Marleewood Has A Lost And Found Department

Marlee and Grandma B were tired tired tired today. Whew, it has been busy at Marleewood. The Valentines Day party was huge! So many people came and had such fun. There were games, and lots of laughter. There was even a video that was a Valentines Day song. However, every time you have a party, what do you have when the party is over? A mess that's what you have. This time it was a differrent kind of mess. People were good about cleaning up and stacking chairs before they left, but there were still things to do to get the place back in order again. It's so funny when you think about it. People clean before a party then have to clean after the party is over. Marlee and Grandma B just went home yesterday without doing any cleaning so today they had to work.

They went from room to room and kept picking things up that had been left there from people that had either done some shopping in the Holiday Shop or just for visiting. Marlee kept coming to Grandma B with hats, and mittens. She even found some toys that people had left there. Because Marlee is only two (2) years old she had a tendency to stop and play with some of the things that she found. She found a doll on the kitchen floor that looks suspiciously like hers. Hmm..


There were boots and scarves and a lot of "you name its!" (Big grin) Grandma B told Marlee that there was a hall closet that wasn't being used so she was going to start a Lost and Found Closet for people to look through if they thought they might have left things there. She had some leftover clothespins from the game they played yesterday so she used those to hang up some mittens. Goodness sake's there were even boots left in the Community Room. Wouldn't you think that people would remember to wear them home? Oh well, they would save them for awhile. If no one came to get them they would donate them to people that needed them. Marlee and Grandma B and Grandma Lu did that at Christmas time too.

There was even a picture of a little girl and a chicken in the room that is used for both the Holiday Shop and the Photo Studio. Someone must have loved that picture because the name, Tanya was written on the back of it. Marlee looked and looked at it. She thought it was so cool. Then Marlee started thinking. Now you know every single time that Marlee starts to think really hard about something another adventure is about to happen.
What in the world would give Marlee an idea for an adventure just by looking at an old picture of a girl and a chicken?
We probably will find out on Monday what she has dreamed up this time. See you soon!

Marleewood Has An Old Fashioned Valentines Day Party

Even though there was going to be a party at Marleewood today the housework still had to be done at Grandma B's house before they could go. Yesterday Marlee and Grandma B made some Valentines cupcakes. They turned out so cute. Marlee helped put the sprinkles on them and before you knew it, there was some sampling going on! Oh, Marlee. Those cupcakes are supposed to be for the party today. (I don't blame her a bit, do you?)

 So they had cleaned the kitchen last night, but this morning the dusting and vacuuming had to be done. Grandma B has taught Marlee well. She says that work is first, then we can play and have fun.
 Marlee asked if she could try using the big vacuum today. Well, it took some doing, but she got the hang of it after working at it for awhile. It was taller than she was, wasn't it?
Soon it was time to get the cupcakes all loaded up in the car. When they got to Marleewood they could see that people had gotten here before they did. There were several cars out in the parking lot. Marlee was so excited. They were going to have so  much fun.
The grandparents and the moms and dads and aunts and uncles were getting their coats and hats all hung up and things put in the kitchens for the party. Marlee was a little bit worried because she didn't see Mrs. Liz and her children anywhere yet. What she did see were people getting chairs lined up in the Community Room. Someone draped a beautiful Valentines quilt on Grandma Lu's easy chair. Oh how beautiful. A big thank you to Kathie. She makes such beautiful quilts. They make folks so happy.

She also saw one mama put a video in the big television in there too, but she didn't turn it on. Remember Marlee is only two (2) years old. She hasn't been to a Valentines Day Party before especially not one like Grandma Lu planned for today's party.
What Marlee didn't know was that Mrs. Liz and her children had come in the kitchen door with a big blue cooler full of the dessert Bella was talking about.
Let's see what else is happening.

Soon Marleewood was full of people. Old people and young people were laughing and hugging. There were even some blowing kisses and giggling. Oh, those little girls were at it again.
Soon Grandma Lu clapped her hands. She said it was time to play a game. It was a game that she had played when she was little. She said that she had taught her children how to play it too. She asked everyone to get out the clothespins that she had asked for folks to bring with them. Then she told them to get on their knees on the chairs. She then put jars on the floor in front of the chairs. She said, "Okay, now see if you can drop the clothespins in the jar. Now you can't stoop over and put them in. You have to keep your hands up by the edge of the chair and let loose and see where it lands!  The winner gets the first dessert of your choice. Oh my goodness there was such hooting and hollering and complaining and laughing. She finally declared Orion's grandpa as the winner with Grandpa Fran a close second place.

