Monday Night Football - Kansas City vs New England

Michael really likes his job at Harrah's especially when he's the VIP host selected to take a group of rowdy gamblers to the Chiefs game.

The pre-game show started with an enormous American flag spread across the football field. Not only did the flag cover the entire field but the people holding the flag made it wave. It was a spectacular moment.

Michael spent his time between his stadium seat and his guests in one of the Chiefs suites. How he got a couple of Chiefs cheerleaders to pose for a picture is beyond me but Michael can usually talk anyone into doing something for him.

He even found KC Wolf and had another memorable photo opportunity. I'm scheduled to go the game on October 26. Hopefully Michael will get another chance to go to a game. By the way, the Chiefs crushed New England 41-14! GO CHIEFS!!!!!

Oktoberfest in Lee's Summit

Yesterday I went with Melissa and Violet to Lee's Summit's version of Oktoberfest - more like an extremely small Santa-Cali-Gon Days.

We started off in front of the fire station where Jamie used to work. Firefighters are such friendly people. They had a vintage fire truck in front of the station just for show but because Jamie is a former Lee's Summit firefighter they broke the rules and allowed Violet to sit in it. I told one of the firefighters that if Violet broke anything I'd send Jamie over to fix it.

While we waiting for Melissa's friend's son to finish his art project on a t-shirt, Violet explored the steps of a vacant building. She has this fascination with steps. Then it was on to the hotdog stand where I broke my diet and had a hotdog which I've been craving.

Violet was in one of her moods where nothing could make her smile. Even her favorite, a balloon, wouldn't do the trick. I only stayed for an hour and a half but that was plenty of time to explore the few crafts on display. I guess I can check Lee's Summit's Oktoberfest off my bucket list.

Another Babysitting Gig

It doesn't happen very often but Jamie and Melissa found their schedules overlapping today and needed a babysitter. So who do they call? It always makes me a little nervous babysitting Violet because she's just not used to Melissa not being there. When I arrived Violet was still napping so Melissa could slip away without any drama. My heart skipped a beat 30 minutes later when Violet woke up crying for her Mom. I crept upstairs and the crying only got louder. But I was amazed that Violet calmed down pretty quickly.

I fed her the lunch Melissa had prepared and then it was playtime...and playtime...and more playtime. I was running out of ideas to keep Violet occupied. I even think at one point she was getting rather bored. And Khloe and Lola were no help at all. But Violet can keep herself entertained as long as you clap along every once in awhile. I enjoyed spending time with her.

And I couldn't go over empty handed. Poor Violet is growing so fast that she constantly needs clothes. So I got her some new pajamas with her favorite Minnie Mouse and one especially for Melissa and Jamie - "Up All Night". Let's hope the extra snacks I gave Violet doesn't keep her up all night.

Falling Behind on Blog Posts

One thing about maintaining a blog is if you don't keep up with it you fall way behind. When Violet gets old enough to read this, she's going to wonder what happened in the past 2 weeks.

September 8, 2014 - Violet Get a New Blanket

Violet has been dragging the same blanket around since she was born. I've mentioned before how she has a little of the Linus personality (from the Snoopy cartoon) in her. She won't go anywhere without that blanket. And you really don't want to be around when you do go somewhere and Melissa forgot the blanket at home.

So I decided to make her a new one that is a little bigger and not so dingy. Melissa originally asked that I make one exactly the same. But in the past 30 years I've never made the same blanket twice. So I stuck with Melissa's favorite chevron design and Violet's signature colors. But there's no fooling Violet. Melissa has to sneak the blanket into the washing machine but Violet stands by the dryer door waiting for her blankey to get dry.

September 13, 2014 - Casino Trip - Laughlin, NV

I recently took a trip - courtesy of Harrah's - to Laughlin, NV with my friend Sonia. I was a little confused at first about the time difference when you factor in daylight savings time. We land in Bullhead City, AZ which is just across the river from Laughlin, NV. Now Arizona doesn't participate in daylight savings and I was wondering exactly when our plane would land - Nevada time or Arizona time. But I've done some research and actually Arizona is in Mountain Standard Time while Nevada is in Pacific Standard Time so their times right now are the same. It really didn't matter anyway since Laughlin is a mini Vegas and no one really cares what time it is anyway. Laughlin has very few residents. It only has a few RV parks, an outlet mall and about 10 casinos running up and down the Colorado River.

The most popular mode of transportation is the water taxis that stop at all the casinos on the river. This is the duck that hopped a ride with us. Our driver told us he was looking for bread crumbs and if he can't get any he'll nip at the driver's legs. After we stopped at a casino to let people off I saw the duck literally go flying off the boat. The driver had kicked him off because he was biting his legs. The duck didn't seem too concerned. He just swam off to the dock probably to hop a ride on the next taxi.

