Goodbye Nanny

Nanny Barb has departed tBF land today. She'll probably need a rest after the past week. It was good to have her here for Peanut's birthday. Here's a shot of the duo walking in the driveway.

Peanut and Nanny

A sweet picture of Peanut and Nanny taken today at the family brunch.

Then the mischief side took over Nanny who ended up giving Peanut a new hairdo

Swashbuckler BigE

BigE has been dieing for a sword for a couple of weeks. He even went looking for the wood glue to stick some of his Lincoln logs together. I was finally able to stop and pick up a some 1x2 for a sword on Friday. I took a couple of pieces and made a simple shaped one. I knew the imagination would take care of the rest.

It was a pretty big hit during the day. It was even used for a little baseball at one point. In his mind its like a big Swiss Army knife capable of anything.

So tonight after his and his baby sister's shower I came out of the baby's room to Nanny and BigE in a sword fight. They'd even figured out to use the laundry basket covers as shields.

Of course much of the battle was in keeping BigE in control of his sword. Hit the other sword not the person. Should real pirates attack this will surely confuse him but we'll cross that bridge when we need to.


After Nanny had suffered a few bruises she finishes with a text book point

Thanks to the Nannies

This week BigE received to pieces of mail which made him very happy. Nanny Barb sent some Halloween stickers, which as I learned in Super Spy's are for bad guys. While Nanny Dot sent to coupons for McDonald's. As I've said before those play lands are like kiddy crack.

Well be putting our new goodies to good use this week.

Long Distance Grandma

So I'm checking out a site named www.squidoo.com. Don't worry there won't be a quiz on that. I'm still not really sure what the heck it is. Anyways there was a post/theme How to be a Good Long Distance Grandma.

That caught my eye. Not because BigE doesn't have Great Grandmas but maybe we could use some ideas to overcome the distance. Short of air travel that is.

Now the trick on this site seems to be to keep your eyes on the center column of information. But here are some of the links from that page

Staying Connected with the Kids from Long Distance (www.about.com)

Ponder Postcards. One of the things some of my contacts said about postcards was that they are quick, easy and fun. They have the personal touch of a handwritten note, but they also don't have to be long and involved. They are especially fun when you are traveling for business or pleasure and come from wherever you are.

Surprise Gifts. One of my friends tries to find a little trinket (stuffed animal, poster, cute socks) and send it along with a note every month or so to a daughter who lives far away. It doesn't have to be expensive, and it is always a nice surprise for her.

Long-Distance Grandparents (grandparentstoday.com)

Bake and send their favorite cookies. Include the recipe, and videotape yourself making the cookies for a personal cooking lesson.

Ok I quoted that for me. But it was in the article.

For a far-away grandchild's birthday, buy party hats, favors, balloons, etc. and send them to the grandchild to use at their party.

Create mementos from a hobby you enjoy. A birdhouse, jewelry box, quilt or holiday ornament made specifically for the child will be treasured for years to come.

Now I don't really want to encourage spending money here. But most of this is pretty simple stuff. From our perspective BigE has enjoyed using mail. He likes getting mail. As observed with his paintings he likes sending them. So maybe we need to get more stamps.

This does raise the challenge to come up with more ways to connect the dispersed family. Ideas? Post a comment or drop an email to thebusseyfamily@gmail.com

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Letter from nanny

Somebody was happy to get a package in the mail yesterday. A few toys left at nanny barb's. Well it included a little letter. Boy o' boy that letter has been pure gold. BigE has hardly put it down in the last 24 hours.

Oh and that chocolate hockey puck was pretty darn good too!

Happy Mothers Day

A Happy Mothers day goes out to Mama, Nanny Dot and Nanny Barb.

Can't let the day go without saying "Happy Mothers Day"

Nanny Barb

Not to be out done or forgotten. Here is Nanny Barb. When my tax bill goes up in June I'll know its because there was a rash of new OAS checks going out that month.

Till we find a photo here's what we have

Butterflies at Bowring Park

Well we decided to feed the ducks and go see the Butterflies at the hothouse. The ducks it turns out had been just feed. That didn't turn out to be very much fun. We made a mental note to only visit later in the day.

Now the butterflies turned out to be an interesting visit. Picture 200 butterflies flying around an 8ft high green house. Now if you were really still the butterflies would land on you.




Apparently it was physical movement and not verbal.

Now once the word got out everyone tried to stay still to get a butterfly to land.



What was surprising was the warning to watch out for butterflies. I came very close to squashing one of these



and when I say close. I mean my heel was down, he was under the ball of my foot until somebody jabbed a finger into my chest to get me to stop.

Now little did I realize they could do something useful like this