 That was such a fun game and you know what? Not a single person was looking at their cellphones or tablets....
Grandma B said, "Okay, it is time for you all to get your desserts then you can all sit and watch a video that one of the moms brought for you to watch.
Everyone went to the kitchen for their dessert. Oh my. There was a tray of cookies, and trays of cupcakes, and Bella and her brother were helping serve up SNOW CREAM!! Yes, remember when Marlee and her friends got snowed in at their house? Well, after everyone left, Mrs. Liz made her children some snow cream. It was so good that Bella asked her mama if they could bring some to the party. Mrs. Liz said sure as long as there was still snow on the ground. It took a whole cooler of snow to make enough for the party. Everybody oohed and awed over such a wonderful treat.
Soon everyone had their treats and drinks and filed back into the Community Room. Marlee asked if she could give her mom and dad their Valentine that she had made them before the video started. She and Grandma B had made them such a pretty card, hadn't they?
There is Bella and her brother eating snow cream in the kitchen. They just couldn't wait could they?
I hope you enjoyed the old fashioned Valentines Day Party at Marleewood.
The video is a song that Marlee could sing.  Sing along and have a fun time too. There is a problem with this song though. It gets stuck in your head and you want to sing it all day.
Happy Valentines Day everyone.

Marleewood Is Such A Happy Place

It was the day before the Valentines Day party and Marleewood was in a total mess! Charlie was selling things left and right in the Holiday Shop almost everything was gone already. She had ordered flowers, and candy and teddy bears and even some balloons.
Charlie had done a really good job, but today she and Marlee and Emma were all in a dither about their hair and their makeup being just right. Charlie had a new outfit that everyone just loved.
 The grandmas however, were busy on the phone and in the Daycare watching children and trying to help customers as well.
Food was going to be different for this party. Folks were bringing their own treats. Some of the cookies and cupcakes were homemade, but some folks just didn't have time to bake so they were going to buy some things at the local grocery store. They taste good too, don't they? But everyone was especially curious about the dessert that Bella was bringing. Only Grandma Lu knew what it was.
Grandma Lu had put herself in charge of games for this party. She sometimes got sad watching all the children playing with their tablets and phones watching video games. She could remember how much fun she had with her family and her friends playing games. There was one game she  had decided that they would play at the party tomorrow. Grandma Lu thought that children needed to know how to have a good time without television and computers and cell phones.

Grandma B thought it sounded like fun too. So everyone that they invited were told to bring clothespins. What in the world was Grandma Lu up to now?
Finally Grandma Lu had to sit down with a cup of coffee and rest for awhile. Boy getting ready for a party was a lot of work, that's for sure.
Marlee and some of her friends thought that Grandma Lu was going to tell a story because she was sitting in her easy chair. But much to their disappointment Grandma Lu said, she didn't have a Valentines Day story. They couldn't believe it. Grandma Lu always had a story. One of the children said, "Grandma Lu, how come we have Valentines Parties?" Well, Grandma Lu had to think a little bit. She tilted her head to one side when she was thinking, just like her daddy used to do. She had to smile when she thought about him. He was a really good story teller too.



 Finally she said, "Well, once upon a time hundreds of years ago there was a man named Valentine that was in jail because he didn't follow the rules of his country.
His country was clear across the ocean. Remember that big water we talked about? He was like our ministers in our churches.  He married people that were in love just like they do nowadays. Well, he got put in jail for doing that. One day he got to thinking about a girl that he was in love with. Actually she was his jailer's daughter. He sent her a love letter and signed it, "From your Valentine." That's how it started say some folks. There are lots and lots of stories about how Valentines Day started, but this is what I know. I know that when I get a hug, I hug people back. A hug makes me feel so happy and loved. Well that's it kids. Valentines Day is all about love. How many of you love your mama and daddy? How many of you love your grandparents and aunts and uncles and friends?"All of the children raised their hands, and said, "Yes, I do, I do!" And then the giggling started.
 Marlee said, "My daddy kisses my mama and me all the time." Charlie said, "I get hugs and kisses all the time too."
On it went with everyone laughing and giggling about hugs and kisses.
"What about those Valentines cards with hearts on them?" someone asked.
Well about that time Grandma Lu said, "I think that when you love someone you love with your heart. (Grandma Lu put her hand on her chest where her heart was.) A heart is a sign of love so it is on cards, and balloons, and candy and all kinds of things. Does that make any sense to you?" The children giggled again because Grandma Lu had hearts on her shirt today. She is so funny.
The story was over so the kids were on their way to do
other things. Some were even finishing up making Valentines for those people that they loved.
All of a sudden Charlie yelled out, "I just sold the last bouquet of flowers and the last box of candy. The Holiday Shop is closed again."
Everybody clapped their hands and danced around the room. What a happy place Marleewood is.
See you tomorrow for the party!

