The visit is over, but the memories are there and I will enjoy them for a long time. Watching my four grandchildren interact was an incredible experience. They helped each other on the computer, they used their imaginations to build “things” with tinker toys, they built the inevitable tent, and they each had at least one new experience a day. And, yes, even Felicia (10 Months) was right in the thick of things. Boy can she move fast! As I watched, my heart grew a little and my eyes occasionally misted.

It is a little quiet around here now. Grandpa and I will rest a little. We will also smile a lot and share our memories of our 2004 Thanksgiving Holiday.

We’re spending the day in Roseville at Grandee & Grandpa’s house, along with Uncle Geoff, Aunt Dena, Camden and Brayden. Fletcher friends Anne & HD are joining us for dinner later today.

At the moment, the three older cousins are playing with some early Christmas presents from Grandee …. Legos! Never one to let the calendar stand in her way, Grandee decded a few gifts needed to be opened with everyone, since we’ll be celebrating with our other families on Christmas.

She’s nine months old (OK, a few days short of 10), and we had her third quarter doctor’s appointment today. Essentially, she’s completely normal, and very healthy. Her scary start to life is but a distant memory.

Other Stats: 21 pounds (75%tile); 28 inches tall (50%tile); constantly smiling.

We did get a doctor-recommended flu shot, in case you’re jealous, and we get to go back in a month for a second jab in the thigh to boost the first shot.

In other news, we’re allowed to move away from our “allergen hold” with the gradual introduction of meat, wheat, and soy. We all ate Turkey today! …. and I hear we might eat it on Thursday, too. We’ll experiment again with milk after she’s a year old.

She is on the move with an effective forearm scooting motion, and she can reach low tables and shelves. If she gets her hand on a sheet of paper, it’s destroyed almost instantly, and she’ll hunt down a defenseless piece of newspaper from across the room. We also have to protect the cat food. And floor lamps.

A quick story …..

Yesterday, after she said something really intelligent, I asked Jocelyn how smart she was? She replied: “Eighty tons gallon smart!” So, there you go ….

Jocelyn is very good with computers, thanks to her own interests and as a result of the addictions of her grandmother. Earlier this week, after watching me log-on to our adult computer, she asked me for my password. I explained why people don’t share passwords (… especially with precocious 6-year-olds, I thought to myself).

Today, she saw my log-on, and she said, “Oh, I have to watch you, so I can get the word next time.”

I think she’s relatively well-intended, mostly interested in manipulating the iTunes jukebox to reflect her own musical tastes. Everyone might want to hide your ATM PINs, just in case.

Jocelyn *really* enjoyed her birthday this year. In fact she was quite into *getting* gifts this year. It had me a little unsure about how to proceed with Christmas and how to get the focus adjusted a bit.

Anyway, we headed off to Toys R Us on the day after her birthdaya party to exchange an Angel Cake doll which had arrived as a duplicate on her birthday. Jocelyn was also planning to spend some cash that she had received for her birthday. As we drove into the parking lot Jocelyn said, “What are those guys doing here?” I turned to look and realized she was referring to the 2 United States Marines standing in front of the store. You may know about the huge Toys for Tots program that is run by the Marines and collects over 15 million toys each year. I proceeded to explain to Jocelyn that they were soldiers who were collecting toys for children whose families could not afford to buy toys for them this year.

Well, as we walked past the Marines a woman was on her way out of the store and handed the them a toy. We got about 10 steps past them and Jocelyn said, “Maybe we should give this [the Angel Cake doll] to those guys instead of exchanging it.” I proudly stumbled past the huge lump in my throat and said, “Great idea, Sweetie.”

Alright, I admit it. I’m 36 … she’s six … and Jocelyn beats me regularly when we play “Concentration” style card games. Her current favorite is the “I Spy Memory Game” with cleverly designed matching pairs that are the same, but different. Trust me, she’s good. You might want to practice, just in case she challenges you anytime soon.