Monday, May 25, 2020

The New 'Normal'

Dear Alex,
You just finished 2nd grade, and in a strange way.  The country has been sidelined with the Corona/Covid-19 virus which closed schools in March, and shortened the school year by a week.  You and Mommy have been working on your weekly assignment packets, and you seemed to enjoy working on your research paper on Tigers.

I know it's been tough on you, because you can't see your friends from school, but you've made friends with the girls across the street and around the corner, and have been over to play with them on a semi-regular basis.

You mastered riding your two-wheeled bicycle last month, and enjoy going over to the George Rogers Clark Memorial parking lot to ride around, without having the fear of traffic:)

With Mommy at home, due to the shut down, you've had her all to yourself, and have been shopping, getting fast-food delivered or picked up, and playing with the dogs.

Grandma has been working 30-40 a week, so you haven't seen me a great deal, but I'm thrilled you're not shunning hugs or kisses anymore.  Your birthday is coming up and I'm hoping we'll be able to take you to Brown County again, to ride the horses.

Uncle Kyle's wedding is coming up at the end of June (postponed from May 16th due to the Shelter In Place directive), and you're looking forward to being the Flower Girl.

I forgot to write this past winter, and I'm sorry.  We were all devastated by the loss of Papa Mike November 20th, 2019.  You were his joy, and the two of you had a special relationship.  Within four months, we had Grandma Sally moved into Cumberland Point Assisted Living, and put the house up for sale.  As of this date, we're still waiting for repairs to be made, so it can pass the new buyers' inspection, and close on the sale.

I brought home several marble tables and the low coffee table, which you have enjoyed playing with, and placing your Leggos on.  You also love Grandma's desk, with the various cubby holes and extra drawers, and have claimed 'your' drawers on the right.

You miss Grandma Sally, but as soon as the lock down is lifted, we will go to Lafayette and take her to a steak restaurant, because she's getting tired of chicken. and more importantly, she misses you too!

Til next time....
Love,
Grandma

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Merry Christmas!

Dear Alex,

Merry Christmas!

We took you to see Santa earlier this month, and you were so excited to go see him!  But when it was your turn, you stood beside him with your hands covering your mouth, and whispered in his ear that you wanted some 'LOL Surprise Dolls'.  Later, you worked up the courage to tell him, 'Mommy's on the Naughty  List', which he was very surprised to hear!  The photographer did her best, and sent Mommy the best shot of you and Santa.

Then we went to see the Christmas lights at Oubache Trails park, which you were excited about all the new ones.  You thanked the volunteer who gave you a candy cane and wished him a Merry Christmas, and ate it while we drove to see the lights down at south 15th st.

Christmas Eve, Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jeanna came over to spend the afternoon, and you were thrilled with your presents:  A toy Jeep and toy horses.  Later, you ate dinner with them while Grandma was singing at the 6pm Christmas Eve service.  After dinner, you watched as we played Cards Against Humanity until Mommy put you to bed.

Christmas morning, you excitedly tore the wrapping off all your gifts:  Books, a Fingerling, candy in your stocking, and of course, your beloved LOL Surprise Dolls!

I forgot to mention, you are now an older sister to Alyanna, who arrived the day before Thanksgiving to your daddy and Crystal, who were married (briefly) on the Monday before.  However, as I write this, they have separated, and I do not know if you'll ever see Alyanna again.  Things are just too unstable over there.  Update:  2/9/19:  I don't know if I should even put this here, sweetie.....but we found out Baby Aly isn't even your sister.  C's ex-boyfriend had a DNA test run, and she's his child.  You probably won't even ever see her again.

Your daddy's mom, whom you call 'MeeMaw', has been in and out of the hospital this past month, in poor health.  We don't know all the details, but you were able to visit her.

Some rather unpleasant things have happened as well, and though I'm hesitant to write it, I can always go back in and edit this before I give you the website.

CPS visited you at school, and I'm told you informed her 'Daddy and MeeMaw had a fight b/c she wasn't picking the seeds out of the weed'.  The social worker seemed happy with the fact our kitchen is stocked with plenty of food; none of us smoke or do drugs; you have a safe place to live with plenty of people who love you.

She was first at Daddy's, who, I am told, was instructed to get a drug test.

We also informed her of your Aunt Hannah, who's twelve, and is making some questionable choices, in her quest for a Daddy figure.

Good news for your Uncle Brent; he seems to be turning his life around.  Time will tell.

Your daddy said he checked himself into the psych ward for a few days, however, your mother doubts this.  Some texts were sent, claiming he was going to end his life, then a few days later, Crystal claimed SHE tried to do the same, which earned her a trip to the psych ward the following week.

The only thing this caused is for Mommy to decide you were no longer allowed to spend the weekends at Daddy's.  He has come to see you; however the 1st time, he failed to show up; the 2nd, he spent more time on his phone than with you; he didn't even show up for Christmas.

