Happy Easter, Boys!

There is a wonderful Easter tradition I learned from my very dear German friends!  Like so many traditions, this one has been passed down through their family over the years.  I loved it so much, I adopted it into my family traditions.  Even though there were no little ones in our family at the time, the teenagers and adults alike had such fun.  Now that Aidan and Emmet are lighting up our lives, the time seemed right to introduce them to the famous 'Easter Egg Roll'.

Aidan cheering on Emmet!

First of all, the hard-boiled eggs have to be painted and decorated.  Out came the egg dye kits and stickers.  They both happily (with a little help!) created their very own 'designer' eggs.  Once the paint had dried on the eggs, it was time to set up the special table for the Egg Roll.  Custom-made by Papa, no less!  It will be used for many years to come!

Aidan on a roll!

To play the game, a selection of chocolate treats and coins are scattered at the end of the table.  As each egg is rolled down the table, our little darlings get to keep whatever treats and money their eggs hit on the way down the table.
Once the boys clued in to all the chocolate they were able to score, it was a great game!  Needless to say, they went home with a stash of chocolate goodies.  And, my coin jar now needs to be replenished!

Emmet on a roll!

The boys had a blast.  The adults had fun.  A new tradition was started in our home for two lucky little boys.  As in the past, no doubt the Egg Roll will not be exclusive to Easter.  There will be the Birthday egg roll!  The Halloween egg roll!  The Christmas egg roll, to look forward to!
Happy Easter, Boys!

Welcome, Spring!

It was a beautiful spring day today!  The snow has all but melted away (at least in this part of Canada!)  Our first of many (oh, so many!) trips to the beach.  The lake beckons like a magnet.  The little love of my life and I pick up where we left off last fall, when the biting cold and early snows of winter finally sent us on to warmer activities.

We pass by the park without a thought or desire to play on the swings and slide.  The boy has a mission on his mind.  Throwing rocks into the lake!  Lots of rocks!  Lots of rocks that Nana has to collect and deposit at his feet!  A never ending supply of rocks to throw into the lake.  It is his passion.  It is where he wants to be and asks to go to when he wakes up in the morning.

More rocks please, Nana!

I kind of get it!  Not the endless rock throwing thing...but I do get the wanting to be there.  That primal draw that pulls us to water, thing.  And so we go.  It will be every day, weather permitting.  Aidan for the rock throwing.  Nana for the blissful sound of crashing waves, warm sunshine and cool breezes.

Noisy waves, Nana!

Sitting in the sand, cheering him on, I can't help but wonder if one day (many years from now, hopefully!) it will be the other way around.   Aidan bringing his Nana to the beach.  Collecting rocks and placing them at my feet, so I can throw them into the lake.  Maybe he'll find that quiet place in his heart where the crashing waves, warm sunshine and cool breezes make us all 'one with the universe.'  Maybe he and I will find it together.  I hope so.

Happy Birthday, 'Professor Emmet'!!

Today is my little 'great nephew' Emmet's birthday.  He is four years old today!
So much intelligence and wisdom in such a little boy.  We call him 'the professor'!  I have met many far less enlightened, less intelligent adults in my travels!

Newborn Baby Emmet

My sister's daughter, my beautiful niece, gave birth to little Emmet four years ago today.  She is an amazing Momma, and my sister is an amazing Nana.  Emmet has learned so much from both of them.  His little mind is like a sponge soaking up all he sees and hears.  Just like most toddlers.  Except this little guy is light years ahead of his 'peers' when it comes to language skills and understanding.  He never ceases to amaze everyone around him.

Newborn Baby Emmet & his Nana

Aidan loves Emmet.  They are best buddies when they get together.  But very different little personalities.  Emmet loves dinosaurs, super-heroes and the solar system.  Aidan loves construction trucks and stickers.  An afternoon out for Emmet is a trip to the museum, and for Aidan, a trip to the beach where he can spend hours throwing rocks into the lake.


'Boy's Day Out' at the Zoo!

The boys are surrounded by people who love and nurture them.  They are adored by their Nana's.  It doesn't seem like four years have passed since I held little newborn Emmet in my arms.  How time does fly!

Baby Emmet & his 'Nana Mari'

Thank you for gracing my life, little one.  Thank you for four years of hugs and laughter.  Happy Birthday, Emmet!  Your 'Nana Mari' loves you.