The Gypsy Caravan 2023

Monday, March 30, 2026

We Are Exhausted! And It Was Great!

We had a lovely and fun pre-Easter, birthday weekend with the grandboys -- and boy, did they tire us out! To be fair, both of us were running on limited sleep. But it was a fun weekend so no complaints!

 

Our weekend started off watching Michigan State lose to UConn in the Sweet Sixteen. The first half was grim and the boys were in bed by the second. The game ended up much closer than expected from "Act One" and if MSU had played as they did in the second half, they would have made it to at least the Elite Eight. Alas. 

Saturday kicked off with a trip to the grocery store. That's always an adventure! Before they left, they had to strut their Ninja wall climbing skills -- admirably (this wall is taller than both of them.)

 

Then off to the store where they took great pleasure in weighing their hands. . . 

 

. . . and cruising on the cart.

We couldn't leave till both of them took a ride on Sandy the Penny Horse!

 

On the way home, we stopped at Elderly Instruments in Old Town. For Mural Monday I have a pic of this one, across the street. (Sorry, I was too far away to see if there was an artist name.)

 

Then we drove by the State Capitol to see what was happening with the No Kings demo. (No, there was no way we were taking an active seven and nine-year-old to a demonstration with over 2,000 people who had committed to being there.) But oh, how I wanted to be out there with them! Early reports say 8 million nationwide participated and there were many protests around the world!

 

When we drove by it had just started and the crowd was already pretty big and lots of people were headed that direction with their signs.

 

Back home, the kids colored loot bags to put their Easter egg hunt candy in. These were a fun buy -- complete with markers! Only $1.49 -- which bought a lot of creative time!

 

Then we celebrated Carson's birthday!

 

Yes, cake was consumed!

 

Sunday brought about an early egg hunt, since they'll be away on Easter.

 

Needless to say, there were plenty of eggs to be found. . . 

 

. . . and lots of loot! 

 

(It was a good thing we decorated those little bags!)

 

All in all, it was a special weekend. Full of fun and good times. And now onward. Have a good holiday week (or spring break)!

 

(I am having my sinus surgery today (Monday). I plan to take a short break from commenting unless you have a specific question.) But I'll be reading every single one and have a new post on Thursday! Thanks so much for all your support and kind words!)

Sharing with:   Sami's Mural Monday     

59 comments:

  1. All best luck with the surgery!!
    bobbie

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  2. Hello Jeanie,
    I hope all goes well with your sinus surgery, sending prayers and well wishes. Cute photos of your grandchildren, we celebrated an early Easter with our grands too. Happy Birthday to Carson!
    Take care, have a wonderful week.

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  3. Good luck with surgery … have a speedy recovery

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  4. That sounds like such a wonderful weekend! I hope the surgery goes well.

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  5. Beautiful and heartwarming photos! It is so wonderful to see children enjoying themselves! Happy Birthday to Carson. The cake looks delicious!

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  6. Best of luck with the surgery, success and a quick recovery.

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  7. Good luck with the surgery... Won't you be glad when it's over! I felt quite envious of your fun weekend with the kids I it looks such fun!!!

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  8. Glad the boys had fun. Oh how I remember those mechanical horses as a kid. Janice

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  9. All the best for your surgery.
    I sure miss our grandies!

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  10. What a fun weekend! The loot bags were a great idea! Those were busy boys, but isn't that wonderful! You can tell how much they enjoy spending time with you!

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  11. What a fun but yes, it looks exhausting, weekend. I can't believe Carson turns 9. Wow. I remember you holding him in your arms (or I should say seeing the photos of that). I bet the boys had a blast though. Good luck with your surgery...I hope it went well and you are feeling better ASAP. hugs-Erika

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  12. Looks like a wonderful weekend -- you & Rick put on the best parties for the boys, they must love getting to visit you!

    And what a great way to keep your mind off the upcoming surgery. What a relief it will be to finally get this work done, but I bet you'll be glad when it's finally over. Wishing you all the best!

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  13. You are so good at making memories with the grands! The grocery store picture has me wondering how much my hands weigh. I don’t know what sinus surgery involves, but hope there’s no big pain and you are soon feeling good as new.

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  14. Prayers for your surgery and healing
    May

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  15. What a great weekend before the surgery. I hope it goes well , actually has gone well by now.

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  16. Surgery must be over by this time of night. Hope it went well.

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  17. Oh, what a fun time with the grandkiddos!!! I am glad it went great. Well wishes on your surgery!

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  18. By now your surgery must have happened. Hoping it went well and you have relief.
    What a lovely early Easter celebration. I love the loot bags. I can't believe Carson is already 9. How they grow so quickly is beyond me. Tell them to slow down a bit. Though I was tired from flying home, I made it to the protest and glad I did. Thus said, sometimes we just have to take care of ourselves and miss it. Take care dear one.

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  19. Sounds like a really perfect weekend. I miss those days. Your boys are so cute, and at just the right age for Easter!
    I hope all went well today. Holding you in my thoughts, Jeanie.

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  20. Grandchildren are such a precious treasure to spend time with and It sounds like all of you had a great time. Easter egg hunts are always fun. It was so nice that you planned one for them. Praying your surgery goes well.