Stashia Is Having A Pity Party

Things at the Mini Farm were changing by the minute it seemed like to Stashia, Grandma B's wrinkled dog. You remember her, don't you? She is the wonderful dog that got lost in the snow storm trying to rescue Marlee.
"Yes, I thought I was Marlee's best friend, but you would never know it the way things are going around here lately. First thing you know, Marlee's mama and daddy bring a new baby here. Yeah, a brand new baby. Well, she doesn't get into things like Marlee used to, but oh my goodness she puts up a fuss. She cries, and then someone picks her up and talks baby talk to her and walks around and pats her and completely ignores me."
"Then the other day, you just wouldn't believe it. Grandma B brought home two (2) kittens. She should have known better. She has a cat already. He's not a nice cat at all. His name is Spaz. She's so mean there is only one (1) picture of her. Yup. At least Grandma B takes a lot of pictures of me. I wonder, though, if she only takes pictures of me because Marlee is always in my way. She takes a lot of pictures of her. I think she likes her best. I don't think that is right. I was here first."
"One time I considered running away from home, but Marlee, who says she is my best friend, talked me out of it. I just don't know if I can take it much longer."
Grandma B even has Marlee's Papa take a picture of her loving on those silly kittens. Oh and get this, they have names now. One is Sybil and the other one is Sadie. " 
"Aren't they just adorable?" That's what Grandma B says to every single person that comes in the house. "She has taken a zillion pictures of those cats.
The other day she went to town and came home with this monstrosity of a thing for them to play on.  She calls it a "Cat Tree."
Well she never has bought me any toy that big, that's for sure. I'm lucky if I even get my treats she is so busy with those kittens."
"I was watching television the other day. They say that I could be jealous of those kittens because I don't get all of the attention any more. Well, that's just not true. I don't get ANY attention any more." "Let's count who gets Grandma B's attention. #1. Her family including Marlee and a whole bunch more people. #2. All of her friends. I mean she has a bunch of friends. I know because she is on the phone talking to them or visiting up town with them. And a lot of her friends come out here. They even get cinnamon rolls. Yup! They sure do. #3. Outside animals. Those horses and donkeys are always needing food and hay. #4. The new kittens. #5. Finally me, oh no, I forgot Zoe. She is up there on the list somewhere. #6. Even the wild birds get more attention than me. Grandma B says, "Marlee just loves to feed the birds."  I sure wish I had more than one (1) friend because it's hard to share."
Stashia overheard Grandma B talking about the Valentines Day party they were going to have at Marleewood. She had an idea. Oh dear, Stashia, I don't think that will do it. You just can't send the kittens to Marleewood in Grandma B's purse. Oh,  good, Marlee came to the rescue!
Stashia, I have some advice for you. If you have just one (1) really good friend that's really all you need. More friends are fine, but Stashia, you need to share Marlee and Grandma B. When the newness wears off the baby kittens, you will be right back to Marlee's best friend again.  I also need to remind you that when Whitlee Jo gets older she will be in your snacks just like Marlee was. Just wait, Whitlee will be your friend too when she gets older. (I sure am glad she has forgotten her friend, Buddy. Visiting him always gets her into trouble, doesn't it?)
Stashia hides behind the chair to watch those dratted kittens. Do you think that Stashia will like those kittens someday? Maybe she will, but you just can't tell yet, can you?

