A - Z Challenge 2023 - Z is for Zany

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

This year I'm writing about things connected with Being a Grandparent.  For an introduction to my grandchildren check out my theme reveal here.

One of the things I'm grateful for now I'm a grandparent is how easy it is for the parents to capture images of my grandchildren and send them to us.  Be it by WhatsApp, text, Instagram etc.  

Over the years I've been sent so many lovely photos, as well as the grumpy faced ones and of course lots of video clips.  The video clips are often hilarious, especially if the grandchildren are trying to sing or dance.  

We have some particularly good ones of Nathan, especially before he realises he's being filmed then he gets all cross and won't continue.

For that reason, plus once something's on the internet it can never be totally removed I'm not going to post any of the videos here.  But what I will say that when trying to describe their antics, ZANY is a good word.  (And ticks the final letter of the challenge!)

A - Z Challenge 2023 - Y is for Youthful

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

This year I'm writing about things connected with Being a Grandparent.  For an introduction to my grandchildren check out my theme reveal here.

I'd like to think that spending so much time with my grandchildren will keep me youthful.  After all I've done lots of walking with them.  Lots of lifting and getting up and down from the floor.  Even chasing after them sometimes.

Unfortunately that's not the reality.  My legs in particular often refuse to play ball.  

We had Ella here on Monday.  She loves to play with playdoh at the moment but insists on sitting on the table with it.

My legs would complain at sitting like that.  She also spent quite a while in a squatting position.  Her bottom was almost touching the floor she was so low to the ground and then she just stands up with total ease.

I used to be able to do that.  I really could.  I could do the splits when I was younger.  Now everything protests at moving out of the bed in the mornings.

I like to think that even if my body isn't so youthful that my brain is but then I watch the kids using iPads and phones and think I'm losing the plot there too.  

So the grandchildren are not keeping me youthful, but they do make me happy.  I'll settle for that.

Friday's Fave Five - 28/4/23

Friday again (how?) so time to look back on the week and share the good things.  Thanks to Susanne for hosting - find out more here.

1)  I've finished my posts for the A-Z Challenge.  This is a challenge I've done for quite a few years now in April with posts working the way through the alphabet.  (More info here.)  The challenge ends on Sunday and my posts are scheduled to post.  It's been a bit of a panic the last week as I wasn't very prepared but I'm pleased to have completed another year.

2)  Time with Grandkids Nathan and Ella this week.  Nathan didn't get his sleepover or bowling trip last weekend as he was sick but he's better now and has been back at school this week after the Easter break.  I collected him from school on Thursday and then took him to his tennis session.  We also looked after Ella on Tuesday afternoon as both Mummies had things to do.  

She does like to sit on the table when playing with things.

I was also able to help my younger son and his wife out on Wednesday by picking Rory up from school.  He's always excited when he sees me waiting for him.

I'm thankful that we can help out with childcare like this for them.  

3)  A hubby who likes shopping.  I didn't have my usual delivery today so instead we went to the supermarket.  Hubby never complains about going shopping.

4)  A Knit and Natter session Wednesday evening.  We were only a small group of 3 this week but I was glad to go as I missed the last one when out visitors were here.

5)  A video call catch up with 2 of my cousins this morning.

Now we have a busy weekend - my older son and his family are down for the weekend as Nathan's 6th birthday party is tomorrow and then Hubby and I are off to a friend's 60th birthday party on Sunday. 

Have a good weekend all.

A - Z Challenge - 2023 - X is for Xylophones

Please check out the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge
#AtoZChallenge
a-to-zchallenge.com

This year I'm writing about things connected with Being a Grandparent.  For an introduction to my grandchildren check out my theme reveal here.

X is for Xylophones - just one of the many instruments that can be found as toys for children.  Drums, keyboards, trumpets, tambourines, maracas etc etc.  

In my opinion these are not musical instruments, they are all just NOISY toys!  Put them together with noisy grandchildren and you need earplugs.  

Even the ones that play pre-programmed tunes are not great to listen to.  The quality of sound is just not great with most of them, unless of course you're prepared to spend a fortune on them.

Plus xylophones and drums for example come with sticks.  Children love sticks but not necessarily for making tunes on an instrument.  Sometimes sticks need to be confiscated.

Saucepans and wooden spoons work just as well.