October 2016-Willow's 1st Birthday!

Willow & Books

Willow Lamb

Beautiful Family

Crawling with Annie

At McWane Center
 

Emergency Room Trip-with
Asthma-Oct 23

When I was hopeful she would win

Beautiful girls

Brock Lyla Willow



Willow's new chair by Lyla's

 

The month began with a wonderful birthday party at McWane Center on Saturday, October 1. It was the child of a friend of Angela's so Lyla didn't know Caine, the honoree, who was turning 7. But we went to McWane Center at 1:00 pm & didn't leave until 6 pm closing time! Lyla had a blast! Afterwards we ate at Taziki's by UAB then went to visit Angela at work in L&D at UAB afterwards. I took Lyla home in time for bath and bed. I returned to Angela's on Monday, October 3 about 8:30. I took Willow to the park. It was a beautiful day and a lot of little kids were there. Angela went to Lyla's class for "job demonstrations" then we played outside with Willow while Lyla rode her new bike. On Wednesday I stayed with Willow while Angela & Brock went to Lyla's school for the annual "teacher conference". On Thursday I played with the girls outside before taking Lyla to school & taking Willow to the Mt. Laurel diner, "Jimbo's", for breakfast (the first of many times) and then we shopped at Publix grocery (my first time to grocery shop alone with Willow). After lunch & nap I took Willow to pick up Lyla at school then to the park in the wagon. Brock met us there & I spent the night at Angela's, sleeping upstairs on the air mattress as they were continuing to wean Lyla to be able to sleep in her room alone. Friday was the first day I kept both girls all day alone because Lyla didn't have school October 7. Sunday October 9 was the 2nd presidential debate between Hillary Clinton & Donald Trump. Monday October 10 was a holiday for Lyla. I stayed with Willow while Angela & Lyla went out. Then I took Lyla for yogurt before I went home. Tuesday I went to Angela's early since Lyla was back in school & Angela was back at work. After taking Lyla to school Willow & I went to the park & the grocery store & played upstairs before nap. Brock picked up Lyla at school. I went to bed early because Lyla was now sleeping with someone in in the upstairs bedroom with the door open. "Weaning" was almost complete! Angela didn't work Wednesday so she helped with the girls in the morning but I took Lyla to school & she screamed all the way to the car! It was a beautiful day & I took Willow out in the stroller. On Thursday Angela had appointments & errands and I took Willow to Jimbo's again for breakfast...which eventually became a daily event after dropping Lyla out at school! On Friday, October 14 Angela & Willow came to our house while her house was being cleaned. She brought Annie the dog to stay with us for a few days. Later in the afternoon I picked up Willow's birthday cake & took it to Angela's & picked up Lyla at school & stayed at the park with her until 6:30 pm. She had a great time! Then she went to my house to spend the night. The next morning after watching a Barbie movie from the library I took Lyla home. Angela, Lyla, Willow, friends in town for Willow's birthday and I went to the Mt. Laurel Fall Festival. Then we returned home for Willow's 1st birthday party! Although it seemed her birthday was too early, I always remember the adage I heard one time re: children: "The years fly & the days crawl". As the mother of an only child, juggling things, time & energy between two children was an adjustment at times. Lyla & Willow will always have each other. Although they are very different (Brock says one looks like she escaped from a Kibbutz & the other from a Lutheran day care), it is a joy to see them develop a relationship that they will always have. And they are very much alike in that each is precious & funny & smart...and a joy to have in my life!

One year old Willow

After a few days in Mobile visiting my mother I returned to Angela's early am Thursday October 20. Willow & I ate at Jimbo's. It was a beautiful day. Brock picked up Lyla from school. I spent the night at their house. Friday am both Angela & Brock went to work early. I took Lyla to school in sweat  pants because I didn't have time to dress. Brock was home by 2 & I picked up Lyla at 3 & we stayed at the park until 6 pm! Lyla spent the night with me & woke up twice coughing. We met Angela Saturday afternoon at the Summit after buying Steel City Pops. On Sunday Angela called to tell me Lyla had been to Children's Emergency Room due to coughing/asthma. Monday morning Angela took Lyla to school & I stayed with Willow while she did errands. I went home after Brock came home. Wednesday both Angela & Brock worked and I took Willow to the park after taking Lyla to school. Brock took Lyla home in the bicycle carrier & I stayed at the house with Willow until Lyla got back from ballet lesson. On Thursday I went to read with the children in Lyla's class (Ms. Shelley is her teacher). Saturday I took Lyla to neighborhood garage sales & then to the park & to Let's Play then to my house to spend the night. She was sweet. After watching shows and coloring & playing on Sunday I took her home. I held Willow while Brock bathed Lyla then I listened to Lyla read while Brock put Willow to bed. I was amazed at how well she could read! Monday was Halloween & another month ended! Willow was now one year old. How did that happen so quickly?