As I type this, I have no idea if you'll even see him before you return to school

You WERE able to spend time with your Grandma Sally and Papa Mike on Dec 16th, when Grandma Sally was moved to Columbian Point Rehab facility.  Grandma Sally was taken to the hospital on the 9th, then moved on the 14th.  Grandma went up for a week to help take care of them.

You've had a few bouts of illness this Christmas vacation:  Fever, cold, tummy flu.  Breathing treatments in the mornings help your cough.

Love you bunches!
Grandma

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

1st Day of 1st Grade!



Dearest Alex,
You began school on Aug 9th, and since Vigo Elementary is under renovation, your class is at Washington Christian Center over by Gregg Park. 

Mommy is trying to instill the same homework ethic she and Uncle Kyle had, to do homework right after school, and you've been a little resistant.  But it has paid off:  You scored 100% on your 1st spelling test last week!  Accellerated Reading (AR) has begun, so you and Mommy read together.

Grandma has been gone nearly all summer, helping take care of Great-Grandma Sally, who fell June 1st.  She's getting better, but still having issues walking.  You had a wonderful weekend with her during the Watermelon Festival, and playing in the pool at the hotel

Mommy has been suspended from Perdue, and she's trying to get a Peer Review scheduled.

Daddy and Crystal have moved to Autumn Ridge; your cat Angel fathered kittens; and Daddy now works for another company.

That's all for now sweetheart:)

Love and kisses,
Grandma

Friday, June 8, 2018

You're Now Six Years Old!

My darling Alex,
It's been another amazing year, watching you grow and develop!  You turned six years old yesterday, and wore your beautiful blue and white Easter dress all day, with the exception of when Papa made chili for lunch (per your request, ha ha!).

Mommy took the day off so she could spend it with you, and helped with your dinner celebration.  Papa grilled pork chops; Mommy and Uncle Kyle fixed the vegetables.  Jeanna and Kyle gave you $6; Papa and I gave you $6 plus two books, The Monster At The End Of This Book and Another Monster At The End Of This Book.  You were happier with the cash, ha ha!  Mommy gave you a Baby Alive, which cries real tears; her nose lights up when she 'sneezes'; she talks about her heartbeat.  You also got new black tennis shoes.

We sang you Happy Birthday, then you blew out the candles on your green and blue Trolls ice cream cake from DQ, which you picked out.

You can somewhat do the splits, and you're trying desperately to learn how to do a cartwheel:)  You've almost mastered a round-off, but your legs are still bent.  I'm thinking we maybe need to get you into gymnastics; however, we've been 'thinking' this since you were two!  We have a joke that Cirq Du Solei could use you when you get older, you're so limber!

Next year, you will be at Washington Christian Center, since Vigo will be undergoing renovations.  You had a wonderful year in kindergarten, and soon you will be in 1st grade:)

You're growing taller; Mommy took you over to the Memorial last night and you can no longer pass under the, gate w/o hitting your head.  Your favorite pink PJ pants are now above your knees, and you weigh 49 pounds.  Daddy came over to see you yesterday, and you enjoyed seeing him.

Last weekend, we took you to Brown County State park to ride the horses, and were thrilled to learn that NEXT year, you'll be able to ride the trail horses with Mommy, Uncle Kyle, and Uncle Will:)  While Mommy, Kyle, Will, and Jeanna were on the trail, you and your friend Izzy played on the dirt pile near the pony corral, and dug up worms.  Afterward, we all went back to Bloomington and ate at Cracker Barrel before heading home.

Grandma Sally and Papa Mike weren't able to come this year, since Grandma Sally fell last week, and is having trouble walking.  She's getting stronger, and enjoyed talking to you on the phone yesterday.

Forgot to update some things:
-Ariel ended up spending only one week of school here before returning home.  One day when you're older, we'll tell you about it.  In the meantime, she's expecting a baby July 16th, a boy named Phoenix.

-Daddy is now working at Wendy's.

-Mommy is now in a Lead position at Perdue Turkey plant in Washington, and works 2-10pm.

Love you bunches, sweetheart:)  I'll try to write again soon.

Love,
Grandma

Saturday, September 9, 2017

1st Month of Kindergarten!

Dearest Alex,
So far, you enjoy school!  Mommy gets you up in the morning and drops you off, then picks you up.  So far, you've done well, with only a slight amount of trouble talking when you're supposed to be listening.  Mommy had a chat with you, and this past week, you've stayed on green:)  Good girl!

Your mommy had the opposite problem; she wanted to be the class Monitor, and would report to her teacher who wasn't doing their work, or who was trying to talk.

You also had a boy try to kiss you.  When your mommy was your age, she punched the boy in the chest and was sent to the principal's office.  I'm told you smacked his arm, but no one reported it to the teacher.

Your daddy is enjoying his job at the Farbest Turkey Plant:)

I don't think I reported Grandpa Rick was hospitalized with a heart attack earlier.  He's doing well now.

