Silence Sounding

I guess the old Simon and Garfunkel song was on to something or just maybe my limited artistic abilities are finally developing. At any rate, with our return home yesterday, I certainly was inundated in a pool of silence. I know this is the normal state of nature for our home but I was induced into a false sense of cacophony over the past few weeks with my daily association with granddaughters. The FBR’s not inconsequential stay with us over the Christmas holiday was followed by extended time with the BRS and BR3 since last Wednesday up in New Hampshire. They are not a quiet bunch, something I love about them.

I sat Down to Play with BR3, the BRS soon Wormed 
Her Way in to Establish her Primary Position
Riggins Wasn't Far Behind

My Favorite Panamanian in Blissful State

We returned home yesterday after spending all of 2021 (so far) with my Favorite Son’s family. We were pandemically isolated but that was okay since we got to spend that time with my son, the ABFA , and the aforementioned granddaughters, the BRS and BR3. After second Christmas and New Year’s Eve we enjoyed the time spent that dynamic duo.

Second Christmas Tree

Abuela Crowning the Princess BRS

It was certainly fun as I was pressganged by the BRS into becoming her game partner. We played a serial game of hide and seek as well as inventing new games. One involved throwing the ball at my face and laughing uncontrollably if I had to dive and catch the ball. Then there as the dancing on grandpa’s chest which had me very nervous about an impending leg drop onto my exposed face. The ABFA was well aware of the BRS’ tendencies and sternly warned her against the face smashing.

BRS Tossing Ball to me (seated) While
Riggins tries to Intercept

BRS Favorite Moment - When I had to Dive

Our house was also quiet because my Favorite Panamanian, the usual decibel donor, immediately took to bed when we arrived. I guess I wasn’t the only grandparent pushed by the physical requirements of keeping up with a two year and a seven month old. It was also a result of sleepless Saturday night which occurred due to an unfortunate amount of fudge consumed. She stayed up to watch Tenet with my son and I while serially eating fudge. She was trying to figure out what was going on (a necessary reaction to this Christopher Nolan flick). The caffeine resident in the fudge had the predictable effect of previously mentioned sleepless night.

BRS on 2d Christmas Morning

Son Assisting BRS - She Opened her Last Gift two days later
It Was a Process

The ABFA provided all the photos on the blog today and they tell a better story than my fractured prose. It was a great visit that was only compromised by its end which, as with any case involving time with granddaughters, was entirely too soon. I retired to the Man Cave to watch the end of the Patriots’ year as the bill finally came due this season for two decades of dominance. There were some bright spots with some of the young players as they beat the pathetic Jets. At least some things remain unchanged in this pandemically challenged world – The Jets still suck.

BRS Consulting with Favorite Teddy

Very Best Christmas Gift of 2020 - BR3

Latest Checkup Recommended More Tummy Time for BR3
Something She was Not Happy About

BRS Knocking Out some Lunch Prior to Play Dough

Riggins and I Compromised After My Legs Extended into His Space

BR3 Sampling her First Ever Hojaldra

Hang Time with BR3

The Princess BRS

BRS Dancing on Grandpa's Chest

Abuela's Patented Tickle Bites

BR3 in Workout Mode

Tummy Time Together

Trying to Teach Olaf to Follow Blue Light

BR3 Questioning - Who is this big Galoot?

New Year's Eve Cookie Production

BRS Organizing her New Slime Collection

ABFA was in Charge of Putting Marshmallows on Sweet Potato
Casserole - This was the Result - Can Someone Say Sweet Tooth

Grandpa Trying to Figure Out New Toy for BRS

Abuela Doing the Same for BR3

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn

Very Good Riddance

You’ll notice (or maybe you won’t) that I haven’t been posting since last year. There is a very good reason for that. It could be because I am in a dep depression because my daughter, Wingman, and the FBR departed for their home on Wednesday. That, however, and for the very best of reasons, is not the case. I have discovered (more like re-discovered) that the best treatment for granddaughter separation is – more granddaughters! Shortly after my daughter’s family drove south my Favorite Panamanian and I stocked up the car and headed north to my son’s home and a second Christmas.

Very welcome New Year

Hanging with BR3

Have to Convince my Wife to Eventually Take the Numbers Off

The FBR’s departure was a tearful moment for both granddaughter and grandparents. My daughter reported that the FBR took to the couch and cried when they got home and then actually fell asleep which was remarkable since she doesn’t nap now and always fought sleep like her worst enemy (mom heritage). She eventually emerged from her funk, coaxed out by some of her recently acquired Christmas gifts. Chief amongst them was a magic set. She was very excited when she pulled out the magic wand but almost immediately threw it down in disgust. When her mother asked what was wrong, the FBR tearfully replied that it didn’t work. She said abracadabra and tried to transport her mother onto the roof and it didn’t work. Notwithstanding the question of why she was trying to send her mother roof side I told her it probably only needed some batteries. I don’t think my daughter fully appreciated the suggestion.

