NANA SAYS ENJOY THE END OF SUMMER

Since July is over and August has begun, the stores are full with back to school items. There can be a pressure to get organized now. Get over it with some school supplies shopping- buy a package of pencils! Then get back to the continued enjoyment of the summer. Stressing too much about the new school year filters down to the children who may be enjoying their time at camp or camping or just being with their parents and families more. Yes there is shopping with the little ones-maybe! You know their sizes! When my girls reached an age where they wanted to buy their own school clothes and supplies, they were given a nominal amount. They had to be frugal with the money. Actually if you hold off until the middle of September for clothes, many things go on sale anyway. For older children, they often wait to see what the other kids are wearing and may reject the earlier purchases. Save the bills! So see there is no real need to rush the month away with worrying about school shopping yet! If you are lucky, Nana has a new activity! As each grandchild starts school, she will buy an outfit! Last year one but this year three! Two grandsons start Junior Kindergarten! As for the granddaughter starting Grade Two, well Nana plans to try to have a special outing with her to buy that outfit. It is seen as stretching out the gifts bought for birthdays and Christmas. One less at those events budgetting to help the working parents with their budgets! So back to summer. Nana and Granpa have a babysitting gig in a week- 5 days and 4 nights while one couple celebrate a special anniversary away in a southern location! Plans to go to a  farm for children to enjoy things like a wagon ride and enchanted forest, splash pad visits and of course an ice cream or two! That's the real meaning of summer- simple, slow fun things! And yes a nap or two in the afternoon when the children are expected to read a book with quiet time!

NANA SAYS CHILDREN SAY SOME CUTE THINGS

Well as we all know, teenagers say things that are not so cute- swear, scarcasm, etc. When they were little, they did say some cute things. As I was pulling my two grandsons in the little wagon yesterday, I recalled the time I was pulling my granddaughter years ago. Around and around the garden! I was getting tired! Finally, I said, "Sophia, Nana sure is your Donkey! "She said, " No Nana, you are my Horsie!" We find our youngest grandson calling Adolph- Papa instead of Granpa very endearing! Like another Papa in the family who probably finds it warms his heart to be called the name! Even the speech development- our little grandson used a four word sentence-  I don't want to! Could have been five if he said do not! Listening to children and what they have to say, the questions they ask and what they remember means stopping and paying attention to them. We all know that is why it is important not to swear, do not talk about anyone or say something we do not want repeated! Do the children and grandchildren in your lives say some sweet things?

A POSTCARD FROM LA FONTANA DI TREVI

Being married to an Italian born Canadian has its advantages. I have had three trips to Italy. Both my girls have visited the country. In 1995, Natasha went on a trip after High School with her friend Ami.
She wrote her grandparents in Westbank BC a beautiful postcard.

" Dear Nana & Grandpa- My friend Ami and I are having a great time in Italy, I love it here. Everything is so different and the scenery is beautiful. I am picking up the language pretty quickly and I understand a lot more. I will tell you everything when I get home. Love Always, Natasha"

One of my favourite memories in Rome for the first time was drinking one of those little bottles of wine with a pannini sandwiches sitting by the Trevi Fountain in 1991. Many movies that include Rome in their story have pictures by the fountain. That sweet little movie- Three Coins in the Fountain was based on the wishes people make when tossing a coin in the fountain. It is such a beautiful place and a must see for anyone who visits Rome. If you could toss a coin what would your wish be?

If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

2011 THOUGHTS-HOW WAS YOUR YEAR?

As one year begins to end and we anticipate a new one, it is always time for reflection. If it has had difficulties, there are is always the hope things will get better. Sometimes I have heard from others next year can't be worse than this one. Well don't bet on it! I usually suggest to think about what you have been able to survive, look at your strengths, and do not look too far down the road ahead! Things can always get worse, get better or stay the same! Funny but in the real world there are often fewer choices than we think. Even in some of our darkest moments, there have been rays of hope, positive people, funny twists and turns. 2011- a 40th anniversary for Adolph and me, crisis with my folks, same job that I love, challenging myself through whatever has come my way, a loving family and being there for others dealing with stressful and painful situations. Feeling good about a cousin's wedding, attending a grandson's first birthday, knowing a niece is pregnant, seeing my granddaughter start to get her second teeth, reading to two other grandsons and keeping up my blogging- even if some days it is a real stretch to write something, anything! Learning a new tech thing- well maybe I will finally know how to use my new RIM Playbook before 2011 ends! There have been many normal moments that make a life. I have learnt to stop and enjoy the little events in life-perhaps it is an aging thing! To feel good about just being, doing and noticing the world around me. Trying to turn any regrets that sneak into my life by looking for a solution, a challlenge, a positive twist! The half finished writing projects- to keep plugging away- even with all life's interruptions! To honour those that have touched my life! On those days where it is a struggle to get out of bed, to put one foot down at a time and move forward. Like someone said Seize the Day! Have a purpose, a goal, a task, and a life will evolve. Oh yes, remember to dream and then think about how to make those dreams a reality! 2011- what will be your thoughts and memories of the year?

NANA SAYS GRADE ONE IS LOTS OF FUN

My granddaughter starts Grade One today. Everyone has been concerned that after Kindergarten is so much tougher with homework and a long day. We all went to Grade One at some point in our lives. I remember my Grade One teacher- Mrs. Morehouse at Pelmo Park Public School in North York. She seemed so old at the time. However, she was so gentle and sweet. I don't remember her yelling or centering out any children. I learnt to read and really enjoyed school. The teachers in the younger grades must have the patience for the range of differences in ability and academic knowledge. Some children are reading well and others are just getting started. To blend all those children together and help the class emerge is a huge responsibility. Here's to all the Mrs. Morehouses out there! Do you remember your Grade One teacher? Did you like school?