More Grandson Tales

Chopped leaves and shredded paper (Carbon)? Check

Today FaceBook reminded me of a post from five years ago.  Sounds like I had good intentions of writing a little story about Gavin and composting.  Funny, I never got around to it.  Better late than never, I've decided to copy and paste my FaceBook post into this space and share the pictures I took on that day, too.  

The time she flies too quickly!

Here's the original post:

"I still want to write a blog about this entire 'Babka & Gavin Adventure.' Gavin and I had such a good time doing so many different things in such a short period. But when Gavin turned to me out of the blue and declared. "Let's make compost now," I wish I could share how I felt. The idea came from him, not me. But he sure picked the right Babka for this topic! Thank you, Tarajean, for allowing Gavin to have his own personal 'compost bowl' in your kitchen and the bucket and bag of chopped leaves and shredded paper in your back yard :-) Can't wait for warmer weather to start doing it's magic!"

Green' kitchen waste (Nitrogen)? Check

Bucket has drilled holes in the bottom for drainage and now just needs to be set outdoors for Oxygen and allow Mother Nature to run her course.

Gavin told me, "no meat and no mayonnaise." He is so right. And we went into the laundry room and found Babka's dryer lint to add to this batch of compost, too!

Bragging on Grandchildren

Gavin's awards

So, do we get a pass when we brag on our grandchildren? Everybody does it.  It's a given that our grandchildren are the best and brightest.  I've been pondering quite awhile now the many wonderful  traits my grandson, Gavin, possesses.  And it's high time I write down some of the stories that compile our wonderful relationship.  Sadly, I've forgotten more than I will ever remember.  All the more reason to start sharing some of these anecdotes.  Some day, Gavin might enjoy reading these remembrances about who he was as a child.  And specifically, who he is to this Grandmother.

In no specific order, just here and there, stories. About Gavin.  And how he changes my world by being a part of it.

Last spring, at the end of Gavin's 4th grade year, the school held an awards ceremony.  Unable to attend the event, Gavin played Master of Ceremonies and treated me to a one-on-one display of his many school-year achievements.  It made me so proud and happy for this young man who is able to walk in the world and be so positive.  His love for learning is infectious and his open manner and cheerful disposition can always put a smile on my face.  Such a gift to all of us who love him.

Gavin's Artwork

Self Portrait, Gavin Lee Warren, 10 yrs. old

God is the master of perfect

It started with a pot lid. No Captain America shield on hand?  No problem. Use what you have at the ready and transform everyday, ordinary items into whatever you need them to be.  This is how Gavin handled the challenge of the Avenger's shield.  His fanciful imagination filled in for the item he didn't have.

The pot lid may have been where this play-date started but I couldn't leave it there.  Gavin's resourcefulness triggered my own ideas about shields, protection, magic and how to use materials I have on hand to create a shield of Gavin's very own.  Couldn't think of a better way to spend time with my Captain America.

The photos from this project speak for themselves.  Using some very basic materials pulled from the recycle bin (plastic oatmeal lid and hummus container) and a couple of brads, we were off and running.  Next, a bunch of colored card stock cut and layered for the emblem. We were just in time for 'saving the world' and doing battle with our enemies.  After putting it all together, I decided to laminate the paper layers so that it would stand up to any water hazards. 

Funny little story while Gavin and I were copying the design of Captain America's shield (found on the internet). We had cut all the circles and at the end I traced and cut a white star.  As Gavin and I were gluing the layers of paper together, I noticed that my star was not the same size in relation to the circles as the original design I was copying from and I said, "Darn! The star is supposed to fit inside the blue circle."  And Gavin said, "I'm fine with that."  And then he said, "God is the master of perfect."  Out of the mouths of babes.