Tearful FBR Parting

We Didn't Want Her to Leave Either

Meanwhile, up north, we arrived to my son’s house and unloaded a very full car laden with Christmas presents for my son’s family. Luckily during this process both granddaughters were napping. The nascent depression brought on by the FBR’s departure was immediately solved when my Favorite Son and ABFA walked out to help me unload. We were able to get their Christmas tree completely re-stocked with gifts by the time the gals awoke.

BRS Building with her Dad

BRS Breakfast!!!!

BRS Squiring her Many Babies Around

The plan was to conduct a second Christmas on New Years’ Eve day maintaining as many of our family Christmas traditions as possible. My son had volunteered, due to the pandemic, to miss out on actual Christmas at our house so my daughter’s family could join us. He had the option of the ABFA’s parents to enjoy the day with. I can’t wait for Christmas this year when we’ll all be together. Second Christmas morning was laced with a serious amount of fun as we watched the kids and their parents open gifts. The FBR called in because she wanted to experience it with us.

BR3 and ABFA

The Gals with the Restocked Tree

Sisters!

The BRS is the first child I’ve ever met who doesn’t move from one gift to the next as quickly as possible. She insisted to stop and play with each new gift opened. The FBR did not understand the logic and looked ready to demand her parents drive her north to help opening gifts. This means, two days later, the BRS still has a pile of gifts to open. My son and I embarked on the Christmas dinner after the abbreviated gift openings. We had prepped the turkey the night before and got everything ready ahead of schedule, which had the ladies in a bit of consternation. I even got the gravy right this time out, a sore point with my wife from first Christmas.

Princess Crowned

New Babies!

And a New Dress and Necklace!

Now we get to the good riddance part. We finally got to put 2020, and all the attendant gyrations attached to it, behind us. My son does not usually stay up late and the arrival of two daughters have done nothing except to enhance that tendency. He took one for the team though and stayed up with us to celebrate the death of the worst year, by far, in my experience. I mean, even the Patriots had a losing record.

FBR Decorated Grandpa

And her Abuela

It was a lot of fun celebrating with my son and the ABFA. We assisted my son in making another batch of his peerless sugar cookies. I know this doesn’t sound like a rocking New Years’ Eve but I will remind you this was safely inside 2020. Despite that we had a great time as baking cookies while drinking beer turns out to be a lot of fun. It also enhanced my cookie kleptomaniacal side to new heights. Cookies and beer, who knew! Shortly after 2021 arrived we were on a Facetime call with my daughter and Wingman which made the new year seem even more promising. A great start to a year that just has to be better, of course that is not a high standard considering the year that it follows but you gotta believe. Happy New Year to you all, I hope you had the chance to pass it surrounded by as excellent a group of people as I was.

Some Late Arriving Photos from First Christmas
FBR Art Work

FBR Coaxing her Grandparents into a Dance Party

Pee Wee Wants to Help my Wife Cook

Really Wants

She Also Wanted to Help with my Haircut

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RECURRING CHARACTERS                                           

BR3 – granddaughter #3, BRS - Blog Reader the Sequel - second granddaughter; FBR - First Blog Reader - first granddaughter, ABFA – Amazing Best Family Athlete = my daughter in law; Wingman – my son in law; Keene Friends 1 & 2 – friends since high school from my home town of Keene, NH; Soxfather - my brother in law; Great Aunt - my elder sister; Cantankerous Friend – friend since grade school who likes to argue about everything, poses as radical leftist to attract women; Kindergarten Friend – friend since kindergarten whom I reunited with after many years; Pittsburgh College Roommate – high school friend, also a “Minor Celebrity” in Pittsburgh; Deckzilla – our backyard deck which grew to monstrous dimensions once my wife got involved in planning; Maine and Virginia Musqueteras – two close friends of my wife – her US sisters, my wife is the 3^rd musquetera (musketeer); Riggins - also known as the Grandpuppy, son's dog; PanaGals – female relatives /friends of my wife from Panama; Panamanian/Latin Mafia – inevitable group of Latino friends my wife accumulates wherever we have lived & their spouses; Neighborhood Mafioso - wife's close friend and Panamanian mafia member, Favorite Panamanian - the wife (of course); First Friday – celebrations to mark the First Friday of the Week; Curbside Girls – close friends of my daughter acquired during her single days in Brooklyn