Nanny Care Continues

Even though the weather has cooled to normal temps of highs in the 50s we've had some nice sun that shines into our garage.  When sheltered from the breezes and with the sun's radiation the garage warms to about 60.  So, we get to bask in some sun and get Avery outside to play.

Can you believe it?  Rose is holding some Strawberry Shortcake dolls and holder that our girls played with.  Does the woman ever throw things away?

Grandpa Bob and Avery doing the Barbie thing.  Team Rog wristband is on as always!

Even Barbies like to check out the Harley Davidson!

Nasty old man?!

Avery is absorbed in The Wizard of Oz.  She sat this way for a very long time for a two year old.

Nanny for Two for a Day

It seems that Kendall had a very bad cough and had to leave school early on Tuesday then had to stay out of school on Wednesday.  So, we had both girls for the day on Wednesday.  

Attached at the hip

Kendall gives the orders to Avery.  By the way that's Toto in the basket and Kendall is Dorothy.  I think she was telling Avery that she is the witch.

Finding Oz

Just after this shot was a major breakdown.

More Nannyhood and Walking

Rose continues on with the nanny gig for Avery.  Some shots follow.  It was 80 deg today, Jan 14, so we got some walking time at Pine Grove park a few miles away.  We met Maeve after her work and she got a little exercise, too.

Preparing for the nap

Avery has quite the arm swing in her walk

"Oh look, they have a playground!"

Havin' fun

Just hangin' around

Upstate, Of Mice on Main

Maeve had Friday off so we took a ride "up state" north of Greenville to Table Rock and to check out the timeshare she and gals will use the first week of April.  While in Greenville we wanted to also find the various Mice on Main that I mentioned before.  The forecast was for 20% chance of light showers and near 70deg up there.  So....Bob decided to wear shorts to enjoy the day.  As we drove north the temps dropped rather than rose in the morning and the fog and rain set in for an all day drizzle and temps no higher than 52 and mostly around 49.  

We did check out the resort.  Very secluded, old and no cell service available but...should be a good spot for the gals to get away for a several day pajama party and lots of yuks.  They have the option of lots of beautiful hiking areas, golf on site and about a dozen waterfalls around the area.  Asheville and Greenville are both about 35 minutes away so they can get to civilization.

We did find the first 3 of 7 Mice on Main before the cold drizzle drove us away.  We then did a babysitting gig on Saturday.

Father mouse in front of a downtown hotel

Mother mouse across the street

The first of the young mice.  Avery noted, "His tail is gone!"

Close up view

We hit a toystore in downtown Greenville

Despite the cold and drizzle we stopped for some ice cream

Changing the princess dresses

Cartoons in the morning

Nanny Rose 2 and Team Rog

Another week of nanny work for Rose...and a little for Bob...watching grand-daughter Avery.  We also sport a red wrist band for Team Rog.  The wrist band is to keep our good friend Roger Finlan in mind as he continues the battle with leukemia.  With good thoughts and good medical care at the University of Michigan Medical Center we are sure that Roger will beat this disease and will soon get a stem cell transplant.  His wife Pat is a great partner and keeping him going as well as kids Kristy, Erinn and Ross.  Go Team Rog!

 We met mommy after her work at the Riverwalk Park in West Columbia

 Grandma made some great chocolate chip cookies.  She made a little mistake by adding lemon extract instead of vanilla but then added the vanilla to both are in the cookies.  I think she invented an even better recipe!

 Tea time and a little rest

 Team Rog wrist bands on Rose and Bob with Avery adding her support

 Story time

 Great weather and a little swing time in the back yard

 Grandpa Bob gets into the nanny care at times, too

 Doing the slide thing at our little park area

 A little help on the slide

 We have light coats on at 10am but will shed them as the noontime temp goes to 70!

"I see you!"

Nanny Rose

Rose began her full time nanny job with Avery this week.  I'll try to post some pictures to this blog weekly to demonstrate their activities and document Rose's work!

A little movie watching

Play time but...isn't that a coffee table?

Nap time

Christmas, New Year and Bowl

Merry Christmas 2012 and Happy New Year 2013!  We had some life firsts to end one year and begin the next.  For the first time ever it was just Rose and Bob together for Christmas.  We've literally never not been with family at Christmas.  But, this year we did not travel back to Michigan and the Masons did so...one daughter and family in Plymouth, one daughter and new hubby on their honeymoon and the youngest daughter also in Michigan we had a quiet holiday.  Mom was with brother Dennis in Hinsdale, IL.  It was different.

To start the new year we went to our first ever college football bowl game in Tampa to watch alma mater Michigan and our new home South Carolina Gamecocks play.  Sadly, Michigan lost but it turned into a great game with some very memorable times.  We went with good friends Pat and Katie and met some South Carolina acquaintances before the game and to try their moonshine.  It was a perfect day of weather and lots of fun.  

Christmas breakfast of cinnamon french toast and mimosas.

We dress so formally for breakfast!

Stopped at St. Simon's Island on the way down to The Villages and the Coakleys

Had a nice seafood dinner on St. Simon's Island

Taking our walk in the Villages.  We were so glad that Kalee and friend Mark stayed and we got a chance to meet Mark for the first time.

New Year's Eve dinner fun

At the stadium before the game sampling moonshine and visiting Susan and Larry

Tailgaters

Let the game begin...Go Blue!

Hail to the Victors...in song anyway

Starting the game with paratroopers

Flashing the colors but no television coverage on us!

A beautiful clear 73deg, light breeze and a view of Tampa

Half time bands were great

The ladies doing the pajama party thing while the boys watched more football

Huge prickly pear cactus in The Villages.  Friends of Coakleys let us break several pieces off to take back to SC and we'll try to grow.