This project was something Gavin and I did together over four months ago.  Since then, Gavin has turned six, Jeff has finished hiking the Appalachian Trail, I spent over a month in Idaho visiting family and friends (patiently awaiting this inconvenient stress fracture in my foot to heal)  and now we arrive at autumn, October and catapult to the end of another year.  Gavin spent the night here at the house last night. We've moved beyond pot lid shields to playing with large sticks (found in the yard) fashioned into swords.  Here's to many more years of creative imagining.  I'm in!

Gavin's 6th Birthday Celebration!!

Today you are you!

That is truer than true!

There is no one alive

who is you-er than you!

Dr. Seuss

Click HERE to view video on YouTube and share the link!

Bird Feeder Ornament

It was such a good project in theory.  What's not to love about making a bird feeder mobile to hang outdoors in winter?  Gavin was up for it and I had all the supplies at the ready last Saturday morning. 

Needing sustenance for brain and body, we had breakfast first and logged about an hour of Tom and Jerry cartoons, one of Gavin's current favorites.  Gavin changed out of his pajamas while I gathered together everything we would need to assemble these birdie treats.  We were ready and excited to get started.

Just a side note here having nothing to do with this nature craft project.  But did you notice how I said "Gavin got changed out of his pajamas?"  Well, this is a big deal.  He's been dressing himself for awhile now, but I still marvel at how we've moved from 'dressing Gavin,' to "helping Gavin get dressed," to "Gavin getting himself dressed.  I hear Life's clock ticking in my head as I write.

I'd never seen a sweet gum tree pod until I moved to Fort Campbell, KY.  Fascinated by them, I went around our neighborhood, gathering them up for some unknown future project. Ended up using them like 'shipping popcorn' in all my Christmas boxes that year. My friend, LJ, calls them 'alien pine cones.' Since that time I've seen many a sweet gum tree.  My neighbor here on 101st Place has one, right across the street and so I was able to gather some for this project.  Peanut Butter is always on hand and black sunflower seeds, too.  Check! 

I was the designated 'peanut butter spreader onner.'  Gavin was the official 'pod dipper' and then back to me for tying onto the hanger.  Mine was most definitely the messier of the steps.  Gavin shot some video footage of me and asked some very astute questions as the interviewer. 

    

  

It was a very cold day and Gavin was happy to stay indoors. I donned my boots and went outside to hang our new feeder in the maple tree.  

I was so excited when only minutes after Gavin was picked up by his Mom, a male and female cardinal dropped in to check out the 'thing-a-ma-bob-doo-hickie' hanging in their tree.. Check it out was all they did, never attempting to alight on the pods or hang from the twine to get at the seed. Turns out you can lead a bird to the seed but you can't make them eat.

A week has passed and the pods are still hanging in the tree, a little more worse for the wear. This bird feeder may not have resulted in what we hoped for initially but in the end I got what I wanted. Time well-spent with Gavin.  I'm thinking this is the most desirable outcome.

Such a fun sleep-over

We never have to look hard for things to do together.  Gavin loves working on new projects. Sometimes we finish up things we began the last time he was at the castle house.  Other times, I'll have a plan for a new activity before Gavin comes over and that plan will morph into a completely different adventure.  And sometimes we even have projects we've talked about doing like hand sewing a burlap pirate booty pouch or whipping up some home made pasta, a la Great Aunt Jessica, but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Gavin and I usually make regular runs up to the studio to get art supplies. We typically bring everything downstairs and work at the dining room table. Sometimes Hempi joins in the fun, like the last two times Gavin was here and we all worked on origami.  Usually, we make at least five to ten 'studio runs' in the course of a weekend. And I always ask, "Gavin, would you like to run up to the studio with me to get more 'stuff?'  Most of the time, Gavin is out of the chair before I finish the question. Each time we're upstairs, I show Gavin another art tool or gadget.  Gavin is getting familiar with where I keep my treasures.

This last weekend, we ended up in the studio for one of our projects.  Only right that it was a 'drawing activity.' Such a lovely turn of events, too.  It started innocently enough.  I invited Gavin to come up to the studio to see a surprise.  The surprise was a desk.  The desk his Mom and Dad gave me after they decided they no longer had a use for it.  And now, the same desk Gavin was used to seeing in his house, was in the "Castle House" studio.

