Happy Birthday, Camryn!

My beautiful granddaughter, Camryn, is turning 18 today! We celebrated by going to one of her favorite Mexican food restaurants and splurging on brisket enchiladas and tacos. I usually make ice cream for the grandchildren, but they know they can change it up if the taste buds are ready for something different. Camryn chose chocolate chip cookies this time. I was more than happy to oblige.

I'm proud of Camryn for many reasons. She's always had a big heart and it shows through so perfectly with little Riley, whom she adores. And watching her graduate from high school just made my heart swell. That's a big accomplishment after 12 sometimes hard and boring years of study. Pomp and Circumstance tugs at the heartstrings anyway, but especially when your own granddaughter is walking down the aisle.

Camryn is also a special sister to Candice and Thomas. She and Candice have always been best friends and Camryn dotes on her younger brother. She's so much fun to be with and has such a great sense of humor. She's a hard worker, a loving mom, and one of my prides and joys.

Enjoy your birthday, Camryn. I hope the year ahead is just as special as you are to me. I love you, Girlfriend!

Happy Birthday, Camryn!

My beautiful granddaughter, Camryn, is 17 today! She's getting ready to enter her senior year in high school and definitely growing up too fast. We have a birthday dinner and shopping date planned for the weekend. Also, she wants to have a sleepover and I told her I was ready and still remember how to be a giggly teenager. We should have a blast!

Camryn, on this birthday I want to remind you again how special you are to me. I admire you so much - your good grades, holding down a job, your sweet character, and the positive, mature stand you have taken on certain subjects. I love you and I'm proud to call you my granddaughter.

Happy Sweet 16, Camryn!

And what a beautiful, charming, fun and sweet 16 she is! Enjoy this milestone with your family and friends. The chocolate ice cream is made and on its way. I love you, Camryn!!! You are an absolute delight!

Our Date with Camryn

Our annual birthday date with Camryn was just as special this time as it's always been. She's a delightful young lady with a good head on her shoulders. She's always a joy to be with.Camryn had fun trying on clothes at a trendy teen store. She chose three beautiful tops, one that can be used as a bikini cover-up. Of course Memaw thinks she looks good in anything.

I try to do a little something extra for the birthday girl who is turning sweet 16. I gave Camryn a makeup bag with nail polishes in funky colors, lip gloss, mascara, and chocolates. A girl's gotta have chocolate.

We ended our shopping spree at Chili's where the three of us enjoyed an early dinner together. Camryn asked that we not broadcast her birthday so as to spare her any embarrassments. It was hard to refrain, but we went along with her wishes.

Stay tuned for the sweet 16 birthday blog on the 8th. Camryn is such a doll!

Conquered Fear & a Beautiful Smile

The fear of water is a thing of the past. My grandchildren have learned that a day in the pool is lots of fun. Baylee shocked us all by jumping off the diving board. Dad was close by in case she needed him, but she managed to jump quite often without expecting him to catch her. Her Mom suggested that she get a running start on the diving board before jumping, and she did. We were so proud of her courage, but no more than she was!
Jude spent most of his time snorkeling with his face in the water. He also jumped off the diving board to shouts of praise from his cheering section. Both kids have become fishes! Jude, of course, is a shark, his current fascination. He can tell you anything you want to know about them. This kid has cat and dog issues, but he absolutely loves sharks. I'm confused.
And here's our beautiful Camryn with her braces off! Look at that dazzling smile! I'm very tempted to put her and Candice under lock and key.
I got to spend a lovely afternoon with Camryn this weekend. We were at a home party of a friend and I hope she enjoyed being with all of us "old ladies" as much as I enjoyed her. She's adorable!

Happy Birthday, Camryn!

This gorgeous girl is my 15-year-old granddaughter, Camryn, who is enjoying a birthday today. And as if a birthday isn't exciting enough, Camryn got her braces off today! I can't wait to see her new smile. I just can't imagine it being any more perfect than her smile has always been.

Turning 15 means she is now a candidate for drivers ed. When I think back to that year of tamping a make-believe brake pedal on the passenger side while her Dad polished his driving skills, I can't help but feel that justice is being served. Drive him everywhere he wants to go, Camryn!

Camryn will be a sophomore this school year and has signed up for many required and elective subjects. She sings in the choir and has chased more than a few balls on the soccer field. She has a level head on her shoulders that will serve her well. She hasn't admitted to me that she is boy crazy and I feel more comfortable believing she isn't. More than enough time for boys!

Happy birthday, Camryn. I'll have your strawberry ice cream made before you know it.

Camryn and Our Birthday Tradition

Camryn will be turning 15 this week so we set out to enjoy our birthday lunch and shopping. This is always a fun time for us. I get to re-visit my teenage years through her and she gets to experience a good dose of humility by being seen out in public with her grandma. She handled it very well!

She chose to have lunch at Fridays and our waitress treated us to a big dish of vanilla ice cream, topped with chocolate syrup and whipping cream, in honor of Camryn's birthday. We didn't know if we had room for the ice cream after a big lunch, but we managed to clean the bowl.

Let this picture be a reminder to all you mature ladies out there to never share a picture with a 15-year-old. It doesn't flatter you. Not at all. Actually, the age thing came into play when we entered the restaurant. The greeter asked if we wanted to sit in the bar.

"We're too young," I told him.

"She may be too young, but you aren't," he rudely replied. Then, I guess it hit him how awful that had sounded and he offered to card me. Too late, buddy, you already blew it.