September 14, 2014 - Violet's Backyard Snack

Violet really enjoys her new backyard.

She takes every opportunity she has to go exploring. She especially likes to stand at the fence and watch her neighbors swimming in their pool secretly hoping they'll invite her to come swim.

She also likes to run around without her shoes on. Looks like she's practicing for her future acrobat and cheerleading days.

But she really enjoys sitting on the patio and having her snack. That is until Lola sneaks up and grabs it while she's not looking. She's on a mission her to find Lola and get that snack back.

September 15, 2014 - Violet Goes to the Zoo

Melissa and Jamie took Violet to the Kansas City Zoo.

The merry go round was not her favorite ride but it was free. Melissa got a good workout on her calves standing on tip toes every time the horse went up and down.

As the carousel went around Violet was okay when she saw her Daddy but a little concerned when he went out of sight.

Then it was on to feeding the goats.

I think Jamie continually held her hand so Violet wouldn't eat the goat snacks.

September 16, 2014 - Jamie is Sworn in at CJC

Jamie recently switched from Lee's Summit Fire Department to Central Jackson County (CJC or Blue Springs) Fire Department.

His induction ceremony was during the time I was in Laughlin so I missed it. Melissa says they are constantly running calls and he doesn't have near the down time he had at Lee's Summit. I think he used to escape to the fire department in order to get some rest. He's now paying for it with late night calls. When I helped them move I was organizing their closet and noticed Jamie had about 50 Lee's Summit Fire Department t-shirts. And he doesn't have to give them back. Anyone wanting a t-shirt should contact Jamie.

But Violet wasn't going to be out done. She takes every opportunity she can to steal the show and upstage even her Daddy with his fire hat.

September 17, 2014 - Violet Fills Her Daddy's Shoes

A few weeks ago I posted a video of Violet walking in Melissa's flip flops. Now she's tackling an even bigger task and walking in Jamie's shoes.

I especially love the part at the end when she kicks off the shoes and falls down. Not that I like to see her fall but it is kind of funny.

September 18, 2014 - Violet's Half Birthday

I can't believe Violet is already a year and a half. She's growing so fast and is actually starting to say things that even I can understand. We'll be driving down the hiway and she'll see a truck and say "truck". One of my favorites is when we turn into my subdivision and she'll immediately start looking for the geese and she says "geese". If you ask her a question she'll either respond with "yes" or "no". It's really fun watching her grow up.

But she's also at the age where if she doesn't want her picture taken she absolutely will not smile. This was one of those days.

September 20, 2014 - The Taylors Go to the Car Show

Since Jamie and Melissa moved out I feel as though my social life has gone downhill. They no longer invite me to places they go. Now that isn't really fair to say. Melissa just feels as though I don't want to go. But she could at least ask me! It's pretty sad when your social life depends on your children. I need a life.

So they headed off to Wellsville, KS for one of the last car shows of the summer.

I'm not sure where Violet was in this picture.

She probably drove off in one of the cars. Not much difference between her and Bonnie from "Bonnie and Clyde".

September 21, 2014 - Free Buffet at Harrah's

I recently participated in a Monopoly game at Harrah's and won a free buffet. Since the coupon was just about to expire, Melissa, Violet and I headed to Harrah's to have dinner with Michael.

The cook was looking out the window of the kitchen and Violet started waving to him. He brought her a cake pop because he thought she was so cute. It's probably a little early for Violet to learn just what a smile and a wave from a pretty girl can get you!

September 22, 2014 - Violet Goes for a Swing

I'm not even sure where this was taken or what day it was taken, but Jamie sent me this picture of Violet having a ball in this swing.

When I first saw the picture I wasn't sure if it was a swing or if Violet was bunge jumping. I wouldn't put it past her. Now that I look at it closer I think it was the day of the car show.

Well that's the end of the updates. Hopefully I can get back on track and keep my blog updated. That is if I can remember to take pictures. You would think after doing this for almost 2 years I would remember that part.

National Grandparent's Day

As if there aren't enough holidays to celebrate, now we add in National Grandparent's Day. This holiday kind of reminds me of Administrative Assistant Day (formerly Secretary's Day). Unless you're constantly running around a Hallmark store you don't even know the holiday exists.

Yesterday Melissa and Violet came by to bring me this beautiful hand - and I do mean Violet's hand - painted pot with a violet mum. Handmade gifts are the best type of gift to receive. They mark a special time in life. Hint to Violet - I have a bare wall in the hallway that needs something extra special!