The Day She Waited All Winter For...

Grace has had April 10th marked on her calendar all winter. That was the day that Grace and her Mom and her Grandma and her Great Aunt Vicki were taking the train into Chicago and doing the American Girl Store.

We boarded the South Shore at 8:50 in the morning and settled back to enjoy the ride - except for Grace, who asked every 10 minutes "how much longer". The South Shore is convenient, but it's not a speedy trip.

Aside from the human travelers aboard the South Shore, there were more than just a few American Girl dolls. Grace brought Kit and Bitty Baby with her. Her ultimate goal today is to buy the Bitty Twins, which means we'll be bringing FOUR dolls home tonight on the train.

We had brunch reservations at 11:00 (Chicago time). We got off the train at 10:35 and hustled ourselves a mile up Michigan Avenue to the long awaited pot of gold at the end of Grace's rainbow.

Brunch was just wonderful!!! Not only was the food good, they leave no detail untouched. They even provide chairs for the dolls that you bring - AND, if you forgot to bring your doll, they have dolls they will let you borrow so that you have a "lunch companion". I think the following photos will give you the general idea...

After brunch, we explored the store and purchased the long awaited Bitty Twins. At this point, we discovered we could pay $5 and have her original Bitty Baby cleaned. Trust me, this doll was in need of a good cleaning. By the time they were done, little Ms. Bitty was like NEW!!

After some shopping for Kit and a photo shoot with her doll, we trudged back down Michigan Avenue - without near the enthusiasm of four hours earlier. Grandma made a detour on Randolph Street to grab some Garrett's Popcorn and then it was back on the train - three grown women, one five year old and four dolls.

Hey Grace - looks to me like this day was worth waiting for!!

An "American Girl" Christmas

About six months ago, Kelli decided to part with her American Girl Doll (Kit). Now Kit was in really good shape, having spent the past several years stored safely in her box. So, when she was passed on to Grace - she was almost like new. Grace was thrilled!!!! We weren't sure she was old enough to appreciate Kit, but she has proved us wrong. And because of that, Grace had a real "American Gir" Christmas. We got her the DVD, Kit's dog - which just so happens is named Grace, and I got Kit and Grace matching pajamas, as you can see from the photo below.

Cozy Cousins

My photographer friend Jenny is "teasing" us with a few more photos on her website. Here are my two granddaughters - Grace Urbanski and Anna Knight - modeling the latest in matching cousin pajamas. Perfect attire for a cold winter night.

Grace and Anna....

Grandaughters - I have two of them. They are the twinkling stars in the heaven that is my life!!!

Grace can't keep her hands off of Anna - and Anna is starting to get a mind of her own when it comes to Grace. They will both be flower girls in Chrissie's wedding next summer, and as Grace loves to tell everyone, "I'm in charge of Anna". Someday, Anna may just be "in charge" of Grace.

Not a Care in the World....

Do you remember the last time you felt like this? Unfortunately for most of us adults - probably not since we were kids. When we're young, all we want to do is grow up - and when we're grown up, all we want to do is feel like this.

Grandma's Girls

In November, when Baby Boy Van Fleit joins our family - the grandchildren count will be:

Boys - 4
Girls - 2

Grace and Anna are going to have to team up together against all those rough-housing boys!

From the looks of this photo, they won't have any problem with the "teaming up".

(And, if any of my photo editing friends are out there....I just bought Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 and for the life of me, I can't figure out how to get rid of this bottle in front of Grace. I need HELP!)

4 Years Old....

Our Gracie turns 4 today! Wow - how fast have those four years flown by??!!

She loves pretty dresses and Polly Pockets and Disney Princesses and grandma's dog.

We love you baby! Come to grandma's house - I've got plenty of juice and cookies - your favorites!

You Make Me Smile.....

This is one of my latest Design Team layouts for "Pages in Time". Our little grandaughter Grace is such an easy subject!! Product line used: Dream Street - Everyday Celebrations.

State of Grace.....

So, I've been hired by a client to complete four years of her daughter's high school life by way of photographs and memories in a scrapbook. I've completed the freshman and sophomore years and am well underway with the junior year. Her mom will deliver all of the senior year stuff after we return from our cruise - which will give me about six weeks to get it finished before she graduates. My evenings are consumed with this project. I come home from work, grab a quick bite, throw some laundry into the washer and head to my studio. Amidst reruns of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Entertainment Tonight" - I plug away. This morning, I decided to squeeze in one of my own layouts for my family album. I'm currently running about 9 months behind and I refuse to let myself fall more than a year behind. So, I reached in my sorted box and pulled out a pre-planned layout I had of our grandaughter Grace. An hour later, here it is....

Grandpa's Girls

For 3 1/2 years, there was only one "princess" in Grandpa's life and that was Grace. She didn't have to share Grandpa's lovin' with her brothers or her cousin Ben - 'cause she was the only grandaughter. Then, Anna came along in September. But you know what? Grace doesn't seem to mind one bit.

Being surrounded by boys - Gracie loves having her little cousin - even if it means sharing Grandpa's hugs and kisses.

Grace

This child can wear me out faster than anyone could begin to imagine.

Nolan had a birthday party on Saturday afernoon and Carrie and Joe wanted to do some Christmas shopping. That's a relatively easy project with Jack, but not with Grace - who opted for a few hours with Grandma. We started off curled up on the couch with Rigby and "Sleeping Beauty". Pretty soon, she lost interest in that movie and informed the dog that she was going to "get a different one". Next on the agenda....crackers, juice and "Beauty and the Beast". Of course, we also had to squeeze in a photo shoot with Rigby. Just wish I could learn how to photograph my dog without the "possessed eye" thing going on.

The Rewards of "Grandmotherhood"

....three of my rewards!!!!

She's 3.....

Three years ago today, Grace Elizabeth Urbanski joined this family. As of right now, she's our only granddaughter - but that will change come September (or so the ultrasound says).


Yesterday, we celebrated with Grace - and it was a party any "princess" would have been jealous of...

My Little Mermaid....

Grace is on a "Little Mermaid" kick. Yesterday, Carrie and Grace and I had a "girl's day" at the mall and Grace came out the WINNER!! That child moved around the Disney Store at 100 mph. Her most prized possession - a $5.00 plastic camera phone - complete with sound effects and the Little Mermaid's face. Well, I couldn't leave without some Mermaid pajamas. Then, it was on to the Build a Bear Store for more goodies. Little Ms. Stubborn wouldn't let anyone help her - as she walked through the mall, dragging a Disney bag and a Bear box behind her - declaring "mine" if anyone tried to help her.

Carrie just emailed me this photo - notice the camera phone still clenched in her fist, and as of noon today - still in her new pajamas. GOOD LUCK trying to get those off of her!

Our Disney Princess....

Trust me - she's not NEARLY as angelic as these photos show - but she's our little princess.

Our only grandaughter - Grace.