December 10/2016

Started out our morning bright and early. Jamie and I do something very special for our grandkids every year ( and a few other very special children in out lives).  We have a tradition that my Mom did. One  that she got from a neighbour of our family and very good friend of our family too . Doris Mabbutt. 

My mom took our kids to Toys R Us every year sometime in December and let them pick out a Christmas gift from her and Papa. My sisters and I also came with the kids but we got no say. Mom would let them shop and shop and look around trying to decide how to spend there money.  She was so patient and so loving. Then we all went and got a picture with Santa, and had lunch. It was such a special day for our kids. Although my Mom died way to young all her grandkids remember this special tradition and still talk about how fun it was. All because of an idea that Doris Mabbutt gave my Mom because you see she did this idea first. Thanks Doris ❤️

So about 4 years ago Jamie and I decided to do this with our grandkids too. Our family has grown over that last few years and we have included our great niece and Mac’s girlfriends kids too. So off we go this morning to Toys R Us. The excitement in all the kids  eyes when they walk in the door just makes you know this is such a great idea. They shop and browse and negotiate with what to get what to put back, be a use they found something better. What is popular this year and what the other kids are getting. We let the parents come as Mom did. But the rules are they don’t have any say. ( except to stop the kids from buying something Santa has already got. That’s why we take them). Papa (Jamie) and Mama (me) decide how much they get and they get pretty much what they pick out. It is so much fun. And in the end my shopping is all done b🎄🎅🏻.. 

This year we got dolls, hockey cards, Nintendo games, trolls, jewellery the works. Then we all went to McDonalds for lunch. That is even more crazy then the Toys R Us shopping. Lol the kids all sat at a tables and visited and played and ate their lunches it was so nice to have them all together and all getting along. 

We spent a couple hours at my sons house with all the kids going through all their treasures and playing with all their new toys and stuff. Then this afternoon we had a birthday party for my mother in-law who turned 80. ( she probably wouldn’t want me putting that on here ) Again we all go out and have a beautiful dinner and birthday cake and singing and candles. Finally tonight I had a very special friend come over and in her very busy life she took time to do some Christmas cooking for me. I can’t say how much I appreciate her doing this for me and for my family as we eat her cabbage rolls with our Christmas dinner this year, thanks Brenda. 😘

Then tonight as Jamie and I sit here relaxing and watching TV I think how luck I am for my family and friends.  And today if only just for today I put my cancer on the back burner and I had a great day. Tomorrow I will go back to the real world. 

Beth 😇