Sitting Saturday - That is Babysitting

Well, it's that time again for us to look after the grandchildren overnight to give their Dad a break.  It has been a while since we have them sleepover.  We have not seen both Gamble and his sister Greenlee since around Christmas.  Their schedules have change so we don't have Gamble sleepover every other weekend like we use to. Unfortunately, Jeff will have to watch them by himself on Sunday because I have to go to my volunteer work.  I am guessing it's not going to be to hard for Jeff because it will only be for a couple of hours before they are picked up.  Jeff also mentioned that we will have to start thinking of what we can do with them during the summer months when they stay with us. My reply was that I hope that we will have the energy to entertain two energetic kids for half a day and maybe more.  

Just a little update on the SAP Open from yesterday when my MIL and I watched two single matches.  At first we did not get to sit where we should be because it was KIDS morning and I am sure you know that means.  It was at least thousands of children that were loud and annoying. Sorry, I love my children but these were kids that seemed like they just got out of solitary confinement.  Anyway, the benefit of the little change of seating, I got to meet someone special.  It was funny because no one recognized him except me.  He was very casual and just not making any big deal.  I approached him and got an autograph and he was very nice about it.  I found out that his daughter is married to Tom Haas (tennis player).  

The autograph is from David Foster, composer/song writer. He wrote my name as "Lucky"

 

Simply Saturday - So picky

What do you feed a kid who does not like to try anything and does not eat foods that other kids love.  I thought that all kids like the following foods

• Spaghetti
• Hot Dog
• Hamburger
• Pizza
• PBJ Sandwich
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Scrambled Eggs
• Fried Rice
• BBQ

Gamble seems to only like to eat Pancake and Bacon, Chicken Nuggets/Stars and Fries.  That's about it.  I have asked his mom what he eats and she says everything.  We have tried all types of food but he refuses to try anything and when I ask him what he wants to eat his normal reply is "I don't know".  I can't hardly wait until he grows up a bit more where he would be wanting to try all kinds of food and would have a very healthy appetite.

I remember my girlfriends daughter who I met two years ago and she loves to go for DIM SUM and she is not even Asian.  One time I saw a mother with her two kids and they were having Pasta, one had the red sauce(Marinara) and the other one with white sauce (Alfredo).  Maybe it's all about how parents feed their children. 

If you have children, what type of food do they like?  Do you have special meal for them or do they eat what's on the table?

Soulful Sunday - Flag Football

Every Sunday we are now committed to watching Gamble (Jeff's grandson) play flag football.  Last Sunday was the first game and also a bit of training.  It was very funny watching 5 and 6 year old boys and girls running around trying to get that ribbon as well as catching the ball.  I am guessing this is the first training and learning experience for these kids.  They will learn sportsmanship, friendship, winning and losing, but most of all having fun outdoors.  The bonus for Gamble is that his Dad is one of the Coach/trainer.  Both grandparents were in attendance as well as Gamble's mom and sister.  While watching the first part of their training or just learning the game, we (Grammie and Ola) saw one of the boys pushing and elbowing the smaller boy.  It's funny how both of us spoke up and were ready to complain and argue.  Of course the Grampas (Steve and Jeff) just told us to chill and be cool as Gamble was not involved.  Of course we argued that it could have been Gamble and that this boy should not be allowed to tackle or hit as this is called FLAG football.  Later on we shared stories on how we use to attend our sons sporting event.  What a coincidence that both of us were almost thrown out of the games because we were arguing with the umpire/referee.  Not the Grampas are not sure if we (grandmas) should be attending Gamble's games.  I still remember my son telling me after one of his games that if I don't behave like the other moms, I would not be allowed to come and watch any of his games.  Of course I learned very fast and the rest of the season I sat quietly and clap every now and again.  I am just very happy that I took my son to his games and was able to watch him do what he loved when it comes to sports.