Crafts, Photos, And A Phone Call

Just like Aunt Nat promised she was at Marleewood early in the morning ready to get her Photo Studio ready for some folks that needed to come in today rather than yesterday. The pictures needed to be done today because the Holiday Shop opened up tomorrow. Charlie had ordered all kinds of Valentines Day gifts for people to give to their loved ones on Thursday. Boy that's just a few days from now. Being busy makes time go by really fast sometimes. So now everyone had to hustle and get their Valentines made and photos takes. The Daycare also was open again so Grandma B's friend, Niki was helping Grandma B today. They would take turns in the Daycare and the Community Room. There were some of Marlee's friends including Marlee making Valentines gifts and crafts. Such fun.
Some of the children were old enough to understand about Valentines Day and some were not. Marlee didn't understand the meaning of Valentines Day gifts, but loved doing the crafts and also understood that her hearts were for her mama and daddy. That was plenty good enough for her. She did have a bit of a problem with the markers though. One (1) or (2) slipped out of her hand and marked her face instead of her construction paper.

Marlee said, "Oops" and went about her gift making.
 Harleigh was making Valentines for her friends as well as her family. She had a lot to do.
Aunt Nat was busy in the Photo Studio too taking pictures of babies. She had Addie with bubbles for her picture, isn't she having fun?

Hannah wanted to get her makeup just right before she had her picture taken. Good for you, Hannah!
Bradshaw said he was too busy helping out on the farm to come in for a picture. We miss him at Marleewood, don't we?
And there is Kanyon playing with Aunt Nat. Such a good boy.
While all of this was going on at Marleewood, Grandma Lu answered the phone. Oh she got the biggest smile on her face. It was Bella. She said that they were going to bring dessert for the Valentines Party if that was okay. Oh Grandma Lu laughed and said, "It sure is! Make sure you bring a lot of it. I'm going off my diet for the party."
What in the world do you think that Bella is going to bring for dessert? I sure hope her mama knows she called.

Aunt Nat Is Busy In The Photo Studio

Yesterday while Grandma Lu was telling her story to the children, Aunt Nat came in. She listened to the story, had a cupcake and a cup of coffee. When the story was over, Aunt Nat asked if anyone wanted their pictures taken for Valentines gifts. Well, that was something that no one had thought of. Charlie had ordered candy, flowers, cards and stuffed animals. However, no one even thought of photos. Remember how important photos are to Grandma Lu? Well, she was on board immediately. She knew that Grandma Pat had a beautiful granddaughter that just might like to have her picture taken as a gift for her parents and grandparents. She called her immediately, while Grandma B was calling folks that she thought might be interested. It really had to be done today because they

Harleigh

were going to open up the Holiday Shop the next day so that folks could shop. That meant that the Daycare had to be open too. Oh my, lots of things to do. Valentines Day was fast approaching. I don't even know if Grandma Lu has time to tell a Valentines Day story. We will see, won't we?
Grandma Lu came back into the room and said that Harleigh and her Grandma Pat would be here soon. That said, Aunt Nat went to get the studio ready.
Soon people started coming into Marleewood to get their portraits taken and of course, to visit with their friends.
This is the first photo that Aunt Nat took. Isn't she a beautiful little girl?

Mrs. Joann
Charlie and Zeta

Some folks wanted formal pictures taken, but a lot of parents wanted a picture they could look at and remember the day. The picture of five (5) people is a four (4) generation picture of Marlee's Papa; James A. Weaver, Marlee's daddy whom is holding Marlee Ada Weaver is Austin J. Weaver and Marlee's great grandmother; Ada Weaver Ashlock is holding Whitlee Jo. This picture is a treasure for Marlee's whole family.

A lot of people love to have their pictures taken with their pets. Mrs. Joann arrived with her two (2) dogs that she loves very much. Aunt Nat did a great job, didn't she?

Aunt Nat also put new life into some older photos for people. She made Sawyer's grandma very happy with a beautiful picture of Sawyer's mama when she was a baby. It looks good as new, doesn't it? Her name is Angela. The last picture that was taken today was of Emma. She was all dressed up in her cheerleading outfit. Isn't she cute? This picture is
another treasure for her family.
 Aunt Nat was very busy for the first day. There were folks that had called in that couldn't make it to Marleewood until tomorrow. Aunt Nat was very nice and said, "That's fine with me. I will be here early in the morning."
 So we will get to see more Valentines Day photo gifts and probably some activities in the Community Room tomorrow. I hope everything can get done in time!
Oh look, there is a Valentine Teddy Bear in a bucket. Now that is a fun Valentine Day gift, isn't it? I wonder who that is for. I guess we will have to wait a few days, won't we?
I have a feeling that Grandma Lu will tell us a Valentines Day story one of these days.
See you soon!