September 2016-Lyla turns 5 years old!

Angela, Kristina & Me at Lyla's 5th birthday party

This month Lyla turns 5 years old! The month started with just the afternoon with Lyla. I picked her up at school and we went to John's house across the street from the park (Parents are Jennifer & Mark; I've blanked on their last name.) It was great to get out of the heat. I returned to Angela's early Friday am. Lyla ate 16 pancakes for breakfast! After we dropped Lyla out at school Willow & I saw a large flock of geese in the empty field by their house! I had a good day with Willow. We went to the park for a short time after school & then I went to Mobile for a visit with "Great-grandmother". This month was 15 years since "9/11" when the 2 planes crashed into the World Trade Center & another one into the Pentagon & the 4th plane (which may have been headed to the White House) crashed in Pennsylvania due to intervention by the passengers. On Tuesday September 6 I had a good morning with Lyla & Willow then "crashed" into a piece of furniture while playing with Willow in the house. I had a deep gash which was bled a lot! I called Georgia's mother, Jennifer, who came over & stayed with Willow while I went to get 7 stitches at the Urgent Care Clinic. Brock came home at 3 pm so I could take Lyla to the Birthday Party for Hilltop Montessori School at Treetop. It was a great party! I spent the night in Lyla's room and on Wednesday I stayed while Angela took a nap.then I picked up Lyla at school & went to the park until time for Brock to take her to ballet. On Thursday Angela & Brock both worked. I took Willow to the library and stayed with her until Brock got home after picking up Lyla at Madi's house where she went after school. Then I went home for the night until I picked up Lyla at school on Friday. We went to Walmart to buy some Barbies & ate at Taziki's then spent the night at my house. Lyla was sweet. On Saturday we ate at Chic Fil A then went to Let's Play before I took her home at 5 pm. I visited with Brock & Willow then I went home. On Monday, September 12 I stayed with Willow while Angela slept & the piano tuner made the piano that Linda & I had when we were young sound good! I picked up Lyla at school & stayed at the park with the girls until 5:30 pm. On Tuesday Willow had a fever. Brock picked up Lyla at school  and I spent the night sleeping in Lyla's room. Wednesday Angela was off but I stayed to help with Willow & take Lyla to school & the park after school. Brock took Lyla to ballet & I went home, taking Annie the dog with me. Thursday morning Lyla & Willow came to my house while the house was being cleaned. Willow had blood in her stool & Angela & I took her to the doctor. Then I went to Walmart to buy snacks for Lyla's birthday celebration at school on Friday. I ran into Cindy Dodd, with whom I had worked for 25 years. It was great to visit with her & catch up on things. In a way I miss working, but I'm grateful I was able to retire & enjoy being with Lyla & Willow & helping Angela & Brock be able to work & not put the girls in daycare. When I got home from the grocery Nitza & Koplan had arrived & I went home. On Saturday, September 17 I picked up the cake & went to Lyla's 5th birthday party at her house! Kristina, Frank, Eli & Maggie Rae were there as well as many others! It was a fun party. We gave Lyla a bicycle. On Monday Annie the dog & I returned to Angela's. I followed her & Willow to take her car to the Toyoto dealer then stayed to pick up Lyla & go to the park before dropping her at home & heading to my home. Tuesday afternoon I returned to Angela's to stay with Willow while Angela & Brock picked up the car with Lyla. Then I went home to return the next day to pick up Lyla at school & go to the park until Brock took her to dancing & I went home. I returned the next morning & took Lyla to school & stayed with Willow while Angela worked Thursday & Friday. I spent Thursday night in Lyla's room. On Friday Brock picked up Lyla at 3:00 pm at school (after 2:00 pm art class) and I went home. On Saturday afternoon I took Lyla to Chuck E Cheese then got take-out at Chipotle and took her home. Sunday afternoon the 25th I met Angela & the girls for lunch at Johnny Rockets then got Steel City Pops. On Monday I renewed my RN license for the last time. Even though I'm not working I had already done the Continuing Education so I renewed it. I had been an RN since 1973...43 years! On Tuesday I picked up Lyla at school & took her to the park where it was hot! I took her home at 5:00 pm. On Thursday I went to Angela's at noon & picked up Lyla at school & went to the park until 5:30. I spent the night sleeping outside of Lyla's room (in process of getting her to sleep in her room alone). On Friday I took Lyla to school & spent the day with Willow. Lyla's art class was unexpectedly cancelled & I had to wake Willow early from her nap to get Lyla from school. We stayed at the park after Brock picked up Willow and Lyla went home with me to spend the night. We ate & shopped for a birthday gift for next day party on the way home to my house. And September came to an end.

