This last weekend I entered Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! into 2 more contests. That makes it 4 different ones. Now we’ll see if we get lucky and maybe win some awards! That would be so nice!
The Feb 13th Orange County Register had frog facts and an article by Eric Carpenter called Can you ribbit? which sounds much more interesting than its on-line version Giant toads, poisonous frogs move into Muzeo, although the words were the same – but either one brings fond memories of my sister Lori. Not that she is a frog, mind you, but that she likes frogs, collects frogs and tolerates every-frog-item-I-see-I-usually-buy-and-send-her frogs! Actually, Chris Carpenter’s article highlights the exhibit Frogs: A Chorus of Colors at the Muzeo in Anaheim from February 13, 2010 – September 5, 2010. Check out the video highlights with zoologist Sandy Mangold and then there are also the photos. Sandy and the frogs flew here from Pennsylvania. Kermit isn’t here but there are over 150 live frogs! Have fun! The Muzeo hours are 10-5 7 days a week. More info here.
National Wildlife Federationโs Wildlife Watch is a national, nature-watching program created for people of all ages. The National Wildlife Federation can use your help to track the health and behavior of wildlife and plant species nationwide. You can also learn interesting tidbits on the Wildlife Watch website – wildlife news and facts, new ideas for attracting wildlife to your backyard and community. Check it out now on www.nwf.org/wildlifewatch and see what all is available to do!
Once you are finished with exploring your own back yard, you can get more ideas from NatureFind. It is an online destination database you can use to easily find a perfect spot for watching nature close to home. It also helps you discover what parks and trails are near you.
All you do is enter your zip code and check what activities you are interested in at http://www.nwf.org/naturefind to learn what is available around you!
I am/was always the photographer of the family. I also loved going through albums and boxes of photos my mom and grandma had saved. Unfortunately we forget to write down who all is in the picture and soon we are left with unknowns, not-sures, no-clues and possible relatives in so many pictures! I found a cute little project on the grandparents.com site that got my creative juices going again. Take a look here at the article Why Family Photos Matter by Beverly Beckham. When I get mine done, I’ll post it – but don’t hold your breath till I do so since I still need to get my Christmas cards out!
Harlem Globetrotter Nate “Big Easy” Lofton taught some special lessons to kids at the Discovery Science Center as captured by Michael Mello in the Orange County Register. Photos and Video also document the presentation. Lofton’s visit was part of the kick-off for the new Secrets of Circles exhibit at the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana, CA. The exhibit will be available for kids to explore through May 2.
Two years ago Globetrotters Eugene “Wildkat” Edgerson and “Sweet” Lou Dunbar visited the Anaheim Boys and Girls Club on a Friday afternoon for similar life lessons.
One of the Harlem Globetrotters community outreach programs is C.H.E.E.R. For Character which aims to teach kids Cooperation, Healthy mind & body, Effort, Enthusiasm, and Responsibility.
Here is a little clip of Abby. She is almost exactly 2 days old here. It is January 7 at around 8 pm in the evening. She was born at 8:10 pm on Jan 5th.
Austin demonstrates his rock star moves with his new guitar that he got last Christmas. Now he just needs to practice his strumming! Grandma remembers her moves also – to turn her camera in the proper direction for the video!
Austin and Papa share a moment with 5 day old baby Abby.
Unfortunately the moment is short-lived as Abby cries and Mama is ready to feed her! One of the last things on the clip Austi says is that he wants to hold Abby. She ends up going to Mama for a feeding, but after sheโs done, Austi does get to hold her. He is doing so well with his little baby sister!
After being a good boy in the car (Are we there yet?) for a full day’s ride from Medford, Oregon to Reno, NV, last December, Austin was rewarded with a morning of sledding! We all had great fun! He must have had 15 to 20 rides down the little incline of cleared landscape – as in – it had fewer rocks than the rest of the land! Lots of fun in the crispy, fresh air! I posted a few runs on youtube:
…and yet another run… I have lots of short clips but they all stop about half way down the hill because I stop the camera so I can catch him. This one runs a little further! Threeeeeee
…and then a closer look at the nearby rocky bits that we maneuvered around for a toboggan run!
Back when Austin was just a baby back at Easter of 2006, his Great Uncle Mike propped him up with the bed-full of bears and put one of the bears glasses and hat on him. This last Christmas break when we had him we re-lived the moment! It just isn’t quite the same, is it!
Then:
Now:
Check out https://mygrandmasue.wordpress.com for more interesting photos and ideas for activities to do with kids (not necessarily dressing them like stuffed animals)! ๐