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  21. Hoping your surgery went well today.
    You put on a great Easter egg hunt for your grandsons! Great outings, fun party. Those boys are blessed to have you as grandparents!

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  22. That sounds like a fun time with the boys and yes to standing up!
    Hope (bet) all went well with your surgery!

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  23. LOL. Them weighing their hands made me smile. Isn't it lovely how children view the world and do things like that?!

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  24. BonnieincoloradoTuesday, March 31, 2026

    Hoping the surgery goes well and you find relief from the pain. Thank you for sharing your adventures with the grandkids. You always have such fun activities planned. Bonnie

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  25. Thought of you this morning. Hope everything went well. Hugs. Feel better.

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  26. If you’re going to have an exhausting weekend, this is the way to do it! And you have grandchildren without ever having gone through the rigours of childbirth, Jeanie. Not a bad deal!

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  27. What a fun weekend. I bet you were tired. I am looking forward to our grand's Easter egg hunt. We fill some with candy, some with money. The tradition is 1 yellow egg each and it has $1. (now as grandma, I put in a $5...ahaha).

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  28. Glad you had such a good time. My fingers are crossed that the surgery went well and you're comfortable and resting now.

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  29. ...I remember if I was good, I could ride the horse after grocery shopping! But I never weighed my hand!

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  30. Your post emails always arrive a day after they actually go up, so I hope your surgery went well, and that the recovery's quick as can be! I always get a kick out of seeing the Easter routines at your place. The thought of a "loot bag" is fun, although I do have fond memories of picking out my Easter basket each year.

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  31. Fun times with the boys. They have grown a lot! Best of luck with you sinus op Jeanie and thanks for participating in Monday Murals, you found a colourful one. Hope the "No King" demonstrations yield a good outcome.

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  32. Thinking of you for Monday.You are wonderfyl grandparents:) i will the Little days. Although even big they are so tender and loving:)

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  33. I was thinking of you yesterday and sending lots of good and healing thoughts. Lovely photos of the boys. Happy to see all the people! Many, many voices heard this day.

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  34. Looks like a great time with the boys. Crafting and hunting for eggs. Wishing you healing thoughts for your surgery. Rest up. Happy spring break.

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  35. Sending good vibes your way! Thanks for sharing this post. I am having an okay week. just got my cabinets refinished, so that made me happy. Blessings to you!

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  36. Good luck with your surgery! I hope it goes well.
    What a gift, time with those sweet boys. I misread the word "weighing" as "washing" and I thought, how is that washing their hands? (need more coffee)

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  37. It looks like you had a great weekend leading up to your surgery! Now you can rest up and heal!

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  38. What a fun time! I hope the surgery went well. Happy Easter!

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  39. Very cool mural! Glad you had such a good holiday time with the grandkids! Best wishes for a speedy recovery from surgery.

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  40. Cute kids. Glad they found the eggs. I wish you good luck with the surgery. I hope you'll feel so much better.

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  41. Such a fun exercise with family

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  42. Great photographs, it certainly looks like a lot of fun was had.
    Hope the sinus surgery went well, my good wishes for a speedy recovery.

    Also good wishes for April and Happy Easter.

    All the best Jan

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  43. I recall riding store horses, and they only cost dime.

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  44. Thinking of you as you recover and hoping all went well, Jeanie.
    Your weekend does look fun with those adorable grandboys. They sure are growing fast! Making sweet memories. xx Hope you have a nice Easter with a little chocolate, too. x K

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  45. By now you'll be in recovery mode from your sinus surgery and I hope it went very well. The Easter celebrations are always fun with the children. xx

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  46. Looks like you all had a fun pre-Easter weekend, Jeanie. Hope that all went well with the surgery and that you have a full recovery.

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  47. How fun! These times are the best!

    Sending good thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery!

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  48. Hope your surgery went well and that you get a little rest. Karen (Back Road Journal)

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  49. It looks and sounds like you all had a fun weekend with the boys. I am hoping you are feeling better and have a speedy recovery.

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  50. Love seeing those Meijer ponies are still around, You are so good at building great memories for the boys.

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  51. Oh what a fun time with the boys! Thinking of your upcoming surgery and that all will go well for you, Jeanie!

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  52. I hope all went well with your surgery and that your recovery is not too uncomfortable
    You've been in my thoughts..

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  53. I hope your surgery went as smoothly as possible and that you are resting and not in too much pain! That is a tough surgery!

    Your early Easter celebration sounded wonderful! It looks like the weather cooperated. We will likely have snow/slush on Easter so our egg hunt will be indoors. Sigh.

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  54. Glad the boys and you all had lots of fun. Hope the surgery went well.

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  55. What a wondrous weekend. Hope all went well with the surgery. Thinking of you.

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  56. The boys are getting big. What an amazing weekend with the kids. I dream of doing that with my great granddaughters but they live on the other side of the US. These are the things the boys will remember all of their lives. Thank you for sharing it all.

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  57. Good luck with surgery.
    What lovely days you had with the grandchildren. It must be such a pleasure. Kids are wonderful to be with.

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