The Jellybean Ball

Yes, a ball! You know, like when Cinderella goes to the palace with her glass slippers and dances with the handsome prince........o.k. It wasn't really that kind of ball. I did not meet a handsome prince, but I danced with Nils, and he looked pretty cute! And the "dancing" mainly consisted of jumping up and down and spinning around in circles- and yes, the jazz band did play the Pink Panther Theme Song!
The ball was a benefit for Easter Seals, and I was very impressed with the efforts to make it a family friendly event. There were actually jellybeans on the tables, but, as you can see, the lollipops were the hit of the night! We all had a great time!

The Sock Hop

Ode To O.J.

The hairy orange cat.......he was our house guest for a time. These pictures are from when he was staying with us. Annika came to visit, and she was delighted to see him. He went home shortly afterwards, but this past week he was taken to the vet and put down. He was pretty old and not too healthy. I was at the house right before the vet appointment and told him goodbye. He really was such a good cat. Annika was crying when they left- she only knew that he wasn't coming back, and she is the one who really loved that cat. She carried him around like a baby. It was hilarious to watch! I had to give O.J. a place of honor on my blog!

Some overdue Christmas photos:


the cute newly engaged couple


Grandma with the gang

everybody home for Christmas!

The Imagination Game

I just came home from playing with the girls while Nils was at his swim lesson. I couldn't resist recording some great quotes from our playtime.

Marta kept referring to herself as Princess Jasmine, until Annika decided that I should be Princess Jasmine. I agreed and told Marta she could be Abu and Annika could be the Genie. Annika didn't like that idea and told Marta to say no. Marta said clearly, "I don't want to be Abu and a weenie."
Annika and I both laughed out loud.

After awhile I went upstairs to check on the dog. When I came back, they were playing The Little Mermaid. Annika was Ariel and Marta was Melody ( Ariel's daughter in Little Mermaid 2).
Annika: "O.k. Marta- you're Melody and you shrink and I have to save you."
Marta lies on the ground and sticks out her tongue.
Annika: "No, Marta. don't stick your tongue out. Just be shrunk."
Marta pulls the tongue back in and closes her eyes. Annika picks her up, saying dramatically, "oh, baby, come on. You're o.k. I'll save you."
Marta opens her eyes and looks at me, groaning, "Oh, Grandma."
Now I was the grandma. I'm not sure how that happened.

A few minutes later-
We're still playing. I tried to be the audience. Annika stood in front of Marta and said,
"o.k. I resus to you Melody, who is going to shrink." I think she meant "present". I didn't last long as the audience because Marta kept climbing on my lap and calling me "Grandma."
Then a moment later I wasn't grandma anymore.
Marta said, "No, I'm Melody and you're a squid."
Annika and I once again started laughing, which made Marta frown. She obviously doesn't like it when we think she's funny (unless, of course, she's trying to be funny).

The next thing I know we are hiding in the bathroom from "the mean girl", who also happened to be named Melody. Annika gives us instructions.
"Marta, you have to come and save me and ask Melody to turn you into fins. Melody, you are magical so you can turn her into fins and she can save me."
She went out and fell on the floor, closing her eyes and lifting her arms up as if she was trying to reach for someone.
"Come on, Marta. Save me before the storm comes." I gave Marta fins, and she saved the day.