Baachan's Restful Babysitting Gig

First a disclaimer: I love being a hands-on Baachan. I love to do crafts, take walks, read books, plant gardens and play with our grandblessings.  

Today, however, Stacia and Allie accompanied me to BreZaak's. Some weeks are crazy. I don't know how it happens. We ended up with 2 appointments on Monday, 2 appointments on Tuesday, 3 appointments today, 3 appointments scheduled for Thursday, 4 appointments on Friday, 2 appointments on Saturday and we're having a houseful on Sunday.  I ADMITTED it's a bit crazy and not our typical week. I cracked up when Allie commented, "THIS is why quarantine is not so bad." ::snort:: This led us to consider planning a family quarantine every 6 -8 weeks. LOL  We honestly DO have margin in our lives, but things piled up this week...some which HAD been on the calendar for the weeks we were at home with Covid. 

All that to say, I was tired this afternoon and still had Bible study in the evening.  I was thrilled when the girls told me they were done with school and would like to come with me. 

Stacia played with the children. 

Gideon, Bella, Auntie Stacia, Annie

BreZaak have a lovely German Shepherd. She's a bit terrifying to most of us. Allie is the dog whisperer. Lady is usually in her kennel or behind a gate in their kitchen when company is over - and she's loud.  Allie took Lady for their typical walk. Then they played in the living room while the kids played in the family room. 
 

And me? I stretched out on the couch - between the two camps - and enjoyed the rest while watching the hubbub. 

Meanwhile, back at home, Michael was keeping GG safe and repairing batteries on our RV. He also earned "Best Boyfriend" award by bringing home pizza for dinner. 

It was encouraging, challenging and refreshing to discuss the Fear of the Lord, our source of wisdom, as the ladies and I began our 6-week jaunt through Proverbs. Good stuff. 

SIX!!

 This little girl is no longer "almost six!"  Bella is a sweetheart! 

📷by BreAnne

Tuesday = Baachan time with "The boys."  Danny took a very long nap.... Benny and I had a good time playing games. I also explained to him with VHS tapes one has to be patient while they REWIND...a foreign concept for Benny. 

I had enough time to drop off books at our library and drive across town to Food Co-op.  I ate lunch in the parking lot before I went inside for my 4-hour shift. 

We finished leftovers tonight for dinner.... and topped it off with a wonderful dessert of blueberries and whipped cream (Mine and GG's were sugar free). 

Monday Fun

 Arielle and the Boys came to play with GG this morning.

Michael and I forced ourselves away from the cuteness to go out to lunch and run a few errands...we picked up some garden supplies and stopped to price greenhouses and cabins.  When we returned home Michael got into a rip-roaring game of hide and seek with Benny.  Benny isn't a fool - he KNEW Baachan wouldn't leave a big pile of blanket on the floor in the nook. 

Michael spotted the lumpy blanket in Millie's bed fairly quickly too. 

It took more time for Michael to hone in on Allie and Bennie behind the recliner in the nook. 

It great fun to listen to them play. We do not take for granted the blessing of living in the same location as our grandblessings.  Stacia used all the chaotic noise to work on some training with Millie. She did great. 

Michael decided to get out the torch and melt the ice that is left in the driveway. There comes a point every year when we begin trying to melt ice and spread snow around to try to get it to melt faster. It's an Alaskan spring rite.  Michael was surprised to discover the layer of ice is 6 inches thick. He got out the pickax too. LOL 

It has been a good day. The days are longer, the sun is brighter and warmer...soon the snow will melt and we'll be able to tackle the jobs the snow has been hiding. LOL 

Murder Amongst Friends

We were happy to have a couple of families over after church. For a bit of time the kids were in the basement, and we heard the happy sounds of a bunch of young adults socializing...and then Noah came up and invited us all to a game of Mafia. 

What could be more appropriate than a rousing game of Mafia after church? LOL We anticipated this dinner to be on March 20th...and then Michael got Covid...and we scheduled again and Allie had covid....and we scheduled again and Stacia had covid and there was illness in other families as well. 

