I had a FaceTime call a few minutes ago. It was the little girl, her baby sister, her mom (Katie McCormick), and her cousin, Kenna, calling to wish me a happy birthday. It was so nice to see and hear from all of them. Warmed my (crazy, sentimental) little heart. They truly make me feel special. I love all of them to the moon and back. Thanks, Katie for dialing my number for Lailah. … [Read more...]

Just might have to do this with the little girl. Not sure about her drawing abilities at age six, maybe I should wait until age eight or so? https://www.facebook.com/WatchCut/videos/824066267756262/ … [Read more...]

Spent the afternoon and evening with the little girl and her baby sister yesterday (along with GranMaRose). Drove up to Orchestra Hall (big mistake, due to 35w construction Downtown) to hear some international music. We listened to two different groups outside, near the WCCO studio park/garden. One group played African drums, the other group sang with guitars, etc. After a couple of hours, we all … [Read more...]

One present of the several I bought for Lailah this Christmas that i didn't wrap (since I obviously had bought too many), was Mouse Trap. I set it up today (for the next time she's over baby sitting me), and while it seemed similar to what I grew up with, it was different. So, I did some of my usual Wikipedia research, and found a pic of the '60s game which then led me to another game I played … [Read more...]

Jordan and Katie (Lailah's mom & dad) drive over to the house this morning to pick something up for her. Jordan comes into the house, leaving the two girls (mom & daughter) in their running car, keeping themselves warm. It's just too cold for them to go through the effort of unbuckling her, walking to the front door, just to walk out again with the thing they were picking up. Made perfect … [Read more...]

A lot of you have seen my various videos of Lailah, mostly in the breakfast nook, but sometimes in the living room. During those LR videos, I've tried not to show the area where all of her toys are kept. It's under a 3' by 6' table where on top, I've kept the beginnings of my model railroad "layout". (The model railroad has its own story and that's not the purpose of this essay (other than to … [Read more...]

BEST. PRESENTS. EVER. Here I am, having just unwrapped both of my b-day presents from Lailah. The first was a set of new play-doh colors (sparkled, of course). The second was a play-doh toy that makes play-doh ice cream cones. Both presents were very well received by the big guy, since he had scoped them out at the toy store one day with Lailah in tow. Lailah obviously cared enough to "insist" … [Read more...]

I bought a new doll for Lailah a month or so ago. Gave it to her when she was here, a couple of times ago. She immediately tells me "...She's 'creepy', GranPa..." I ask her what she means, thinking it's because of the thing sticking out the doll's head. "No, GranPa, her glasses are creepy!" And, asks me "...can we get rid of her glasses?..." Yup, of course. They were attached with small permanent … [Read more...]