Simply Saturday - Simply a BOY

It's been a while since Gamble (grandson) slept over.  Due to the renovations project at home, we couldn't have a little boy going around the may hem in the living room and kitchen.  We missing having him and I believe he was asking why it's taking forever to stay with us.  He actually ask his Dad if he can come for a ride one day when his Dad had to pick up something at the house.  When he actually saw the mess in both rooms, he was asking a lot of question, but he was happy with the changes and love the floors.  He added that his toy cars can slide faster as compared to when we had the carpet in the living room.  As for activities to do with him, we might have to reconnect our Wii because he likes playing the sports game.  I am sure he will be wanting to play mini golf again because we have not taken him for over a month maybe more.

We actually did not connect the Wii, instead we connected the PS2 that my son gave me before he passed away.  I have not connected it since and this is the first time we are doing it and it was a little emotional because I had seen all the games that he use to play.  It took us a while to figure it out and this is when I wish my son was with us visiting so he can show Gamble all the cool games he has.  The first game I wanted to show Gamble that I could remember how to play was Katami something??.  Gamble tried it but did not really like it.  Then I did not know how to get back to the list of games, so I had to restart and then gave the control to Jeff.  We asked Gamble if he recognize any of the name of the games and when he heard Burnout 3, he said oh ya, that's car racing game.  As soon as we got through all the instructions, off he goes racing.  He was so happy he could play again and again.   I tried watching Gamble play and I got so dizzy from the speed of the car, the turns he was making and get all shook up when he crashes the car.  Oh Gamble is such a boy, exciting, but so loving in his own way.  Before coming home we stop by Lucky's to get some groceries.  He whispered to me "Ola can you ask Grampa if I can get a toy?" Of course we bought him a small hot wheel car.  Since we have not seen him for over 4 weeks, we thought that it would be a nice treat.  When we got home and I let him open the new toy, he said "I love you so much OLA".

Gino at 3 yrs old.

Gamble at 4 yrs old.

                                                                   

Win Win Wednesday - Routine- but he loves it

Pick up Gamble at 5pm, take him to dinner at Carl's Jr., play Wii, take a shower, have a snack, watch a little TV, fall asleep, have pancake and bacon for breakfast, take him to mini golf, have lunch, take him back to his parents.  Routine, very, but he loves it and at the end of his stay, he does not remember anything of what he did with us.  Routine, it really does not matter, because he does not remember.

Hole #1

Sorry, I can't remember which hole this one was.

Hole # 11

Just another hole that I can't remember.

Gamble and Santa

Actually this is a different golf mini putt than the one we have taken him and he loves this so I guess this is our new golf land.  Maybe when he gets older, I will be taking him to the real golf course.  Maybe when he grows up, he would be an amateur golfer and I could be his caddy.  OMG, that is not possible as I would not be able to carry those heavy clubs and walk thru 18 holes.  I almost forgot, Gamble had at least 5 hole in one at this golf land, I guess that's why this is his favorite too.

Simly Saturday - Scary Gamble

It has been almost a month since Gamble's sleepover.  It has been a busy October and we were not able to see him as much due to conflicting schedules.  We finally got him back last night and before I forget here's what he and his sister look on Halloween.

Gamble as a Zombie

Greenly in her ballet outfit

If I have not mentioned before, Gamble started going to school at the end of August. According to his mom he is really enjoying school.  Last night after watching Cars 2, he decided he did not want to stay and sleep over.  We ended up driving him back to his parents place.  For some reason he says he is scared to sleep in our guest bedroom which is the same bed he has been sleeping since he started sleeping over.  He says he misses his Mommy and Daddy.

Weekend Wednesday - Belated weekend report

As you noticed, I missed my Saturday and Sunday post, so although a little late I still would like to share what we did on the weekend.  If you remember from previous post, my step grandson Gamble stays with us from Friday night to Saturday night. On Friday night, we raced his new remote control trucks, played Wii and he gave me lots of kisses prior to going to bed. We took him to the Santa Clara Arts and Wine Festival and he had a great time.  The funny part of this past weekend, he was suppose to stay with us for two nights but on Saturday night after his shower he wanted to go home to his Mommy's house.  We called his parents and he asked if he could come home.  He said he was missing his mom and dad.  This is what he did after breakfast on Saturday.

Remember this Mr. Napkin Head from the movie The Holiday - Judd Law as a dad.

