The Difference A Year Makes

Oh what a beautiful morning! Yesterday was a wonderfully warm day here and it got into the mid-high 60's. I walked twice, went to the quilt store and got backing fabric and had an all around wonderful day. Last Saturday was a rock climbing class for our youngest granddaughters; I do want to state that there is a huge difference between five years old and six and a half years old. The first three pics are of Miss A, who turned five in November. Miss A and our other Miss A, also five, have had a very hard time with the height of this climbing wall. On Saturday our other Miss A wasn't in class, so it was just two of our grand daughters climbing. Miss A was so close to the top and she froze when I, her nana, said "A, if you keep climbing I'll give you a dollar". It was so hysterical to watch her reaction-she started climbing again. She didn't make it to the top, but got a little closer. I always try to encourage the grands, but occasionally will resort to other methods.

Our son-in-law Brent was right below her and actually climbed up a bit several times. If you look at her right foot, it is resting on a very small hold. 

Both five year old girls have ended up in tears on the wall; so when that happens, they just focus on what they are comfortable with. Miss A has no problem rappelling down; I always found that to be harder than climbing up. 

Our Miss D, is like a little spider~she just flies up the wall. She again did a Dead Hang(no ropes) where she just holds on to a handhold and sees how long she can hang. She lasted 2 minutes and 25 seconds-pretty amazing for just being six.

After watching the girls climbing, we've all come to a conclusion that even a year makes a big difference in how you view an obstacle.
It will be fun, in a year, to see how the two Miss A's do climbing.
Today will be another warm day here, but lest you think it's going to last-we are supposed to get snow on Friday and Saturday.  I'd be happy if this nice weather lasted.
I hope you have a good day and if you're in the states where the blizzard is forecast-please stay in and stay safe!
Joy to you!
Noreen

Back Home

Good Morning To You! We are back in our home and while we had a very productive trip to northern California, it is so good to be back. Our time was so filled with meetings and family commitments; we laid hubby's Mom to rest and also  signed a contract with a full service Realty Agency. Being back in Palo Alto was bittersweet for me; I realized that once her home is sold, we will no longer have ties to this city. I am soooo very thankful my brother and sil live in neighboring Los Altos, because when we go there for a visit we see the same beauty. I always forget the beauty of the trees that line all streets and the homes near Stanford University. Los Altos is every bit as beautiful, but since hubby and I both grew up in Palo Alto, it will always have a special place in our hearts. Hubby will no doubt have to go back out again, hopefully soon, to finish up some details.  On Thursday afternoon, hubby and I headed up to San Francisco; hubby used to sail and is an avid follower of America's Cup.  We were told that the boats were in the city and we wanted to see them up close and personal.  Unfortunately, they are currently in Spain racing but it was a beautiful day to take a drive along the coast and through San Francisco.  My brother and S-I-L are the most gracious of hosts and kept us well fed and rested.  We just love spending time with them and there home is such a relaxed place to stay.  Thank you Sue and Rich!

 We got home on Friday around dinner time; we were both so tired that we just kicked back and snuggled with Hunter. Saturday morning we headed to a Rock Climbing class that  two of our granddaughters were in. Ages are 6 and 4-simply amazing to me; I was climbing fences and trees when I was little, but since I am a big rock climbing fan it was fun to watch.

 

 

 

 

Our Peanut is an incredible climber, just like her nana(me)used to be.

Last night hubby received some free Hockey tickets for our local team so we joined one sil and granddaughter and went to see the game. I haven't been to a hockey game before and although it was minor league and very family friendly, I loved it.  Even our 8 yr old grand followed the game and was enjoying it.  I think we will have to go back another time to see more games. Today is filled with lots of phone calls and errands-getting back in the swing of things.

I hope you have all been well and enjoying life; I had hoped to get around last week, but there simply wasn't any free time.  I have missed each of you, but hope to get caught up with you today or tomorrow.

Sending big hugs your way!

Noreen & Hunter