Traffic Jam in Bethlehem!

I love Little People!  No, I'm not talking about the short-statured folks who are on TLC.  I mean the Fisher Price Little People toys.  They're so cute and they let toddlers use their imagination in such a fun way.  


Last week I found a Little People manger scene.  I got it to keep at my house for all  the grandkids to play with.  


I had it set up on their table to play with when Will & Ben came over last Friday.  They thought it was great & immediately started playing with it.  And because they are so polite, thanking me for it over and over again.

Then Carolann and Adeline came over, & eveybody got to play with it:

Apparently the Little People Manger Scene was a big hit with all!

But today, Will took it another step and combined two Little People playsets to make one exciting time in Bethlehem.

First baby Jesus got a ride in a taxi, driven by a Little Person, apparently fresh from a vacation in Hawaii.

Then there was almost an accident caused by the taxi (which is now carrying either Joseph or a shepherd)  crashing into a manger where the animals were trying to eat.  Also, one of the Wise Men is hopping in for a helicopter ride.  

Here's an aerial view of what's going on in Will's version of Bethlehem:

And for the grand finale, Santa joins Baby Jesus & everyone meets up at the stable!

The greatest thing about Little People is the precious little people who play with them!

It's going to be a great Christmas season!

Boardwalk Afternoon

I know!  Two posts in less than 24 hours!  
But I just couldn't let this day go by without sharing these pictures, too.  After all, what's the meaning of GrandMartha's Journal if not to report my adventures being a grandmother?


And last Friday afternoon was an adventure day!  Terry and I picked up the boys early from daycare & headed toward the Louisiana Boardwalk for some fun.  


The boys clamored for a visit to Bass Pro Shop first of all.  Boy Heaven.


First we found a set-up for driving remote control monster trucks.

Then Ben found this display of a gift any boy would be thrilled to open:  a truck towing a boat with a shark!  Awesomeness!!

There was a Polar Express model train set up.  Ben controlled the speed while Buddy & Papa watched.

Neither boy was interested in visiting with Santa.  Perhaps they think it's a bit too early.  Or maybe they're worried about how to answer Santa's question about their recent behavior as it relates to receiving those toys.  Best to rack up a few days of NOT arguing with your brother before seeing the Big Man!

  

At any rate, this man decided to bring his cat to see Santa

The Boardwalk has a trolley.  If you're lucky, it will be running when you visit.  On a pretty day, this is the most (FREE!) fun you can have.  It also saves you a few steps in getting around down there.  Once we got to the far end away from Bass Pro, the trolley was ready to go re-charge at its house.  The boys were sad.  Every time it stopped to let people on, Will would say "Go Again!!"  Here's Ben & me on board.

We arrived at the carousel.  This is not free, but it is a lot of fun!  Ben chose to ride an alligator.  And because it was Veteran's Day, Will chose a very patriotic eagle to ride "Ut...down...Ut....down"  

Then it was time to go.  The sun was starting to set.  Ben's face says it all.  Not happy to be leaving the fun!

We'll go again Ben. Get to work on that list for Santa.  

(And remember to be extra nice to Will!)

A Visit with Royalty

I've been pretty busy the last few weeks.  So busy that I haven't taken time to write anything.  A lot of what has been keeping me away from writing has to do with that other pasttime of mine...photography.  I was asked to photograph a wedding, which I was VERY APPREHENSIVE about doing.  As the bride and her family were almost at a point of having me or having no pictures taken at all, I relented.  The wedding has happened & I survived.  As my editing of those pictures will be at least a week long process, the verdict is still out on whether I did a passable job.  So, that will be a story for another day.


The story of today is that Terry and I went to Texas to babysit our twin granddaughters.  Their new baby cousin was supposed to be born in Longview today & James & Amy wanted to be there for the birth. (As so often happens with labor inductions, though, it is after 11:00 PM & I still don't think the baby has made his appearance).  So, we took some pictures of the girls over the hours we were over there that I thought I would share because they're cute & fun!

Me and the girls

A great photo of Terry with the girls

The girls dressed up to cook in their pink kitchen

Pop-Pop plays Ride A Little Horsey with 2 riders

Running off some energy

Carolann & Adeline compare their pansies

Girls out in the yard

Cook Adeline & Princess Carolann

So that's how we spent our Sunday with these precious princesses. 

It is soooo time to go to bed now!