In other family news, we had our family pictures taken for church, and while you were a little shy at first, you soon warmed up to the photographer and were a little ham!  I love the picture taken of you snuggled against Mommy:)

We've also begun work again on cleaning out the Green House, and have cleared the room that's caving in.  Papa and I hauled 900 lbs of scrap, including 2 stoves and 8 electric motors to the scrapyard.  Hopefully the next time I write, we'll have cleared out another room.

Hugs and kisses!
Love,
Grandma

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Your 1st Voice Mail Message:)

Dearest Alex,
I know I said I would post again at Christmas, but so much has happened, this blog got away from me again.

At Christmas, you were thrilled with your Peppa Pig play sets and redecorated Grandma's shelves with them, along with your Leggos.

We battled lice again, and finally in April, Mommy had had enough and cut not only your hair, but hers as well.  Our lice problem disappeared, and once again you had perfect attendance at school.  You scored at the top of your class, so Mommy made plans to enroll you in Vigo Elementary in the fall.  This way, Papa could drop off Uncle Will at the middle school, then circle back to drop you off.  No one would have to travel out of their way.

This summer, you have enjoyed the company of Ariel and Jaevon again, and you and Ariel have spent many wonderful hours together, watching The Troll Movie and putting on make up.  We celebrated your birthday at Brown County State Park and you went horseback riding for the 1st time.  You weren't old enough to ride with Mommy, Uncle Kyle, Uncle Will, Ariel, or Jaevon on the trail ride, but Papa put you on a pony and you and your friend Zeke were able to ride three laps around the ring.  Afterward, we had dinner at The Nashville House.

Mommy even took a new summer job, taking care of seven horses, since her hours were 10am-2pm, which left plenty of time for her to spend with you.

Ariel is going to live with us for the next six months on a trial basis, and go to school at Lincoln.  If her grades don't improve, then she'll go back home to her mom.  You were thrilled at that news over the 4th of July:)

I've been up in Lafayette most of July, helping Grandma Sally and Papa Mike with their vacation to Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada to see Great-Aunt Wendy, Great-Uncle Chris, and your cousins David and Rachel.  I had to go to Chicago  to put Grandma Sally on the plane and then again a week later to help her get home.  You missed me so much, you left the sweetest voice mail message:

My name is Alex.  I want to call my grandma, please.

It's still saved on my phone, so I can play it for you when I get home in a few days.

Love,
Grandma

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

New Home!

Dearest Alex,

We've now moved into our new home at 205 Nicholas St in Vincennes, and you are thrilled to have your own bed across the room from Mommy, though you wake up snuggled next to her every morning.

A lot has happened in the past year:  Reagan Winkles came to live with us in October 2015, but returned home to Arkansas this past November.  She called you 'Princess' and would often bring you treats after work.

For Christmas last year, Mommy got you a tricycle, which you happily pedaled around the house until the weather warmed up.  Your boundaries outside were Harlie's house to the right and the tree just past Chris's to the left.

You started Head Start in January, and enjoyed it, and Daddy began 'helping' with your class every Mon-Tues-Wed.  I use 'helping' lightly, because you stopped paying attention to the teacher, and everyone was thrilled when Daddy's schedule changed and you went to his house on the weekends.  Still, you ended your first semester on a good note, and looked forward to returning in the fall.

Over the summer 2016, you enjoyed visits with Ariel and Jaevon; met Taco, Mommy's boyfriend Mike's dachshund, and was thrilled when Mommy allowed you to go play with Harlie and Chloe as long as Uncle Will went with you:)

In May, we went to Aunt Linda and Uncle Mike Keser's 50th anniversary party.  Papa Mike McIntire met us at the door, picked you up, said, "Okay, Alex is here; the party can start now.  The rest of you can leave..."  Ha ha!!!  We also met Papa Mike and Grandma Sally at TGI Friday's for your 4th birthday celebration.

School began in September, and you have had perfect attendance now for 3 straight months.  Grandma joined you for Grandparents' Day, and we ate a delicious lunch of chili (Mommy had said we were having pizza; otherwise, Papa would have gone also!).

In October, Grandma and Papa took possession of the new house and began painting.  You enjoyed helping Mommy set up your new room, though when we first showed it to you, you exclaimed, "But where will we SLEEP?"

I explained we would be moving over your bed, and you looked relieved!

For Thanksgiving, Mike joined us for dinner, and you enjoyed sitting on the cedar chest, since our dining room was full of boxes, and we'd not moved the table over yet.  For regular meals, we crowd around a tiny table in the living room, and your 'chair' is the step-stool.  No more high chair for Alex!

Likewise, in the Jeep, you use a booster seat, but in Papa's truck, you still have to sit in your car seat.

You've said some cute things over the past month, and as soon as I consult with Mommy, I'll post them here.

Today you came home and announced you'd kissed your sweetie Jace on the lips, and that he'd kissed you back!

Your mommy punched the first boy who tried to kiss her....Bennie Large, in the 1st grade.  Ask her about that sometime:)

Til Christmas....

Love,
Grandma