Happy End To Winter! Finally!!

I hope you all have had a pleasant time this winter, and I hope that for all of us it will be over soon. I saw leaf buds forming on trees here and the daffodils are finally starting to come up. Usually in Memphis they are gone by now.

Grace and Tod and I have been busy finding new ways to keep entertained and enjoy ourselves. And Grace has enjoyed all of her Daddy's snow days.

Here are a few photos from the fall and winter that you might enjoy.

The botanical garden here has opened a wonderful new children's section. My daughter, being of the ultra hearty Dillender stock, feels no cold and so delighted herself and tormented the other children by splashing away. Apperently, no one else had brought a change of clothes to play in the creek. She also loved climbing in the trees with her buddy Andersen.



Busy cooking candied citrus peel for Granddaddy for Christmas.



Grace loves to be a kitty cat all the time. We go to the grocery store, the park, and even to mother's day out once as a kitty cat. I guess she likes spreading smiles.



We weren't sure exactly which person at Riverwoods Santa was giving the tractor to, but Granddaddy graciously let Grace claim it. It is a big hit. As were the tools she got and immediately used to "fix" it. Anytime she gets to talk to Granddaddy on the phone she asks him how his tractors are doing.



Toy box/ nap spot



Snow day #2





Snow day #3 and yes the sled is just a piece of plywood and a tie down strap. Tod said it was his best 5 min project ever. Grace thoroughly enjoyed having us pull her around the block.


And in case you haven't seen it yet. We are introducing the Gold medalist in the 2022 downhill



Grace joined us on the slopes one morning in Telluride. She really had a blast and told me to go fast! She also shouted encouragement to Granddaddy and Uncle Bob and Daddy too. She had a very good time with Nannie the other days going for adventures and loved flying in a plane.

Grace is three now and all about adventure. She keeps us on our toes and keeps us amazed at all that she learns and has figured out.

Happy November.

We have all been having a nice but extremely damp fall. We make good use of the sunshine when it is around though. Here are a few photos of a visit from Nannie and Granddaddy, who is probably Grace's favorite person, and of course a few Halloween photos. Grace and the camera didn't cooperate at the same time too well but she had a lot of fun at Miss Sheri's and handing out candy.

Playing it cool with Andersen

almost always smiling

At the Zoo

"GRANDDADDY" is a definite favorite
You must understand that this word is only vocalized at high pitches with lots of decibels and with great enthusiasm.

Checking out animals

Play time with Daddy.

She's almost ready for piggy back but not quite.

MEOW!

Giving Daddy love.

Hope you all are thoroughly enjoying the fall and family and friends.

Grace's Art

Hello,  I wanted to share with you all some of Grace's creations.  These are the big highlights for me!  She loves to color and to paint, and just yesterday we got out scissors and she was enthralled with cutting.  She is not able to be potty trained but she can use her scissors.  Here are some of her paintings and projects done in the nursery.

First painting ever!

another water color.  She actually was very careful with brush strokes and seemed to spend much thought on them.

her "work"  she likes to get a pen and make very careful and minute scribbles on the page because she has to do her work.

school project.  (thumbprints)

Growing Up

She is getting in training for sleeping arrangements for Up Yonder.

(I used to claim the pick-nick table for my own so I'd be assured of a spot to sleep) 

Grace is getting to be such a big girl.  She talks all the time and everyday is relating more complicated thoughts.  The most fun to watch is how much her imagination has developed.  She loves to grab Fred Bird and put him in the high chair and make dinner for him.  This morning she was getting toys and asking him which ones he would like to play with.  "Fred Bird, do you want the blue ball?  Yeah, you want the blue ball."  

Manners are starting up to.  She remembers to ask with please and hollers thank you as she's taking off to the next activity.  

Mostly she is still just the goofy little monkey she has always been,  very quirky, inquisitve, and very sweet.

reading to her animals instead of napping

first pigtails!

some days she insists on wearing her "jimmy-jammies" all day, and some days she just has to be "naked baby",  and she loves to accessorize with hats.

Up Yonder 2009

Well, I am officially a bad mother. I didn't even get my camera out of its case at the reunion. Luckily there were a lot of cameras out and active. Kudos to all the great camera work. I am including a few shots from Anne-Marie ( a Dollahite Grandchild). Also here is a video of Grace on the new addition to her swing set. We didn't put it together at first because who really want to encourage an 18 month old to climb better. This was her 3rd time up a climbing wall ever. Bob she'll be ready for bouldering in no time.

If you are a Facebooker many have posted their Up Yonder pictures there. Here are a few:





Tod stayed for just a short stay and then left to go to see our new newphew (a boy?)
Ford Burton quite happy and healthy


The funny bit is that Grace hated "bumpos" when she was the age they are intended for. At the lake she couldn't have enough time in it.



The five under two and under at the Reunion, one Cooke, one Alston, three Dollahites.
Annaliese (D), Grace (C), Corri (A), Glorianne (D), Gabrielle (D)
(Aren't those outfits cute?)



Golf anyone?



What would the reunion be without at lease one good gossip session a day.
All of the little girls had a blast playing together. Grace was sad to see them go.



See what I mean, GOSSIP.





Actually, I just thought it was nice to see the eldest generation still enjoying the reunion.

And last but not least...



She knows no fear. no waves to big. no wake to imposing.

no hands !


Grace looke at me solemly as I got my ski on for my one ski this year and said:

"No ski, Mama.

No ski, Mama.

Gracie ski."


Maybe next year.




bye bye.

Swimming Like a Turtle

Grace loves "swimming like a turtle".  Her self declared new skill in her pool.  

Bad Mama

Okay,  so I am finally getting around to putting some more pictures of Grace up. 

It has been very busy here.  I ended up selling 23 dresses and 3 hats and still have some people interested in more summer wear.  One of the orders was for 21 dresses for a woman who is opening a store for infants in Rockport, MA.  I learned through some of our conversations via Etsy that she is also a RISD grad.  A few years before me and from illustration.  

Tod is done with school and is getting lots of Grace time in.  

And, Grace is a hoot and a handful.  She loves to read.  She loves to run fast.  She loves to laugh.  She is starting to figure out swimming, as opposed to splashing. She can now  catch and throw a ball with as much accuracy as I can so hopefully Tod will do his fatherly duty and get her past me.  She is learning how to pedal her tricycle well and it speeds up walks to the park.  I may even be able to get some walks back in myself.

  We still like seeing Andersen.  Grace and He really do have fun together they just didn't want to pose for pictures.

  "Special treats"  aka fruit snacks make everything better...

  just not pictures.

water water everywhere and I must always splash.
  Tod and Grace love to feed the fish at the Botanical Garden
   Dance moves are quite individual
  She shares her treats.
 she is an expert snuggler and wrestler and sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the two.
  Always the ham.
  Where else do you read your Bible but in the hamper with all of your animals, and of course with your goggles.  These are a frequent accessory notice they were at the Botanical Garden also.

  We also love to go to the park.  Grace has mastered all the ladders and climbing equipment and finally most days would rather run and climb and slide than swing.
  Today the balls had to come. but Grace washappy to share them with some of the other frequent visiters.

  And, what else do you do when you've played so hard at the park and Mama won't let you hold the camera?  Take a nap.