Is "Make Way for Ducklings" Outdated?

Being a grandmother and a woman with white hair, I am feeling like I am in the "older generation," especially when my granddaughter doesn't like one of my favorite picture books Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Granted, it was published in 1944--six years even before I was born, but I have always loved Roert McCloskey's books and pen-and-ink drawings.

I have saved a new hardback edition of Make Way for Ducklings for my grandchildren for some years. The last time we visited in Austin, I showed it to my 4 year old granddaughter Avery and asked if she was "old" enough for it, and she told me, "NO." Then a few nights ago, while they were staying at a beach house nearby, I brought it again and asked if she would like me to read it to her. Avery said she was "supposed to be 5," which may have been the obstacle, and I did not realize it. 

But I insisted upon reading it, because I am an excellent reader of children's books, (falsely) thinking that I could prompt Avery to like the book with me reading it to her. She sat with me for the entire reading of this long book, but did not seem to like the book. That disappointed me.

Unfortunately, I plunged myself into black-and-white thinking: she won't ever like McCloskey's books, and there are so many more: Blueberries for Sal and One Morning in Maine. Pen and Ink drawings are not as inviting as contemporary book illustrators? (What about FERDINAND??)

But it is time for honesty. That was too much about me and not Avery. I want to share the books I love, but maybe they are not for her. . . .or maybe some other time. I want my grandchildren to enjoy books and Avery and Emma do. That is the most important thing of all.

I am so excited!

I am excited because I get to spend the next week in Austin, helping with my new baby granddaughter, Emma. I hope I'll be able to hold her frequently and often.

Plus, I want to help Momma AA and Daddy DC in any ways they would like. There may even be some fun time with Avery, the new big sister.

I'll be going to Austin on Sunday after church, leaving Chuck behind.

We have a new hybrid car, which has bluetooth capabilities, so I could talk to friends while I drive. That looks like it will be fun, too.

I feel so lucky that it is my turn to go and help!

My son posted a picture of baby Emma with their dog Sampson tonight:

 

Sweet

Avery holding baby sister Emma, almost 3 days old

Two Visits to Austin in October

October 6, 2012 Grandpa and Avery

 Here is a picture of Grandpa Chuck playing with Avery at a park near her house in Austin three weeks ago.

In three weeks, we noticed Avery talking with multiple words and using more words. Her verbal skills are blooming, and she won't be 2 years old until Thanksgiving.

Her parents like to do things with her on the weekends, because she is in school all week while DC and AA are at work. As a mother and grandmother, I really like to watch AA and DC parent Avery.

October 29, 2012 Avery

 This week our daughters from Seattle AE and KA are visiting in Austin, which is why we drove to Austin this past weekend.

Yesterday Avery's parents, oldest son DC and his wife AA, took us all to a pumpkin patch on a farm in Marble Falls, TX. There were all kinds of pumpkins around, with activities, such as this tractor to ride on; bouncing on bouncy "berry fields" (which scared Avery); and painting pumpkins.

Chuck with DC and Avery before her bedtime.

Although our two youngest (of four) children could not join us in Austin, we really enjoyed being with our oldest children and their beloved partners--with Avery! Avery is the star whenever we are all together.

Before we left Austin today, Chuck and I met DC and Avery at her school. I was glad to see where she goes, as I have been impressed with all I have heard about its modes of operation.

Avery Today!

Avery. Sept. 5, 2012

Nana

I liked this on pinterest because "Nana" is the name I chose to be called by my granddaughter Avery. It's interesting that in my experience mothers seem to prefer to choose their "grandmother names," but dads do not care so much.

In my immediate family, my mother chose to be called "Grannie" because she had fond memories of that particular grandmother. I wanted to be "Nana" because of the connection to my mother's mother, who was always "Nana" to me. Although the reason she was called "Nana" was more mundane, as my much older cousin George (her first grandchild)  mispronounced "Grandma" and so she became  "Nana."

Avery's other grandmother chose to be called "Mimi," so the grandmothers have gotten their choices. Not sure what the grandpas will turn out to be called, but Avery will figure it out.

Avery and Nana in Friday Harbor, WA

Baby Visit

Avery, 3 months old

We are going to visit Avery and her parents this weekend! CB and I are very excited. A friend is staying with our three dogs, so they will not notice our absence. Holding our grandbaby will erase all thoughts of our pets left behind.

Little Avery

Avery holding MJ's finger
Nov. 24, 2010
Avery is 2 days old.

My future grandchild

Daughter-in-law AA is 15 weeks pregnant, and the baby is the size of an apple--4 inches long and about 2 1/2 ounces. (This would be a Weight Watchers-sized apple, not a huge Granny Smith!) Blessings on moms-to-be and their growing babies.

Dog Pictures

Sampson, AA, and DC

This is the only picture I took of the three of them while they visited last weekend.

Today AA announced on Facebook that she and DC are having a baby in November! At a doctor's appointment today, they heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time.

Maisie and Baillie

CB petting Cisco while Maisie and Baillie keep on tugging on the rope.

Since this picture, CB cut off the green handle, because Maisie kept gnawing on it, breaking little pieces of green plastic off. However, it is now put away--as Maisie kept chewing on the remaining glue.

Jan's jottings

I have had the longest blogging break since I started this blog in 2007 by going to and returning from New Mexico. I have lots to tell you about, but still have not labeled my pictures. And I seem to be rushing around, getting back into the rhythm of life at home.

• My grandchild is now the size of a kumquat. In the past few weeks she/he has been the size of a blueberry, a kidney bean, and a grape. These images help as I pray everyday for this living being within AA. The next doctor's appointment is in one week--when DC and AA are hoping to hear the heartbeat of their future child.
  

• Nancy has given me permission to use her name instead of merely the initials of "NKE." I appreciate that since we have been friends for the past 49 years! (Isn't that a shocking figure for you younger readers??)

• While in New Mexico, Nancy was seeking mountain lion fetishes. Looking with her, I became interested, too, and found that I love the corn maidens. I seem to be collecting them now, as you can see from the picture below:

• I have four corn maidens, plus a storyteller and an Acoma Pueblo pot. I was told that the tallest corn lady is "very Zuni." The coyote was bought from a young man outside a trading post and may be a belated 25th birthday present for son BJ.
  

• I was told that the Corn Maiden represents a good life and happy future. Cornmaiden emerged with the Zuni from the Underworld and assures her people of a plentiful harvest. The story of the Corn Maidens ends like this:

"Ever since these days, the beautiful corn maidens have dwelt in the Land of Everlasting Summer. This we know. For does not their sweet-smelling breath come from that flowery country, bringing life to their children, the corn-plants? It is the south wind which we feel in spring-time."

• "In the Pueblo Indian culture, corn is to the people the very symbol of life. The Corn Maiden brought this gift. The Corn Maiden brings the power of life to the people. As the corn is given life by the sun, the Corn Maiden brings the fire of the sun into the human bodies, making them as the creator designed them to be. The Great Spirit has given man many representations of His love and power through nature. The Corn Maidens are said to have been created by the Great Spirit in the palm of his right hand. Each Maiden brings one seed of corn that is nurtured with love like that given to a child, that this one seed would sustain the entire tribe forever. With love and strength from the tribe, the tiny seeds mature and grow tall and strong, soon offering mature ears of corn for an abundance of crops for the people. The spirit of the Corn Maidens is forever present with the tribal people. The Corn maiden is the ' Grandmother of the Sun and The Grandmother of the Light'." (From here.)

Baby on the way!

Oldest son DC and wife AA are having their first baby in November!

CB and I are excited about becoming grandparents.