After lunch, the fun part began. Shopping! Camryn had fun trying on clothes and picking out earrings. She ended up with 10 pairs of earrings, sandals, a pair of denim shorts, and a cute top. Notice the worn spot on the shorts. I could put my finger through the threads. I asked if they were defective.

Camryn just smiled. "It's the style, Memaw."

Man, I could make a fortune if I still had all the thread-bare shorts and jeans I discarded when a hole appeared.

I enjoyed my day with my beautiful girl. And if we think she's beautiful today, just wait until her actual birthday when her braces come off. I hope to document that moment with a picture.

Thank you, Camryn for a perfect day. I love you!

A Night With Our Teenagers

Robin and I had so much fun this evening with Candice and Camryn. They wanted the second piercing in their ears (and I hope the final one) for Christmas so we took them to get stabbed. While there, they were allowed to choose new earrings for Christmas, both a card of 9 stud earrings for when the ear heals, and a pair of cute danglies or hoops for the original piercing.

Both girls were real troopers and Candice didn't come close to fainting like she did the last time. Two ladies pierced their ears simultaneously so they wouldn't have to dread the second stab. The girls were excited and pleased with the final result. I have them each a spray bottle to use with their solution. I found it works best that way.

I told the lady in charge that I have three more granddaughters so I might be back someday. She asked their ages and when I told her 1, 2, and 3, she said this was the best age, less traumatic. I informed her that my daughters will wait until the girls are older and able to care for their ears and make the decision to pierce.

The girls chose Chik-Fil-A for dinner and we visited over our sandwiches. As we were leaving the parking lot we could see the Chik-Fil-A cow inside with his sandwich sign asking people to eat more chicken. Oh! I wish I'd gone back inside with the camera. The girls would have looked adorable with the cow on the blog. Every situation is a blog consideration.

What a fun night with our beautiful girls!

Soccer And Family Day

Robin and I headed out this morning to watch Camryn and her team play soccer. Camryn is a freshman this year and enjoying her first year in high school. She's also very active and joining the soccer team is one of her many activities.

Allison, Jude and Sophia showed up too, and Thomas and Jude were excited to see each other. We had a great time cheering on Camryn and her team and the weather was warm, but not unbearably hot. Camryn's team lost, but they played a good game. I've always believed that teammanship and enjoying the game is more important than winning. It's the actual playing and interacting with other people that is so much fun.

After the game, Allison's family and Robin and I met at a restaurant for Mexican food. Baylee had stayed home with Brian since she's still recovering from having her tonsils removed, but they joined us for lunch. It was good seeing Baylee's appetite, although it's not totally back to normal. I made up for it.

Outside the restaurant are a mechanical horse, horse and buggy, and a train. The three kids had fun on those. Yes, even Sophia got to ride and rewarded us with a smile. Sadly, the camera was in the car and forgotten about as we got caught up in the moment.

Overly full and satisfied, we all headed home. Robin and I had plans to take a good nap in a cool room, while Allison lamented that they would not be able to take one. Oh, I remember the days of having three little ones.

By the way, Allison, I awoke around 6:45 this evening. Sorry.

Happy Birthday, Camryn!

Happy birthday, Camryn,

You're someone I adore.

And with each passing birthday,

I grow to love you more.

Today you're "Darling Fourteen",

Oh, how time has flown!

Our precious baby girl

Before our eyes have grown.

You have such a tender heart,

And there's beauty in your smile.

Your character is genuine.

Only goodness, nothing vile.

You apply yourself at school

And make us all feel proud.

You bring a ray of sunshine

Where before were only clouds.

You have learned that beauty

Is inside as well as out.

Sincerity and gentleness

Are what Camryn's all about.

Happy birthday, Sweetheart,

Enjoy your special day.

And know that you are loved

Even more than I can say.

July 8, 2007, By Memaw

A Date With Camryn

As our custom is, Camryn and I shopped this afternoon for her upcoming birthday. We went to Northeast Mall to visit some specialty stores that she likes. She found a cute top, but didn't model it for me in the store since my camera bag was slung over my shoulder. I bought the top and told her grandmas are supposed to embarrass.

Next, she wanted to browse Victoria's Secret. Yep, I have a granddaughter - two, in fact - old enough to suggest a trip to VS. She picked out two tubes of lip gloss in yummy flavors. When we got in the car, she immediately applied bubble gum lip gloss.

We left the mall and went to splurge at Chili's. We ordered chips and queso, burgers and fries. As a special birthday treat, Camryn had a chocolate shake to go. Robin had told her over the phone not to belch in the restaurant and I'm proud to say that Camryn acted like the lady she is.

Camryn was sporting a brand new Coach purse, compliments of her Mom and Dad for her 14th birthday. Weekend plans include a gathering of friends to stay at the Gaylord Texan. Once she's back home on Sunday, I will take her the traditional homemade chocolate ice cream that I always make for their birthdays.

I always have such a good time on these outings with the grandchildren. Spending quality time with each one is a blessing. And I love my part in making their birthdays special. Camryn is a joy and a beautiful girl, inside and out. She's looking forward to entering high school the end of August. Our pretty little girl is growing up. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon, Camryn. I love you dearly.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

I'll tell you what's wrong with it. Those two beauties are my granddaughters! When did they get this grown up? How old does it make me? I'm not supposed to have grandchildren this old. Wow! Aren't they gorgeous???

Handsome Ron and Family

Candy Girl

Here's Candice, my 15-year-old granddaughter. I'd taken her and Camryn, 13, to have their ears pierced in July and here Candice is showing off some of the cute earrings we bought. Isn't she beautiful??? I'll make sure Camryn sends me pictures of her modeling her jewels to post on the blog.