When Gavin saw it, his face lit up.  The next thing he did was ask for some paper and colored marking pens.  Arranging them on the desk just so, he took a seat and began making the place his own.  Gavin said, 'this drawing is going to be for you, Ba'ka.'  

Together, we spent the next hour, drawing and working at our separate desks.  Time spent in the studio is usually good for me. But this was a first for Gavin and I.  Staying in the studio to work on something together and apart.  Each in our own creative space.

The next morning, we went back into the studio, this time because Gavin asked me to make a copy of his original work of art.  I love mixing art and technology! And especially when I can share my knowledge with this 5-year-old.  Little does he know that in another 5 to 10 years, his tech-savvy abilities will far surpass all of mine and I will never catch up.  We proceeded to scan and copy Gavin's artwork, do another drawing, more scanning, convert art into note card art and then write notes in the new cards for special people in our lives.

Gavin 's Art Note Card

Learning to draw using the Wacom tablet.

I love Gavin Quotes.  This was one of my favorites:  Gavin: "I'm going to need a lot more paper."  I smiled and replied, "Well, that's easy. I have a lot of paper."  And Gavin, making my whole weekend said, "You are the master."  *heartfelt sigh

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat...

Jeff and I packed up the household goods and set out for our first military duty station in the summer of 1988.  El Paso, Texas, or bust!  It was difficult leaving our family and friends.  But this was to be our new adventure and we were up for the challenge.  I never realized when we left Idaho, just how much about our lives would change.

Over the years, we created our very own holiday traditions, best suited to our nomadic ways.  We didn't have a lot of extra money for traveling, so we stayed close to home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  These habits have shaped our current traditions and now are at the heart of how we celebrate the season.

Now, with our children grown and a grandchild in our midst, we gladly leave behind some of our old ways to make room for new traditions. One of my favorite new traditions is inviting grandson, Gavin, over to the 'castle house' so he can help decorate the tree.  We make hot chocolate, start a fire in the hearth, play selections from John Denver and the Muppets Christmas songs and adorn the tree with our memorable collection of ornaments. 

On Christmas Eve we will join Tarajean, Paul and Gavin over at Ann and Joe's for a lovely dinner. On Christmas morning, Jeff and I will enjoy coffee and raise our cups in a toast to our loved ones and those who cannot be with us on this blessed day. Then we'll head over to the Warren family home to exchange gifts, partake in a tasty brunch, and be a part of their family Christmas tradition. 

Gavin Lee Warren 5th Birthday Party

True Story

True Story: Tarajean and Gavin pulled in the driveway for a quick chat last night. While Tarajean and I caught up on this week's events, Gavin asked if he could watch Star Wars on the DVD in the vehicle. But, funny thing? He asked his Mom to go straight to his favorite good part. The End. And when I say the end, I mean, the very end....the credits. And Gavin hums along with a zest and vigor to John Williams's theme song score. He watched and listened and hummed along to this part several times while Tj and I were chatting. Made me smile. AND reminded me to give a listen to this amazing composer again! Great way to start any Friday!  Enjoy!

day!

Hawaii

Photo by wedding photographer

Tarajean and Paul were married on February 6, 2010, Kona, Hawaii. It was an amazing ceremony and couldn't have been more beautiful. The bride, the groom, the setting . . . it really was perfect. Nicely done, you guys. Blessings to the new Warren family!

The Finest ThingAmong the finest things in life,
a good marriage
is the most satisfying and rewarding,
the deepest and best of pleasures.
That blessed relationship
uplifts, enriches, encourages
and strengthens both husband and wife.
A loving marriage
overcomes any obstacles
the world may put in its way,
strengthening the special marital bond
with every challenge conquered.
Your wedding
is the start of something better
than you can imagine.
May your marriage
be all that you dream of and more.By Joanna Fuchs