the most darling things. 

Did I tell you that she is very bright and most adorable?? 

Yes, it's true!

Looking sweet in her pearls at 3 years old!

We're spreading the celebrating out a bit ,and

 I will have much more to report and many more photos later this month,

 but I just couldn't let the day go by without saying,

 

Happy Birthday Janie --

 we love you to the moon and back!!

On Being an Auntie - Sunday Snapshot

Maddy had the opportunity to be a hands-on Auntie yesterday when Miss Janie stopped by to spend a few hours with us!

They read books, shared toys, munched on snacks and Janie listened intently when Maddy showed her how to do something. Of course, we couldn't help ourselves and stuck a big bow in her hair!

One of Janie's favorites, besides checking out numerous stuffed animals, was Maddy's Glo-doodle. What a talented toddler -- she already knows how to draw on the Glo-doodle!!

At one point, Janie saw a photo magnet of Maddy on the refrigerator, pointed to it, said "Maddy" and then gave it a big kiss! So much sweetness!

A stroller ride and visit to the park for some swinging was next on our schedule. Janie enjoyed it when I pushed her on the swing, but when Maddy gave her a push, she laughed out loud! Being a Auntie is so special! Once Baby Walt is older, it will definitely be double the fun!

Come again soon Janie!

She's 1 and He's Way More than That!

Two celebrations last weekend. Little Miss Janie turned 1 earlier in February and

her Dad (my son) turned a lot older than that!

Somebody help me -- do the math -- he turned 26!

Her Mom, Catherine, made the cutest little ladybug tutu for her birthday -- adorable!

Maddy helped decorate the cupcakes -- don't they look fabulous!

They were extremely yummy too!

Mr. Tennis had two, no make that three;

well, actually he ate the one meant for Cboo -- so he had 4 cupcakes!!

We had so much fun visiting and celebrating the birthdays!

Maddy had a blast with her little niece and helped her . . .

let's face it, Maddy opened all the presents for Janie.

Janie was a bit preoccupied with demolishing her birthday cupcake!

Isn't she the cutest little girl!

Happy Birthday Janie and Philip!

I know the next year is going to be an exciting

and wonderful one for your whole family!

A Special Visitor!!

[Adorable Janie Boo!]

We had a little visitor over the weekend -- the perfect guest!

She brought her own food, her own sleeping accommodations, her own playthings. All she needed was a little space, a few diaper changes and some yummy bottles. Can you guess who it was? Yes, little Miss Janie Boo -- our granddaughter!

[Sweet Janie]

She arrived Saturday afternoon for playtime with Mimi (moi) and Maddy and Muffy while her parents attended a football game. She loved Maddy and wanted to touch and hold her silky hair -- which Maddy generously allowed -- even though Janie's grip got a little tight. She said hello to silly Muffy. Muffy was delighted to have some new little hands to lick and tickle!

[Philip and his baby girl]

She has the biggest blue eyes and sweetest disposition - there's always a smile on her adorable little face. She likes to chat and babble at whoever will listen. She already knows how to say Dada -- in Chinese, no less -- as she calls Philip, Baba! Yes, we do believe she is a genius! She's 7 months old now and quite the little crawler. She babbles and blows bubbles -- we are blessed to have such a beautiful and sweet baby girl in our family!


[Catherine & Janie -- beautiful Mom and beautiful baby]

The weather was perfect for some outside time, so I dug out a jogging stroller that I bought when Maddy was 4 (Not sure what I was thinking buying a stroller for a 4-year old!).

Maddy was actually getting too big for it, so it was like new. It was perfecto and such a smooth ride! While Maddy played at a friend's house, Janie and I went for a couple walks. I don't know if it was me, the scenery or the fact that her little tummy was full, but she fell asleep both times. It was such a treat for us to have her and her parents visit.

Thanks for the wonderful visit, Philip, Catherine & Janie. Come back soon!!

[Photos by Sara Rogers Photography]

The Sweetest Face!

Oh my -- look at that most adorable little face of my sweet baby granddaughter, Janie Boo!

Have you seen anything more precious???

No, I didn't think so!

Look at those eyes and eyelashes!

No Latisse* needed there, even though I would totally share mine!

Last weekend was little Miss Janie's baptism.

It was the sweetest ceremony made all the more special since the

priest has known (and loved, I'm sure of it) Catherine's family for many years.

We are indeed blessed beyond measure to have this incredible baby girl in our family!

Hats R Us!

[Philip with his baby girl Jane]

We love hats!

Maddy loves to wear a hat sometimes. Mr. Tennis loves them and wears a cute (?) cap with a little light in the bill for working outside in the yard. You know, if it gets dark before he finishes that yard work, he turns on the light -- now that is a look you don't want to miss!! I love hats in the summer to protect/hide my curly/frizzy/problem hair!

And now Baby Janie loves them too!

After Janie was born, I ordered these hand-crocheted hats from an etsy gal that I found on-line. Really, they are so beautiful, made me want to take up knitting or crocheting!

They are perfect for spring-time weather when it is a little chilly on walks through the neighborhood or even just sitting around the house!

Look at that cute little belly and those big eyes! Looks like she is thinking "Did I really drink that whole BIG bottle?"

I may be a tad biased, but isn't she one of the most beautiful babies ever!! :)