TO OUR GRANDSON, WITH LOVE!

Over the past 17 years  we have made numerous guesses as to what our grandchildren might like for a Christmas gift or a birthday gift.  But it wasn't until THIS year that one of them said, "THANK YOU" in his "OWN" handwriting! 

Some of our grand kids are just now learning how to print. Traditionally, their parents were always prompt with a generous amount of appreciation.  They have never neglected to instruct their children to say, "Thank You!" Three siblings, on their most recent birthday, (all in September!!) gave us a very special SKYPE "Thank You."  We were able to see the children, with their gifts!   One of their gifts was a Tomy Megasketcher.  In the few short months since their birthdays,  the children have learned to write their names on their Megasketchers!  Written "Thank Yous" are now just a few steps away.  Soon, like their older cousin, Nico, 7, they will be able to send their very own handwritten "Thank Yous." 

Our two Aussie grandchildren are also still too young to write, yet are encouraged to phone their Mimi and Papa with their words of thanks.  Oftentimes, their mum will share their happiness with a certain gift with us by email.  They too are being taught how to express their thanks. 

It surely wasn't the gift we sent our 7 year-old grandson, Nico, that resulted in his display of gratitude because we have sent all of the grandchildren gifts of equal or greater value throughout the years.  Since he is of a tender age, we can't help but credit his mommy and daddy for instilling this wonderful quality of of thankfulness in him.  By their diligence in making sure that no gift goes by without a courteous "Thank You," we have great hopes that he will grow up continuing to be appreciative of the kindness of others.

In the past, when he was too young to write, his mom would send us emails with photos of him opening his gift with a huge smile!  She would always write a kind note of thanks, and have Nico phone us to personally thank us.

 Now, following her lead, here is what we received yesterday in overseas post for his most recent birthday gift:

                     What a wonderful gift to give to your children, thankfulness. 

In this season of Thanksgiving, while we are all inspired to think about what we are thankful for, my husband and I have to say that these grandchildren don't let an opportunity go by without thanking those who have been kind to them. They are shining examples of what the holiday is all about.    

I think you can tell how very proud we are of them!   Thank you, my darlings!  (And of course, thank you to their mommies and daddies as well, you are doing a wonderful job!)

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SIP AND STITCH

Image by dead redhead via Flickr

There is certainly a part of my personality that is obsessive compulsive.  For example, when I golf, which I love, and golf badly, which I do all too often, I am driven to go back out on the course and repeat the holes that eluded me.  If you've ever seen the movie "Tin Cup," you get the picture.  It's not about the score--it's about achieving perfection.

Don't tell me I can't do something--I will surely prove you wrong. 

So, it should be of no surprise to those who know me well that when my mother-in-law told me this past summer that I will never be a knitter, I set out to prove her wrong.  Well, let's just say that the drive to do so has set me on a mission.  I'm not there yet.  There are far too many other things to do here in Munich than to sit and knit.  But, I have taught myself, thank you. And I can report that I'm doing very well.  Granted, I haven't tackled anything too advanced   complex  yet, but I can knit and purl with the best of them!   

Here are some of the items I've knitted or crocheted.  There are more, but they are meant for Christmas gifts to family,  and until they receive them, they are underwraps, so to speak.

This is a hat that I knitted for myself and I LOVE it!  I am so happy with it and how it fits me.  It keeps my ears warm in the cool weather and yet it is great to cover unruly hair.  I love to wear it on my walks.

 This lovely piece is a scarf I knitted from yarn and circular needles that a new friend in Los Cabos gave me.  I absolutely love it and it gave me experience using many different types of fancy yarns.  It is so lovely and I have had  so many compliments wearing it, that  I'm ordering two more skeins of this yarn so I can give knit some more prezzies from it.

I knitted this hat and scarf set for my five-year-old granddaughter, Lil' Miss Nee Nee,  and she was so thrilled with it she wanted to wear it in August when I completed it.  I hear the weather in Ohio is getting chillier, so perhaps she will finally get a chance to wear it.

I also knitted the hat below for her.  It is a bit more casual and she can wear it with a play outfit.  It turned out a lot better than I thought!

Finally, for my dear daughter-in-law's birthday, I gave her a slouchy hat. (Well, I also took her to lunch and gave her a bottle of  Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume--I may be obsessive, but I'm not cheap!)

I didn't know how she would like the slouchy hat since it isn't a hat that hugs your head.  She is blessed with beautiful long tresses and when she put it on she exclaimed, "It's so warm!  There's enough room to tuck my hair in!"  That's all I needed to hear!  She is a busy mom of three children, twins who are 5 and a six year old.  She needs something practical, warm, and yet  colorful.  I'm glad she likes it and her matching scarf will

accompany me back to the states in December. 

I think my family will be awash in socks, sweaters, vests, afghans, hats, scarves, and whatever else I can manage to knit or crochet.  I'll be darned if I'll prove my mother-in-law right. Just watch me!