Geese in the neighborhood

Willow's library

Almost 1 year!

At Lyla's 5th bday party



Morning before school

Lyla's art work



Classmates at school on Birthday!

August 2016...Lyla starts Kindergarten

August 2 I kept Willow while Angela & Brock worked & Lyla was in Florida with Nitza. Then I got to spend the night with Willow while Angela & Brock went out to dinner. On August 9 Lyla went all the way across the "monkey bars" at Mt. Laurel park for the first time with me there! August 10 I picked up Lyla & we spent the whole day at "Let's Play". I spent the afternoon & night with the girls on August 11 and went home the afternoon of August 12. On Saturday I took Lyla to a "horse painting" birthday party for Jax & then went to Let's Play until it closed. Then she spent the night with me. On Sunday I took her home & stayed with both girls while Angela & Brock went to Open House at Hilltop. Monday August 15 Lyla started Kindergarten and summer was over....I stayed with girls while Brock went to Open House at MBHS. Tuesday-Friday I spent part of everyday with Willow and/or Lyla then Friday night Wayne & I went to Starkville  & spent Friday & Saturday night with Maggie Rae & Eli while Kristina & Frank were out of town.

Monday August 22 was the first day I got Lyla to school by myself since Willow was born. Lyla did great. Angela was off work but asleep. This week was the last of Angela's "weekends only" working. Tuesday I picked up Lyla at school & took her to the park. Wednesday morning I got both girls up to get Lyla to school in the carpool line. That night I got Willow bathed & gave her a bottle & put her to bed myself for the first time! I spent the night & helped with girls on Thursday while Angela was at home. My phone fell in the toilet! Because Angela was at home I was able to go buy a new phone before I picked up Lyla at school! Maybe the phone accident is why I have so few pictures for the July & August? On Friday August 26 I picked up Lyla at school & went to the park & then spent the night while Angela & Brock went to a wedding. I went home Saturday morning. On Sunday I didn't feel well & went to bed early. Later I realized that my nausea & stomach pain was possibly the beginning of what became a stomach volvulus in December 2016. Monday afternoon I helped with Willow & then picked up Lyla at school & went to the part until 5:00 pm then took Lyla home & returned the next day & spent the night, sleeping on the air mattress in Lyla's room! The last day of August I spent the day but Angela wasn't at work but had a MD appointment & I stayed with the girls while Angela & Brock went to a faculty dinner at MBHS. I stayed in Lyla's room until she went to sleep then went home to my bed! And August 2016 ended.

 

As I'm writing this in September 2017, I'm not sure why I write so many details of days with the girls. But each of the days are precious although sometimes long. Time goes by so quickly. I think one day I will enjoy reading about the days with the girls while they were little. As the saying goes "the days crawl but the years fly". I believe that is true so I'll keep writing details for now so I can enjoy the memories later...which is coming quickly!

July 2016...Where did all the pictures go?

