Hopping Heirloom

It's not so hard to say goodbye to our house but my pogo stick circa 1961 is precious. My grandmother bought it for me after my parents said I wasn't allowed to have one.

A Love Letter

Yesterday when I attended Grandparents' Day at some grandchildren's school I came across this piece of writing that one of them had written. As he had obviously written it in a hurry I will add a transcription of its contents below the image.

I love my grandparents because almost every sleepover they let me go to my favourite restaurant and have my favourite drink.

They let me go down into the library (shed) to get new books.

They entertain me and keep me safe.

We have breakfast in bed.


Isn't that beautiful.

Cookies, Crisps, Juice and Strawberries

Mr Geniaus and I have a special outing planned for tomorrow. We were thrilled that we were able to accept the following invitation.

Although the young gentleman who issued the invitation will have his school lunch we'll be taking along a few extra goodies to share with him.

Cookies, Crisps, Juice and Strawberries should do the trick.

I may be Gummy but...

...I have a full set of teeth.

The eleven little people who are dearest to me call me Gummy. When I'm out and about with one or more of the grandkids and people hear me being called "Gummy" they give me a funny look.

The name Gummy came about when my eldest grandchild, who is now 12, was a toddler and just started calling me Gummy - a melding of Grandma and Mummy. All of the grandkids followed suit as they arrived and called me Gummy. Now even some of my kids spouses and the kids friends call me Gummy.

My mother was not impressed when I became known as Gummy, she thought it was a "silly name".

I love being called Gummy, it is a name that is unique to me.

Little Lizzie

Her Grandpa called her Little Lizzie. I am sure that he is watching over her and sending birthday wishes her way today.

Little Lizzie and her Grandpa on her 1st Birthday, January 3

Please, spare me

Grandparents' Day

The excitement of a five year old as he proudly shows examples of his schoolwork made a two hour trip up the freeway to another city worthwhile.

Today Mr Geniaus and I travelled north for grandparents' day at the school three of our grandchildren attend. The eldest grandchild is in the Middle School and we were unable to visit her class due to a clash with the grandparents' picnic at the Junior School Campus.

It was a glorious, sunny winter's day so conditions for a picnic were perfect. As we sat around chatting before the children joined us I mentioned to my daughter that it didn't look like a school playground, it resembled a senior citizen's convention. As the children came tumbling out of their classrooms the playground became alive. We had a great time talking with children's parents, filling empty small stomachs and watching the kids at play with their mates.

Classroom visits were on the agenda after lunch. In the 4th grade classroom we helped our grandson work on an assignment on cockroaches. I learnt a few new facts including that cockroaches can live for a week without a head.

Learning about cockroaches in Year 4

In the kindergarten room I looked at the stories written by our five year old, played Word Bingo with some other children and grandparents and looked at work samples.

Reading stories in Kindergarten

We even found a story about Mr Geniaus