A visit with the Hastings

Emirie showing off her Dorothy Slippers and GG being her cute self.

I came to be with the Hasting for GG's birthday again this year. I remember the day she was born. We waited and waited for her arrival and she finally came into the world with the help of one hot anesthesiologist. I was there in the room when the doctors took her out, there to hear her first cry, to see her mom bring her forth, have her laid on her chest, and her dad hold her first! Her arrival was a delight, a blessing beyond words to us all. And look at her now, she's 4 and a blessing still!

Here are just a few things heard and observed during my stay at the Hastings. This is always delightful. The girls are precious and communicate their feelings very well, even at 2 and 4. I heard this a few treasured times: "I love you Grandma." And that just about makes my year.

When we went for Pizza after the Children's Theater Play, "I am very hungry," Emirie said very explicitly. We sat down and ordered and each of the girls started their meals with a bowl of ice cream. Emirie's had strawberries on top. Jason and Naarah ordered a large pizza. By the time the girls were done with their ice cream, they looked over to the parents' pizza, "Can we have some?" Of course you can...and they dished them up their pizza. Funny. Sort of a reverse psychology going on with eating maybe.

On the way home, GG was hot, so her mom rolled the window down. It was raining and cool. GG: "I like the wind on my face, Mom."

I had a sore on my toe and needed a bandaid and Emirie was so empathetic as she watched me put on the bandaid, "Ohhh...I'm sorry Grandma. Are you all right?"

These are two very precious girls and they delight me with their loving words. They are vocal about everything they feel. Early one morning, Emirie says, "Your butt is fat." Not what I wanted to hear, but hey, she's 2 and says whatever is on her mind. It apparently from her vantage point looks huge! Bummer.

I really thought they needed a horse experience while I was here, which was quite interesting. The girls loved being around the local ponies and we found some treats to feed them. It was hard teaching these energetic little girls to open their hand flat and let the horses eat the treats off your flat hand, so your fingers aren't dangling out there. Well, they didn't get that at all and the horses did well. Their big ole lips tickled their fingers and they giggled. Emerie is fast and put her fingers back under the horses head. It thought a treat was being offered and bit her finger. It drew blood and she was in shock. She held her finger up until she realized what happened and that it really hurt. She started wailing and we had to distract her into being quiet.

 When we were back home and getting out of the car, Emirie kept talking about the horse that bit her. She also said she was going to make that horse MEAT if it bit her again. I kid you not. I had to ask for clarification...confirmed. That is indeed what she said. GG had asked earlier if we eat horses. I explained that we don't and she said cows were meat. So, Emi put things together quite quickly...that after what had happened to her she would make horse MEAT too.

Ok, I've heard this again and again from GG when she is embarrassed about something: After a long pause of silence she will say, "Awkward." And from Emirie when she or anyone else is embarrassed about something she says, "Dumaass."
Just a few minutes ago, this conversation between Emirie and Naarah: Want to make brownies mama? It's so so so beautiful. It smells so good," Emirie asks.

We celebrated GG's 4th Birthday party with friends and family. The party was a huge success. Food was quiche, fruit salad, salad, breads, cheese and liquor, wine and champagne mostly. The friends were great, and very fertile, lots of kids in attendance. All had one to 3 children and each one was having a ball. There was lots of activity and overstimulation... as it should be. A perfect party. Naarah and Jason have great friends and they love to gather for celebrations. I am so proud of them and their family.

Emirie loved GG's gifts. Especially the punching bag Jason got for GG. Emirie is able to inject herself completely into GG's day... it reminds me of someone I know...hmmm I wonder who?

Emirie wanted peanut butter. She said it is in the cupboard, pointing me to the right one. I brought out the bread...do you want this? No, peanut butter, she said. I suggested bagels... "No, peanut butter," she said again. I looked at Jason with this questioning look? "She just eats the peanut butter." So I pulled out a spoon and opened the jar and gave it to her. She dipped a few times, sucked it off the spoon. Licked her lips and off she went. Indeed, peanut butter it was.

Anyway, these girls are delightful and I don't know if I could be more proud or feel more blessed to have them in my life. I get this indescribable thrill in my heart when I hear their foot steps in the morning, and when I hear their small voices from my bedroom as they negotiate breakfast with the nanny or their dad. Just watching them gets me all teary eyed. And their parents are so wonderful...they amaze me with their patience, care and love for these little blessings. They are much better parents than ...well me. Jason is so patient...he should have 100 children. (I can arrange this with the orphans I work with). Naarah too. To think she's carrying their 3rd, working full time, managing a b day party  with numerous guests and their kids, also a friends b day party and very many other social engagements. Seriously, both of these delightful parents...one of them my offspring...give so much to their careers, social life and their kids most of all. It's such a treat to come here this time of  year and be a part of their lives and be blessed.

I have a few more days to be blessed. So, hang on. There will be more stories ahead.