Dec. 20, 2005 - Grandpa Carlson Is HERE!

Dad showed up early yesterday. I wasn't really expecting him until lunch or later, and he was here by 9:30-10! Wow.

The kids and I love listening to him talk. He's one of those people, that it seems no matter what he's talking baout, he has you laughing so hard you're near tears the entire time. Sprite kept saying, "Talk about something... anything, just keep talking!"

He is all gruff and grouchy sounding, but he starts coming across as a big softy really quick ~ especially with the little kids. Abyni just has him wrapped around her finger already.

Yesterday he taught the boys some sort of poker/5 card draw/something or another ~ (which they are told they can only play WITH grandpa) and the whole time slipping in "talks" about not being careless with your money, not getting too big of a head thinking you're "all that" (as Kainan tends to be really bad at!) and whatnot.

Then he helped (and by "help" I mean, did most of the work) put Abyni's bunk up, we carried up all the stuff for the boys' new bunks and actually got a lot done.

The kids opened their Grandpa Carlson gifts last night. The girls got a CD player/boom box, and the other kids got a DVD player (for the living room actually, but now they'll have one to use!) and Season 1 of The Cosby Show & a "boy" DVD ~ some Christian boy-centric-cartoon-tv-type-episode.

Anyway, right now he's at the store with the girls, they are finishing up their Mommy Daddy shopping, and he is picking up some more screws to put the boys bunks up today! Yay! Their room is going to be SOOOOOO cool!!! We're doing a jungle theme, and their bunks are going to be partially hanging from the ceiling (braced against the wall) and the other corners comer together, where they'll be supported by 2X4s... but then we're covering that part with chicken wire and paper mache to make ti look like a tree ~ so their bunks will look as though they're built up in the trees:)

When Mom comes, we'll paint their walls and part of the ceilings so it looks more "authentic" I can't wait!!!