I'm writing this in September 2017! It's been over a year since I updated the blog in June 2016. Fortunately I keep a calendar & most pictures have a date. However in my file of July 2016 pictures there is only one! But we did more than go to the beach in July 2016! I kept Willow & Lyla July 6 while Angela worked & Brock did some early morning hiking then spent the whole afternoon at "Let's Play" which happened to be packed with kids that day. On July 8 we went to Let's Play again for the day & then Jackson Green spent 2 nights at our house with Lyla while Shari went to Mobile. I took Lyla  home on Sunday evening after Jackson left. Did I not take any pictures? Or can I just not find them?  Lyla went camping with Brock in North Carolina while I stayed with Willow while Angela worked. Willow got her first tooth! On July 15 Kristina dropped Maggie Rae & Eli at our house & I picked up Lyla & took the 3 grandchildren to Let's Play for the day and all 3 spent the night at our house until Kristina returned on Saturday. Then I took Lyla home and drove to Mobile for a visit with my mother. While I was there Angela & Lyla drove over from Gulf Shores for a visit. I realized Mother didn't know who Lyla was which made me sad. And made me fear what my mind might be like when I am 96 years old...if I live that long. The next morning I drove to Gulf Shores to join Angela, Brock & the girls at the beach in Shelby Wright's condo where we had stayed many times when Angela was in junior high & high school. It was very hot. Saturday morning Lyla & I went to a "Characters Breakfast" at the Hangout & had a great time then we headed back to Birmingham stopping at the Peach Park en route.

When I got home Jacob & Jackson were there alone while Wayne was at work. Shari &

Abigail arrived late Saturday night. On Sunday we picked up Lyla to join us for take-out lunch from Taziki's. As always, Abigail was very sweet to Lyla! I got to put Willow to bed while Brock bathed Lyla after I took her home. It was a long day but a good day full of Grand grandchildren! At the end of July was the Democratic Convention where Hillary Clinton was nominated as President. It was so inspiring & seemed so inevitable that she would defeat Donald Trump. How naïve we were...

June 2016-Summertime

Checking out Friday night movies at Library

Sleeping at Granny's

Exer-saucer

Swimming Lessons at the YMCA

With Cousins Maggie Rae & Eli

Respiratory Therapy

Sisters in Florida at Nitza's

Flying with your beautiful Mother

Falling in love with books!

Growing up!

Sweet Sisters

Cleaning house!!

