In our family history there are a number of restaurants worth remembering.
The first one was visiting a neighbohood restaurant with dear daughter-in-law. While in Richmond on business, I stopped at the Seminary Avenue address to say hello. Finding dear son away on business, it was only natural to have dinner with the "Mrs.," so we opted for the close-by location.
I cannot remember what we ordered, but as we sat eating, I looked across the place and saw a fat (obviously well-fed)mouse coming out from under the kitchen door. With our appetites somewhat diminished, we finished the meal in haste and left. It seems that mice and pregnant women are a real anathema to each other!
Without a doubt my grandchildren's favorite restaurant in the Richmond, Virginia area was the FRIENDLYS chain. We went there many, many times, and particularly when dear friend (later known as dear wife), and I were baby-sitting for out-of-town parents. There were two items ALWAYS ORDERED : Whitney ALWAYS had a grilled cheese sandwich, and, Kelly and Whitney both had clown sundaes for dessert. Grandson Christopher ate whatever was ordered for him.
Another favorite restaurant was in the Sheraton Hotel in Fredricksburg, Virginia. This was where two grandparents from McLean delivered, or received grandchildren from the Richmond grandparents. It was sort of like the old time Pony Express western station, except that the cargo was a lot more valuable.
More, later.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
BABY SITTING
One of the joys of grand-parenting is baby-sitting (aka, doing what comes naturally). I cut my teeth on this delightful task at the Seminary Avenue home.
The first basic in baby-sitting is diaper-changing. In the old days it became an art if you could do the job without jabbing yourself (or the baby) with a pin while holding down the squirming body. In today's world you have the sticky tape to do the job. The day when baby graduates to panties is a hallelujah day, indeed.
The next basic is feeding time - when you face the challenge of feeding the baby something he or she doesn't like. Usually it becomes a game of "airplane," where you zoom the food around until baby starts to laugh. Then you make a lightening thrust into the aperture (aka the mouth). You must be alert to sidestep any spitting of food in your direction.
Progressing with age, you enter the book-reading or game-playing stage. I suppose I played a thousand games of CANDYLAND with my grandchildren and I am still doing it today with great-grandchildren! If you are outside, it's swing-pushing, sandbox-playing, floating in the pool or teaching bike-riding.
My first time alone with granddaughter Kelly was in McLean. Grandmother and parents took off to see some ballet at Wolf Trap Park and I was in charge. Kelly dutifully took her "bot," and went right to bed. I had become an expert!!
More, later.
The first basic in baby-sitting is diaper-changing. In the old days it became an art if you could do the job without jabbing yourself (or the baby) with a pin while holding down the squirming body. In today's world you have the sticky tape to do the job. The day when baby graduates to panties is a hallelujah day, indeed.
The next basic is feeding time - when you face the challenge of feeding the baby something he or she doesn't like. Usually it becomes a game of "airplane," where you zoom the food around until baby starts to laugh. Then you make a lightening thrust into the aperture (aka the mouth). You must be alert to sidestep any spitting of food in your direction.
Progressing with age, you enter the book-reading or game-playing stage. I suppose I played a thousand games of CANDYLAND with my grandchildren and I am still doing it today with great-grandchildren! If you are outside, it's swing-pushing, sandbox-playing, floating in the pool or teaching bike-riding.
My first time alone with granddaughter Kelly was in McLean. Grandmother and parents took off to see some ballet at Wolf Trap Park and I was in charge. Kelly dutifully took her "bot," and went right to bed. I had become an expert!!
More, later.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
THE OUTER BANKS
Without a doubt the Outer Banks of North Carolina is my favorite vacation spot. This may be because of early visits there in 1942 as a guest of Uncle Sam (see BOOT CAMP), although subsequent visits for family vacations put it in an even more favorable light.
The first time that dear son and his family were a part of our vacation group, there was just one grandchild in the family. I can still picture Kelly riding her tricycle on the motel pavement. Our favorite motel then, the Cavalier, is still in business, serving guests in the Kill Devil Hills area. For you history buffs, this is the location where the Wright brothers first flew off the sand dunes on December 10, 1912. Those same dunes are still there, and actively used by kite gliders.
The motel is located right on the beach, which means it is just a few steps to the gently rolling (most of the time) surf, making it easy to take "tiny tots" and all of the necessary equipment right onto the sand. Two of my favorite camera shots include one that I call "THE SISTERS," showing Kelly and Whitney posing on the motel steps. The other favorite shows Whitney sitting in the surf watching me surf-fish. Precious memories.
It seems that the grandchildren went to KDHs in birth order. First was Kelly, followed by Kelly and Whitney, followed by Kelly, Whitney and Christopher. I also have a sweet picture of Christopher getting a "tubby" in the motel washbasin.
More, later.
The first time that dear son and his family were a part of our vacation group, there was just one grandchild in the family. I can still picture Kelly riding her tricycle on the motel pavement. Our favorite motel then, the Cavalier, is still in business, serving guests in the Kill Devil Hills area. For you history buffs, this is the location where the Wright brothers first flew off the sand dunes on December 10, 1912. Those same dunes are still there, and actively used by kite gliders.
The motel is located right on the beach, which means it is just a few steps to the gently rolling (most of the time) surf, making it easy to take "tiny tots" and all of the necessary equipment right onto the sand. Two of my favorite camera shots include one that I call "THE SISTERS," showing Kelly and Whitney posing on the motel steps. The other favorite shows Whitney sitting in the surf watching me surf-fish. Precious memories.
It seems that the grandchildren went to KDHs in birth order. First was Kelly, followed by Kelly and Whitney, followed by Kelly, Whitney and Christopher. I also have a sweet picture of Christopher getting a "tubby" in the motel washbasin.
More, later.
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