Grandma Heaven

I spent the last week in "grandma heaven" with two adorable grand-daughters. It was delightful! Brenda had prepared Cami for our arrival by having her draw a picture of us on a calandar in her room. She was all excited when we arrived despite not seeing us very often. She commenced to show me everything in her room. We played make-believe and, of course, I had brought some presents....Memory game, Hi Ho Cherry O game, and some books about shapes, numbers, and colors that came with dry erase markers. We had great fun, but Cami's favorite game was "chase grandpa with a stick". This we played at Green Lake where we went on several three mile walks and at the arboretum, a beautiful place to walk close by where they live.
We were very impressed with Seattle. There was so much to do close at hand. We visited the Science Center and the Children's Museum...both very impressive. The Children's Museum was especially geared towards children...there was a room set up for doing crafts and painting with smocks provided; a Mister Roger's Neighborhood area with all the buildings and puppets; a grocery store area with plastic food to put in baskets and check out at the cash register....Cami had great fun here...rooms of several different countries, learning about music, water, etc...a forest walk where you could climb and look under rocks...you could spend hours there and not get tired...at least the kids could. We were very impressed. It was active and also educational.
Brenda is very good with the kids. She is good to explain things to Cami. Cami is extremely verbal. She is very smart. She beat me and her dad in the Memory game quite handily and often would point out matches to us when it was our turn. Madeline is a joy!....a very content baby. It was fun to hold her and to change her diapers. It has me excited for Jared and Stacey's baby who will be closer in proximity to me. Nathan gave Madeline a nice blessing the last Sunday we were there.
The Hendricks reunion happened to be the same weekend I was in Seattle and Brenda graciously took me on the bus. It was easy. We caught it a few blocks away and it dropped us off right across the street from the church. The reunion itself was rather boring, but I bought a couple of books with some good information in them. I didn't have any checks, so borrowed some money from Brenda.."the checks in the mail", Brenda.
We went to Cami's swimming lessons on Tuesday and it was fun to watch her swim with her noodle across the pool. She was a little timid about jumping in, but she did it. She is all girl. Very cautious and careful about everything.
Brenda spoiled us with wonderful, healthy cooking. As a result, I bought a salad spinner, crock pot and waffle maker. Brenda is going to send me her recipes.
Nathan is doing well. We met some of the people who work at the institute and saw a Wallace and Gromit movie the first night we were there with some of the other institute families. They had popcorn and goodies. It was fun. We saw the little nook where Nathan works with the pictures of his family around him. We are proud of the work he is doing. Perhaps he will make a breakthrough in cancer research! See the article in "Science" magazine this month! But, mostly, we are proud of the wonderful family he and Brenda are raising.
Well, it is now back to the real world. I have to leave "grandma heaven" behind for a little while, but it was great fun while it lasted!!

Discovery

In reading my book on John Adams, I ran across the name Robert Treat Paine and wondered if he might be related to our ancestor, Governor Robert Treat. Today, while doing some genealogy, I discovered that he was! So, children, you are indirectly related to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence!!
Your 10th grandfather, Robert Treat, was governor of Connecticut. His son, Samuel, born in 1648, attended Harvard College in 1669. Samuel's daughter, Eunice, was the mother of Robert Treat Paine, born 11 March 1731, Boston, Massachusetts.
It is interesting to note Adams' first impression of Robert Treat Paine: "Robert Treat Paine was another lawyer and Harvard graduate, whom Adams thought conceited but who, like Wilburg and Sewall, had a quick wit, which for Adams was usually enough to justify nearly any failing."
Later: "It would divert you to witness conversation between my ancient friend and colleague Robert T. Paine and me. He is above eighty. I cannot speak and he cannot hear. Yet we converse."
I also found some things about him in my genealogy file: "Judge Paine was a firm believer in the divine origin of the Christian religion. He gave full credence to the scriptures, as a revelation from God, designed to instruct mankind in a knowledge of their duty, and to guide them in the way to eternal happiness." (source Rev. Charles A. Goodrich, "Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence")
I will send you the rest of the history by e-mail as it is quite extensive.