Checking on Papa's Tomatoes

The first day of June I stayed with Willow while Lyla & Angela went to the zoo. I enjoy time alone with Willow. I like to observe her on the camera. It’s still amazing to me how parents can see & hear their children, and even push a button & talk to them remotely! When Angela was a baby there were not even audio monitors. What was actually going on while babies were in bed was a mystery! Today I watched Willow study her hands intently before going to sleep. Hands are amazing things…and her hands are going to do many amazing things. She is now eating all sorts of food-fresh & from pouches. I think she will eat as well as Lyla does. Angela & Brock are so good at establishing healthy eating & sleeping habits for both girls. I admire that. On Wednesday I got to spend time at the park with Lyla before I went home. On Friday, June 3 Angela wasn’t feeling well & I stayed with Willow while Lyla & her Dad went to the McWayne center. Lyla went home with me & we watched the movie Annie before we went to sleep in the sofa bed in the den. Saturday she watched the movies we got at the Mt. Laurel Library & also cleaned my house! She really did an amazing job cleaning the floor & washing windows. And seemed to enjoy it. I was very impressed! We ate outside at Taziki’s before taking her home that evening. On Tuesday, June 7 Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination for President. Although she won’t officially be nominated until the convention this summer, she won enough pledged delegates to win. I was surprised at the emotions I felt as I heard her speak about being the first woman to be nominated. Women only got the right to voite in 1920-the year my Mother was born. Hopefully Hillary will win in November & we will have the first woman president. Many things have changed for women in my lifetime. For example, only shortly before Angela was born medical expenses associated with prenatal care & labor & delivery were first covered by medical insurance. That was something important that President Jimmy Carter made happen. When I was growing up girls had to wear dresses to school. And no schools had sports teams for girls. On Wednesday the 8th I kept Willow while Angela worked & Brock went to the gym etc. & Lyla went to summer school. I always enjoy giving Willow a bottle & watching her fall asleep while I am holding her. Lyla had swimming lessons at the Y this week. On Thursday I stayed with Willow while Angela went out & Lyla went to swim lessons with her Dad. Friday I got Lyla after school & we went to Treetop to play (she didn’t like it very much) & got DVDs at the library & went to Brookwood Mall where she picked out a Barbie doll for herself & a sweet toy for Willow. Because Lyla was coughing a lot & didn’t seem to feel well she spent all day Saturday in bed watching movies. I get an ache in my chest when Lyla doesn't feel well. It is the same ache I used to feel when your Mother got sick. I guess it’s part of being a mother (and a grandmother); you hurt when your child hurts. Late Saturday night there was a horrible shooting in Orlando where about 50 people were injured & another 50 died. A lot of mothers & grandmothers were having terrible heartaches. I didn’t go to Angela's house again until Wednesday June 15 when Angela went to work. Lyla rode to school in the carrier behind Brock's bicycle. She & Willow are going to have many exciting outside adventures with their Dad! Wednesday evening I took Lyla to swim lessons while Brock took Willow to the doctor because she had a fever. She was very sweet but refused to jump into the water. She just gently shook her head "no" but was very determined not to jump in. And she didn’t. I admired her polite determination! Thursday I stayed with Willow while Lyla & parents went to the dentist. Rain caused swimming to be canceled. Lyla started coughing & wheezing which resulted in a doctor’s visit Friday morning. After school Friday we went to see the movie Finding Dorrie (a sequel to Finding Nemo). It was “just okay”. There was a rainstorm afterwards. We went to Toys R Us where Lyla picked out a bridal dress as a  gift. She coughed during the night but slept okay. Saturday afternoon Kristina & Maggie Rae & Eli arrived and we went to Let’s Play then ate with Papa for Father’s Day at the Full Moon Barbeque. Then Lyla had a rough night of coughing despite medication so Sunday morning I took her to the doctor who started Prednisone which helped a lot. She bravely swallowed the nasty tasting medicine! I stayed & helped Brock with Willow until her afternoon nap. On Monday I took Lyla to play with Maddie at her house while her parents packed for the family trip to visit Nitza & Koplan in Florida. Lyla had a great time at Maddie's. I spent the night at their house & early Tuesday morning I dropped all four at the airport. Another month with Lyla & Willow ended. I went to visit my mother & then to the beach with a friend & didn’t get to see the girls again until July 3. Since I’m writing this on July 5, I have finally caught up with my blog. It seems the 8 months I’ve caught up on have flown by. There is an adage about time which seems related to raising children…”The days crawl by, but the years they fly”. Since I think Willow is the last grandbaby I will have, it is somewhat sad to think soon I won’t have a little baby to hold & rock. But I know there are many good & precious times ahead. I seem to use this blog to journal the objective parts of the times I spend with Willow & Lyla. But as I recall the specific events I can always recall the deep feelings I felt when Willow smiles when she sees me & when Lyla runs to hug me calling out “Granny!” Although Lyla is 4 years older than Willow and my sister is 5 years older than I am, it is a very similar span of time. I was born April & my older sister in March similar to Lyla being born in September & Willow in October. Having a sister is a good thing. Being able to watch Willow & Lyla grow up is an exceptionally good thing. 2016 is half over…Your mom just sent a picture of Willow almost crawling…where does the time go? I'm not sure but fortunately I keep a lot of it in my heart.

May 2016...end of school year & loss of a cousin

Cheryl from Maryland-friend of Angela & Mary Michael

Cousin Myles Garver

Cousin Mallory Garver Carson

Sisters!

Lyla the Assistant Cook

Ballet Recital

Beautiful Ballerina

Eating food!

Early morning ride with Annie the Dog

Saturday morning with Papa

Swinging at Mt. Laurel Park

Getting DVDs at Mt. Laurel Library

Ms. Shelley's class at Mt. Laurel

Last Day of School-Favorite teacher Ms. Mary

Cleaning classroom after party

Fun time at Classmate's Backyard after School

Sabba Koplan was proud to see this!

Bath in the kitchen sink!

Beautiful Face Painting

 

