Texas Roaches visit

What a fun weekend with our son, Keenan, his wife, Sara, and their two children, Ari and Keira. Ari is two years old now and his little sister Keira is three months. They arrived late Thursday night and nobody slept very well, except Keira. She seemed to really like her crib in the kids room. Ari did better after the first night.

Friday morning, Keenan and Kelsey went to the dance studio to practice their number to be performed Saturday night. Sara, Ari, Keira, and I, went to see Brent and Charis. The five of us walked to the library for story time and then back home to play. That evening we celebrated three birthdays, Ari's, who turned two on September 20th, Sara's birthday on October 14th, and Keenan's, which is October 22nd. Kelsey made a beautiful carrot cake for the occasion.

Saturday we all went to Sedgwick County Park so the toddlers could enjoy the new play area. They climbed and went wheee down the slides, but seemed to like the sand the best. It was a perfect weather day, warm in the sun but not hot and not windy. Saturday evening got a little hectic around dinner time as Kelsey prepared herself for two dance performance at Safir's Center for World Dance. This is the studio where she teaches ballet and modern and where I take three dance classes. The third Saturday of every month is a dance show, or Baila. We transform the studio into a casbah with saris and silk, low tables and pillows, candles and snacks. I was the Snack Queen this month and Kelsey made and decorated another cake with pumpkins. Look for pictures on her blog. Anyhow, we made it out the door with all our stuff, Chuck coming later with ice and his sister. Sara had to stay home with her babies and I so appreciated her washing up the mess we left in the kitchen. Thank you Sara!

Kelsey and her friend Leanne did a duet with canes, dressed in tribal costumes with long yarn falls in their hair and yarn tassles on their belts. Chuck did get this on video but no stills, and unfortunately, the video is old technology. Opening the second act was, in my never so humble opinion, the best of show. Kelsey choreographed a modern dance ala Isadora Duncan and danced solo while Keenan accompanied her on his guitar. He played Mason William's, Classical Gas. It was such a treat to have live music. Of course, I was beaming with pride. What a fun evening!

Sunday, we were up and at it again for another full day. We piled into two cars and drove to Hutchinson to have lunch with my two aunties, Iris and Thekla. Iris is 88 and Thekla is 94. They are always so delighted to see the children. Ari was shy around them at first but before we left, he gave both of them hugs and could say their names. Keira was all smiles and sweetness.

Sunday afternoon and evening were visitation hours. My friend, Maria Nunes, came over to meet Keenan and his family. She has heard so much about them and seen pictures so she wanted to meet them. She played with Ari and took his picture. Later, Chuck's sister and her husband and son came over. It was a wild, noisy time. When the company left, Ari and Charis took a bath in the big tub while Keira washed up in the sink. The big kids had a great time in the water but had even more fun when we got them out and they jumped around on the guestroom bed in their birthday suits. They had us all howling with laughter.

So this morning it was back to Texas for the Roaches. But first we had breakfast at the Gray's. Kelsey and Brent made us bisquits and gravy and scrambled eggs. Yum!

It is a wonderful thing being a grandparent, watching these little ones grow and learn new things. Ari and Charis have changed so much in two years. They are so smart and good looking too. It is great fun to see them play together, one minute grabbing toys away and the next minute giving hugs and kisses and sharing. Keira is a little beauty with bright eyes and rosy lips. She delighted us with her smiles and coos.

Our house sure is quiet now.