Nina's Grandchildren: Sunday in Cool Texas

During Greg’s childhood, Daddy found it difficult to get the kids ready for church and out the door in time and still be in the mood for church! So Daddy started taking us to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast on our way to church! That gave everyone time to relax, calm down, and prepare ourselves for learning and worship. The kids loved that Sunday morning ritual, and Greg has instituted it for his family, with one variation: Daddy goes out for the donuts and brings them home. I told him, that method does not solve the problem of getting everyone out of the house on time and into the car, then being in the mood for church once we arrive. His contention is – bringing the donuts home, gets everyone to the table. It is impossible to get everyone to the car without the table as a gathering place first. Whatever works!!!

Kids like sprinkles on donuts. Karin and Greg always did, and the grandkids do too. However, their donut shop uses two kinds: annoying tiny ball sprinkles which are hard and crunchy. They also have long, soft sprinkles. The older kids like both. The little ones do not like the crunchy ones, yet cannot verbalize their dislike of them. Kien was not eating his donut until Cathi pointed out his donut had the ball sprinkles. Gabe’s had the long ones, and he was happily eating. Daddy broke a piece of each donut off and exchanged them. Kien gobbled the soft one down. Gabe refused the ball sprinkles. Hopefully, Daddy learned the lesson! NO MORE BALL SPRINKLES PLEASE!!!!

Arriving at church.

Kien calls me "Grandma Nina" now.

Dropping the boys in their classrooms.

Headed for church.

After church, Brandy stayed to help with the kids in the next service, followed by a youth event. The rest of us had lunch at Panera, followed by a train ride through Trinity Park!

Turtles! As seen from crossing a train bridge.

While stopped at a concession stand, the boys ran and ran.

Acrobat Kien climbed this tree (camera unready). Then Jeremy helped Gabe do the same.

This evening, Greg and Cathi’s small group from church planned to meet at a park for a pizza supper. I knew I did not bring clothes warm enough for such an adventure in this unseasonable climate! Cathi and I went shopping this afternoon. I found a new top and blue jean capris, and Cathi loaned me a sweater.

The Walsh boys.