Michael, Danny, Krista, Noah, Jessica, Bryce Melany
Ketziah, Lorelai between the recliners

Jessica, Allie, Stacia

It was fantastic to FINALLY make dinner happen today. We kept it simple...fajita bowls, salad and pizookies. I made some sugar free brownies in a cast iron skillet for myself and Dad. 

A Spectacular Saturday

This Saturday began with Michael and Dad going to Men's Breakfast. I got dad up and ready and then had a couple of extra hours in my schedule. We are having friends over after church tomorrow and so I made a couple of desserts and worked out in the extra time I'd gained. 

When Michael and Dad got home, the girls and I left to run errands. We went to the library, Target, Michael's and Walmart. We decided Walmart was simply too busy to venture out of our van. Instead, we headed to a little coffee shop we all love and treated ourselves.     

CoRielle stopped by the house. Benny had begged for a fire earlier in the week and Arielle and Cory told him they'd stop by on Saturday.  Even GG came down to the fire ring. Unfortunately, Baachan wasn't thinking S'mores and didn't check to be sure we had all the supplies in the box. We had everything except GRAHAM CRACKERS....so we got creative. 

S'mores with an old gingerbread house instead of graham crackers....

Benny was not sure about this substitution. A bit tough to chew. 

Cory wrapped his chocolate INSIDE a marshmallow....

Arielle and Cory 

I was amazed how long Danny sat in the little chair...but then he HATES snow. He was probably happy not to have to trudge through it. 

Yes, we DID make s'mores on Ritz crackers. They weren't half bad. Certainly, better than the one made on matzos.

I ran and picked up our click it order at some point in the afternoon...and look what came in the mail! SEEDS. It has been a spectacular Saturday.  Now if the snow would melt in the garden.....

Whew - FRIDAY

Stuffed - all meat, all the time

 For years Friday nights have been pizza night at our home. Sometimes purchased, eaten out, brought home to bake, homemade...but always pizza. We recently decid3ed to move pizza night to Wednesday night as we need to be leaving our home by 6 p.m. for church activities. I forgot pizza on Wednesday this week, I went on auto-pilot. It was WONDERFUL not to have to cook at the end of the long week, I'm still considering which night will be best. LOL 

We alternate between veggie and chicken bacon ranch 

My morning begins with a small group centered on wellness at 0530...

Stacia and I were out of the house at 0700, heading to our favorite cafe for our one-on-one Bible study. I enjoy these times with Stacia and Allie. Each week we're covering the same material, and each week God shows me again how the Word speaks uniquely to our individual needs and challenges. 

This guy greeted us as we left our street

We ran a couple of errands and had Stacia home in time for our final Japanese tutoring session of the week. She has moved to twice a week and it's making a big difference in the pace of her progression through her material. 

Rose is a gal who moved months back. It's always fun to find time for her and I to have tea together, these days via zoom.  We plan to schedule another chat soon. 

We rounded the day out with animal play... Millie is about to get a poodle cut for the summer. 

Endless bounce

Nolan and the girls worked through another Exit game...

Let the weekend begin. 

Mr. Gingerbread Visits JBER

 The boys are "technically" hosting Mr. Gingerbread this year as they won the gingerbread contest. He went home with Luke recently.  However, if the poor man wants to GO anywhere, he has to hitch a ride with the gals. Krista took Mr. Gingerbread about JBER this week. 

Mr. Gingerbread likes to be useful. He jumped right in and helped with a bit of counseling...

Office work...

Community building....

It's hard work being a chaplain. Krista rewarded Mr. Gingerbread  with a bit of fun at the gym. 

Getting buff!

A well-rounded fitness regime includes cardio as well. 

Thank you, Krista, for showing Mr. Gingerbread a good time at JBER. I'm pretty sure, though Luke was his official host, Krista is the one that took him around...and yes, it cracks me up to imagine her walking around base with a stuffed Gingerbread man. LOL 

All photos from Krista!