Since this is the last month of school for both Lyla & her father, there is an awareness our routine is about to change. It has been a wonderful school year. As a September baby Lyla will not be able to start public school 1^st grade until August 2018, one month before she would turn 7 years old because the cut-off birthday date is October 1. But because Lyla’s teacher Ms. Shelley evaluated Lyla as ready to start 5-year old kindergarten this August, she can also start 1^st grade at Hilltop Montessori August 2017 then start 2^nd grade anywhere in 2018. So regardless of where Lyla goes in 2018, plans are to be at HMS for two more years. It has been a wonderful place for Lyla to grow & learn since the first time she went in the summer of 2013 for Music Camp! May 4 was a special day at Mt. Laurel Park-Lyla was able to go across all of the “monkey bars” by herself! It was inspiring to watch her persistence & her joy at her success. On the same day Lyla ran with a group of children as they chased after helped to fly a kite in the field. It is a joy to spend mornings with Willow and afternoons with Lyla at the park. Both girls are growing up so quickly! Willow is now eating food with a spoon! I went to Mobile the weekend of Mother’s Day because cousin Myles graduated with a BA in Music from the University of South Alabama, 11 years after he graduated from high school! He sang the national anthem at the ceremony. It was a special visit with my sister’s family & my mother. On Monday I went to Angela’s early & watched Lyla ride her bike without training wheels. What a great accomplishment for a four-year-old! After a trip to Jimbo’s for cheese grits with Willow I got a text from Mike Garver that they were en route to Birmingham because Micah (the child of my niece Mary Michael, Angela’s 1^st cousin) was critically ill and not expected to survive. Micah was born late at night on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2012 and was not expected to survive the day. I took a taxi to the hospital because my car was blogged by sleeping family. But he did live...until Tuesday morning May 10 2016. I’ve looked back at my blog at that time & I can’t find a mention of Micah’s birth. My blog has evolved over time and so I am mentioning his death. Mary Michael also had a baby girl die at age 12 days in May 2011, the same year Lyla was born. It has been said the death of a child is the worst thing that can happen to a person. I believe that is true. It is very sad Mary Michael has had to experience it twice. Angela & I went to the hospital on Monday night before Micah died. And Angela returned on Tuesday morning to be with the family as life support was stopped. On Tuesday Willow had another trip to Granny’s house while the maids cleaned to get ready for Nitza & Koplan arrival on Wednesday morning. Angela, Willow & I went to Micah’s funeral on Thursday and to Mary Michael’s house afterwards where Willow’s presence added a wonderful reminder that life goes on and everyone enjoyed having a baby to hold, especially Cheryl (Angela’s & MM’s friend) from Maryland and cousins Myles & Mallory. I had a few days at home until I met the extended family on Sunday May 15 at Lyla’s wonderful ballet recital! Lyla was very shy but very beautiful on the stage! It was a special celebration. The week of May 16 Willow turned 7 months & Lyla turned 4 years & 8 months. When I arrived early Monday morning the Koplan’s were already gone. I had a great day with Willow & a beautiful day at the park after picking up Lyla at school. On May 18 I fed Willow “pouch food” for the first time and watched Willow roll from back to tummy as well as tummy to back for the first time. We had spent a concentrated time practicing so it was good to see her progress! Friday, May 20 was a wonderful day with sweet morning time with Willow while Angela did errands then fun after school park-time & an early evening at Let’s Play then overnight at Granny’s. On Saturday Lyla demonstrated her “crossing monkey bars” skill at Overton Park and enjoyed Saturday evening supper at Taziki’s before going home to Daddy & Willow. Angela will be changing her work schedule by the end of summer and no longer working every weekend. I don’t know if that will change our routine of Friday nights at Granny’s but I have enjoyed our time together sleeping on the sofa bed in the den & essentially doing whatever Lyla wants to do on Saturday. The week of May 23 I had the last of a “routine” day with a wonderful day with Willow until time to pick up Lyla then a wonderful afternoon at the park until 5 pm with Lyla. Tuesday I just went to their house from 1 pm until the girls went to bed at 7:30. On Thursday I picked up Lyla after her last full day at school & stayed at the park until 5 pm. Brock was at MBHS graduation & I spent the night at Angela’s & stayed until 10:30 am Friday when I went to meet Lyla at the end of the year beach party at her school. We had an amazing time at the party where Lyla had her face painted & helped to clean the classroom after the party which earned an extra hug from Ms. Mary, her favorite teacher! While at the park after the party we were invited to go to the Bunga boys’ house for an awesome spontaneous “end of school party” with a waterslide & pizza and lots of fun with school friends. It was so fun to watch Lyla have so much fun with her friends! She slept well at our house that night after such a busy day! Saturday we watched DVDs all morning & had lunch at Johnny Rockets, shopped at Toys R Us & ended the day with supper at Panera Bread before home by 8 pm. The last day of May I went to your house early and spent the day with Willow while your Dad rode his bike to MBHS (18 miles each way!) and Angela & Lyla had a “spa day”. May 2016 ended. It was a busy month full of special times with two wonderful granddaughters! I am looking forward to a summer with some time to catch up on things (including this blog & picture album!) as well as more special times with Lyla & Willow.