“Have courage and be kind” . . .
. . . and so, we put our heads down and pushed into the wind on the birthday of a little princess. Mommy, Aunty Jenny, Yia Yia, and the little girl just turning five embarked upon a girls’ day out on Sunday to see the new Disney movie, Cinderella.
How can I possibly describe the pure joy of viewing a fantasy fairy tale with the three most cherished girls in my life? We shared tubs of popcorn and Skittles and giggled at the Disney short feature about Anna and Elsa, the movie Frozen’s lead characters. That the feature was about a surprise party for Anna on her birthday just added to magic. We pretended (okay, I pretended) that Anna and Kezzie have the same birthday. Why not? I’m the grannie and grannies can make up whatever they want. Bippity boppity boo.
An underlying theme in this version of Cinderella are the last words Cinderella’s mother speaks to her, “have courage and be kind”. Not bad advice in fantasy or real life.
As grandparents with grandchildren who live very far way, the moments of being near our little ones are often infrequent, so, like many of you we have to seize what moments we have and savor them to last a bit longer when distance keeps us apart. So, we have these few days, and will for the next few, going for walks, cooking, enjoying our meals, playing, reading stories, hiding in blanket forts and engaging in adolescent concerts.
I’ll be busy for a few more days, my friends, so, here are a few photos of our time so far, as we make the most of our time together in the next few days.
Ezra chilling out with Papa, and dressing against the chill for some fun in the yard.
Making music together.
Helping Yia Yia make eggs for brunch with Aunty Jenny and Uncle Jason,
and birthday celebrations.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
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Great photos of those grandbabies! Ummm, with apologies to the birthday girl, who, I’m sure, would be quick to tell me she’s FIVE now, and no longer a baby! 🙂
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It is, it is. 🙂
She probably would, Karen, but, I, on the other hand, know what you mean. It has been such fun having them here. I will hate to see them return home, but, like Scarlett O’Hara, I’ll worry about that tomorrow.
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Oh, Penny! What a perfect birthday celebration for your dear princess! I can’t think of anything more heartwarming than learning this important life lesson, surrounded by all of the strong women in her family! Best gift ever!! Cherish every moment of your visit! ♡
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I truly am cherishing this time, Dawn. Thank you. Seeing this new version of Cinderella was fun to do together.
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Happy days have returned to the Cutoff. The smiles on their faces speak volumes. They are safe, happy and totally in love with their grandparents. I know you are walking on air and having a ball!
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Ah, yes, they have, Marilyn. 🙂 and walking on air is a great way to describe our time. It’s so much fun seeing the world through their eyes and we have had some interesting “discussions” as well. Life is grand.
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Wish I could’ve been there. Looks like they both had a blast celebrating her big day. It’s so hard to believe she’s five, and it seems like Ezra was just born (though his mom might not say that……..)
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That would have been grand, Andra. You two share a birthday month. 🙂
It does seem to have gone by so fast already for both children. He’s talking up a storm and keeps us hopping and big sister Kez can hold her own in a conversation as well. Fun.
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How absolutely wonderful. Such beautiful children.
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So nice to see you here, Cath. Thank you. It has been wonderful and i think they will both remember their time here. 🙂
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These are the times they will remember all their lives. When they are your age, they will tell their own grandchildren about these wonderful visits. Makes me cry with joy for you, Penny.
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I hope so, Nan. Isn’t it fun to be a grandmother? Thank you for writing tonight.
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How very special for all of you, Penny! Those smiles say a lot! I’m delighted to see the memories being made in their little lives, surrounded by so much love. I accompanied my three girls to see Cinderella just the other day as well. No Skittles, but plenty of popcorn! And I was equally struck by the “Have courage and be kind!” It was a really lovely film, I thought! Soak up every moment with your sweet ones as they will with you. They are beautiful children, my friend. ox
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I thought Cinderella was very lovely as well, Debra, and the ending, a little different than happily ever after. Forgiveness. 🙂 Personally, I stayed with the popcorn. The York Theatre has the BEST, and, free refills. From as long ago as once upon a time, the family’s unspoken rule is “bring back popcorn”. He/who doesn’t hears the unspoken rule 🙂 Thank you, Debra.
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Aha! Now I know why you’re so busy! Kezzie is looking like quite a young lady in that top photo. Ezra is growing up fast too. What fun to giggle and be silly and see Cinderella. Spring has definitely arrived at the Cutoff.
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It has arrived, at last, Juliet. The spring peepers are calling down at the roadside pond at last.
You know how these busy times with grandchildren can be – happily so. 🙂
Thank you.
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Awwwww! So sweet! Great photos! So glad you enjoyed the movie.
I want to see Cinderella!
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Oh, do see it, L. Marie. It is a gentle film, beautiful sets, and about courage, kindness, and forgiveness. 🙂
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Awww…it was a special day indeed! 🙂
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How could it not be with the best girls around. 🙂 Kez and I have been singing My Girl these days.
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5 is a BIG birthday! The first celebration that she will remember clearly for all her life! And what a wonderful memory she’ll have.
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Oh, Sallie, how interesting you said this. I remember my 5 year old party, with my cousins around me in the basement of the two flat we all lived in. How marvelous it is to think that perhaps our Kezzie might remember seeing Cinderella and having her 5 year old birthday.
We finally have spring here! The sun is out. The daffodils are poised to open. The spring peepers are in full chorus. 🙂
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Tears came to my eyes as I remembered hugging my first grandchild and boarding that plane home. Visit as often as you can.
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Oh, Phyllis, I can only imagine the tugging of your heart with such a very long-distance you faced then. I do and we were were so fortunate to have this week together. 🙂
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Oh, Penny, what lovely photos of your gorgeous grandchildren. I know just what you mean about having to make the most of infrequent contact with them, as that has been the story of our times with our grandsons over the years. Enjoy your happy days while they last.
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Your writings of your grandsons are encouragement to me, Perpetua, and that even at long distances and spans of time, grandparents and grandchildren can have wondrous relationships. They headed on home this morning and, though I miss the activity that children bring, I’m savoring fond memories and looking forward to the “next time”.
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Making memories to last a lifetime!!!
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I hope so, Roz – it is fun, fun, fun. 🙂
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Beautiful photos! I’m sure Kezzie had a very happy birthday and I know you were thrilled to have them there! You don’t have to describe your “pure joy” having your three girls with you in that movie theater, I can easily imagine it.
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I know you can imagine it, Janet, especially with two of your children on the west coast. Just to have our children with us, then to have them together, is a gift. It was delightful to have a girls’ day out on a birthday.
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By the way, that top photo of Kezzie in the adorable dress and her braids is portrait material! I hope you enlarge and frame it! 🙂
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Thank you, Janet. I think I will. We were just saying we have tons of photos downloaded and almost instant viewing on the computer, but, not many framed, and certainly not recent.
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