The first of three courses Dad is involved in on this business trip has successfully concluded, and we are enjoying a two-grandparent weekend. To kick things off, we visited Grandma and Grandpa in their hotel room.

My mum helped us break in my new ravioli maker this morning.

Grandma rolled the dough so nice and thin.

We made three dozen whole wheat ravioli filled with roasted butternut squash and goat’s cheese.

Dried for a few hours, boiled in veggie stock, and topped with Parmesan, they made a tasty and fun meal for my noodle-loving crew.

My parents have arrived! My dad is teaching an engineering safety course here in Perth, but fortunately my mum gets to spend time with us while he is working.

Quality time.

Grandpa and Nikki, with Grandma in the background – January 2007

I remember the first time I, as an adult, saw my dad and his dad together. It was amazing – they were so like each other. The same ears and eyes. The pens in their shirt pockets. The laugh! Especially the laugh.

And Grandpa had plenty of opportunity to laugh, because his hometown was full of “characters,” as he referred to some of the more memorable people among whom he grew up and later served during 16 years as mayor. These “characters” were always up to something, even when they probably shouldn’t have been. Grandpa had an amazing gift for humorously telling their stories.

Now Grandpa is up in Heaven with a birds-eye view of us all – one of the “great cloud of witnesses” as he cheers the rest of us on in our race here on earth. He certainly ran his own 90-year race well.

We’ll miss you, Grandpa. Say “hi” to Grandma for us.

Time flies when you’re having fun…

My parents’ visit flew by in the blink of an eye.

See also:

grandmother, granddaughter – 12 Oct 2009

Apple FunPark through Michael’s eyes – 15 Oct 2009

traipsing through the treetops – 16 Oct 2009

Pemberton Tram – 17 Oct 2009

Grandma talks to her hat – 17 Oct 2009

Beedelup Falls – 17 Oct 2009

at a farmhouse in Pemberton – 18 Oct 2009

grandfather, granddaughter – 24 Oct 2009

climbing fun in Freo – 24 Oct 2009

shocking events at the Perth Mint – 25 Oct 2009

first trip to the dentist – 26 Oct 2009

UNO® strategy with Grandpa – 26 Oct 2009

the 3:10 to Grandma – 26 Oct 2009

Grandma’s lap, Grandpa’s lap – 26 Oct 2009

Nikki and Vi agree…

 

Grandparent laps are great places to be!

While Nikki thrashed Grandpa at UNO®, Grandma and Michael pushed trains around and around the track.

Grandpa taught Nikki some UNO® strategy this week:

including how to Skip Grandpa,

and make him Draw Two.

She learned quickly, and won two of the three games!

See also:

UNO® with Nikki house rules – 30 Aug 2008

Nikki and Michael had their first dental exams today. We batch processed the whole experience, taking turns: first Nikki, then Michael. Medical histories, hygienist’s exam, rides in the big chair (up, down, and leaning back), and then the dentist’s exam.

Both the hygenist’s and dentist’s exams took place with a kiddo on Baba’s lap, facing him, and leaning back onto the examiner’s lap. Nikki and Michael were patient and still throughout the exams, which I felt were as gentle and non-threatening as possible.

Due to exclusive breastfeeding, no bottles, no dummies, and no medical issues, our children are low risk for caries, so the dentist only needs to see them once a year. Dr Peter Gregory said it was too early to tell for sure with Michael, but he told us to start saving now for Nikki’s orthodontics.

When we got home with new toothbrushes, dental floss, Flossmate handles, and helium balloons, Nikki and Michael asked Grandma and Grandpa for help holding their balloons so they wouldn’t get lost on our high ceilings.