Two more fun days in the memory bank

I was back at my computer and piano today.    All of a sudden it seems like the Christmas season is just around the corner, and there is lots of music to prepare.  I'm so happy to have another chance to use some favorites from my years at school.  

On Sunday after church I drove to Reading to spend some time with Destiny.  Dick didn't go this time, since I was planning to stay over for Monday.    Destiny and I had a great time together.  First of all we went to top of the Reading Mountain to see the Pagoda.  The Pagoda can be seen for many  miles around, but we never before took the time to drive up to it and climb to the top.  Here was our first view of it.

A couple of views from the bottom.

Inside we climbed about six flights of stairs to the observation deck on the top floor.  They had several of the binocular things up there that really magnified everything, and we were able to pick out her house as well as the one she used to live in.   Unfortunately, it was a very cloudy day, so the view was not spectacular.  Here are a few pics I took.

 From there we went to the iMax theater to see the newly released Puss in Boots.  We took this picture of ourselves in the restroom bofore it started.

We weren't really hungry after the movie was over, because we had snacked on popcorn the entire time, but Destiny was in the mood for ice cream.  So we went looking for a place to get some ice cream.  What better place to find than Carvel?  She ended up taking most of hers along home to her brother - much to his delight!

 After I took her home I drove to my stepmother's house to sleep.  On Monday morning I took her to Lancaster City for her eye appointment.  She had cataract surgery in September and is still having some issues with recovery.   On the way back to her house she wanted to treat me to lunch, so we stopped at a little country restaurant for some soup and wraps.  It was delightful, as always, to spend time with her.  I was having such a good time I forgot to take any pictures. 

After I took her home I went to visit Manheim Christian, where I used to teach.  I had a great time seeing most of my former co-workers and many of the students.  My main purpose for stopping in was to borrow some Christmas music for my choirs up here.  Oh my.  Looking through all that music really stirred me up!  This afternoon I was singing a number of them and remembering.  Good times, good memories.  I also forgot to get my camera out while I was there, even though a former student who reads this blog had specifically asked me to.  (Sorry, Gwenda!  I was just having too much fun!  But I did say "Hi" to Mrs.Groff for you.)

When I left the school I went to Sam and Jenn's place for Sammy duty.  He was sound asleep in his boppy, looking a whole lot chubbier than two weeks ago!  Why does that double chin look so cute on him, but not on me??

Jenn and I had a good time talking till Sam got home from work.  When he did get home, he said, "Look, Sammy and I match!"  So of course, I had to get a picture of the matching father and son.

I'm so mad at myself that I didn't take any picture of Jenn this time.  She was looking especially beautiful.  It would have been a perfect time for a family picture, but......  

They went out to a nearby restaurant for dinner while I babysat Sammy for the first time.  He was very sleepy again, so I just enjoyed cuddling him most of the time. 

But sometimes I became a pesty grandma and changed his diaper on purpose to wake him up.  The second time he finally stayed awake for a while.  

I took a little video of him just lying on his changing blanket, looking around, making little sounds, gagging on his own saliva, kicking.  Of course, I was hoping to catch a smile, because I heard that he was smiling for his other grandma on Sunday.  But I guess I just wasn't funny enough!  When I showed this video to Sam and Jenn after they came home, Sam finally asked, "So does he actually do something, like spit up or something, or is this it?"  I said, "No, I was just delighted to finally see him awake!"  He said, "Ok, I was just waiting for the big ending."  Hahahahahah!!  No, there's no big ending.  No drama.  Just a baby doing his thing, delighting his grandma!

I stayed at Grandma Mary's again last night, had a wonderful breakfast of baked oatmeal and heart-to heart conversation with her, then hit the road for home, my heart full of happy memories once again.