Gamble with his new remote control trucks.

Before taking him back to his parents home, I told him that I am a little sad because he was going back one night earlier and I thought he was excited about staying with us longer.  His reply was "Maybe next time, I will stay longer.

Simly Saturday - Gamble is back

It was two weeks ago when Gamble had a sleepover and he was back last night and it seems like forever.  That's what he would usually say - that it has been such a long time since he was here. Here are some of the photos we took the last time he was here.

Gamble wearing his Dad's hat.

Gamble wearing his new outfits - all Nike brand.

Gamble after shower and his Mr. Muscle PJ's.

There are only 3 days left before he turns 5.  We will probably took him to mini putt last night and then play Wii until late in the evening.  He likes going to the park, sometimes he likes to just hit tennis ball, but his favorite since we got the Wii, is playing it with his Grampa and Ola.
BTW - We just receive in the mail the birthday invitation for his 5th birthday. 

Soulful Sunday - Gamble's new do

Yesterday when I got home, Jeff was not there but I knew Gamble had arrived because his toys were in the living room.  So I called Jeff and he said that Gamble has a surprise for me and that I would love it.  Well, let me introduce you to the new and improve Gamble.

Gamble had a haircut and I love it.

What happens when Gamble stays with us for his sleepover?  As soon as he sees me he would ask me to play with him.  He asked if we could build his Cars Lego because he has not played with it for a really really long time, it's like forever.  Let me show you what I built for him.

This is my version of a 3 floor car garage with car wash, oil change and tire rotation

When I was window shopping at Ross last Thursday,  I found some clothes, socks and a nice Nike Hat.  I placed it in the bed that he sleeps when he stays over.  When he arrived I told him I had a surprise for him and he can check it out.  As soon as he sees it, he yells and said, "Ola, I love this hat, thank you."  Later on he says how much he loves his new hat.  He wore it for the rest of the day until bedtime. 

Gamble with his new hat sitting in my favorite chair

For supper we had pizza from Mountain Mike's and for dessert we had ice cream and the cupcakes I made.  Of course the evening would not be complete without playing with Angry Birds.  He is getting really good at some of the levels that I don't mind him trying it to get me 3 stars.  In addition, he found a screen where the other golden egg was located. Yeeaaahhh.

Soulful Sunday - Sisterly Advice

For the next few months, my Sunday blog will be all about grieving.  It will be almost 3 years since my son died and I thought I was doing good and moving forward.  My sister and I talks about this off and on.  She asked me a few questions and she thinks maybe because I am too far away from those who were close to him.  She also feels that prior to moving to SJC that I was doing much better just from our chats and my poems.  So I read somewhere that writing might help ease the pain when it comes to grieving.  Maybe that is why I tend to write about my son on Sunday.  I use to read books about grieving, losing a child, etc.  Then I just stopped.  

On a happier note. When Gamble woke up yesterday morning, he saw me sitting in the living room on my lap top.  He asked why I was still awake and what I was doing on my computer.  

I was watching a video clip of Gino and his friends when they went to Winnipeg to see Kanye West.  Gamble asked who were the people on the video.  When he saw Gino he said "is that Mike?".  After that we looked at some of Gamble's photos from birth till around 18 months. He thought it was funny seeing all his baby pictures.  Then all of a sudden he says, "Ola, can I play with Angry birds on your phone.  I was actually glad he wanted to play with it because the last time he did, he was able to get me 3 stars on some of the other levels that I only had one or two stars.  When he found out that there was a new version (RIO), he asked if he could try it. Not only he got me a couple of 3 stars, he also got me a PINEAPPLE (a reward).  He got so busy trying to get his OLA 3 stars that he forgot about being hungry.  I hope this is not considered child abuse.  We ended up taking him to Golf land but not for mini golf but to play with arcade games.  He was very good with games similar to bowling and ended up getting a lot of tickets and exchange it for a couple of toys (mini skate board and step on rocket).  He got a little hungry so we had pizza for lunch.  Going home was not too bad because he knew he will be back in a couple of weeks and that does not take FOREVER.

Gamble's baby photo collection