Late Breaking News from the Japenga Clan – Including stories from the Grandchildren
Updated on July 3, 2010 with a new look
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (December, 2000)
Hannah spent some time with us before Christmas. Together we made Christmas cards for members of her family. The first were very elaborate and well decorated. As she got to the end of the list, the last cards were sparsely decorated. The final card was to her other grand parents and it was plain. When asked, Hannah replied:
“Oh, they’re old and don’t like a lot of activity.”
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (July, 2000)
During Alexander’s recent check-up, he was in one of his normal chattering moods. The doctor’s office was loud. The doctor was talking, Alex was talking, etc. When it came time to take his pulse and listen to his heart, everything quieted down. For the first time since he arrived, he heard the muszac coming out of the ceiling speaker. Zanzy said: “Mom, I didn’t there was a radio inside me.” Every one in the office cracked up.
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (March, 2000)
On Ash Wednesday, Hannah (age 6) went to the Ash Wednesday service which includes communion. Sara explained the meaning of communion very carefully and it seemed as if Hannah understood. After the pastor broke the bread and said “This is my body broken for you.” Hannah looked at her Mom and said licking her lips “Yummmm!.”
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (February 2000)
One of the Grandchildren (who shall remain anonymous), was playing with two souvenir coins. One of them fell into an unreachable spot and was lost for good. The child said “Boy am I glad that that was my brothers. You see, I still have mine.” Barbara was trying to make this a teachable moment ask, “What do you think would be the kind thing to do since you were the one who lost it?” The response, “I don’t know and I’m not going to do it.”
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (June 2000)
Last weekend, we had Hannah for a day or so. She was a big help with her Gramma in the garden and with her Grampa getting the pool in shape for the big weekend. As we drove her back home the following discussion took place:
Grampa: Thanks for all the help this weekend Hannah. You must be a big help to your Mom and Dad at home.
Hannah: No. Mom does most of the work around our house. And … (long pause) I only like to help old people.
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (May)
During May, we took care of the LeBlanc boys while their mom and dad took a weekend away and Maia was celebrating her prom. Ben was unable to find his toothbrush while here. When they got home, Johnny was unpacking his bag and found Ben’s toothbrush uncovered packed in with Johnny’s dirty socks. The following conversation took place:
Ben: Oh great. My toothbrush was in with your dirty socks.
Johnny: [Not seeing in a problem with this pulls his own toothbrush out of the same place in the bag]. So! Mine was too.
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (April 1998)
Last week, I was driving Abby back to school. Hannah (age 5) and Alex (age 3) were in the car. After we dropped Abby off, we sang songs in the car that each knew. The dialog went like this:
Hannah: I have a song. It’s about the Spice girls. [long pause] Actually I don’t know anything about the Spice girls. [long pause] You know – your brain is sometimes like a diary. It’s private. [long pause]. I don’t think I want to sing this song.
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (January)
We took care of the Moger grand children in late January. On Saturday afternoon around 5:00 PM, I came upstairs to find all of the grand children eating rice krispie bars.
“What is this?” I cried.
Barbara replied, “Just a little snack before supper.”
Hannah (age 5) said: “Gramma only knows how to say ‘Yes’”
Wouldn’t we all love to have had such a Grandmother!!!
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (November)
Hannah – 5 years old – sang the following ditty one day (11/6/98):
I don’t care if I’m empty
I don’t care if I’m weak
I don’t care if I’m dead
I’ll just praise God wherever I am
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (September)
Alexander – 3 years old – comes running up the stairs from the basement where their old Mac computer is. “Mom, I am so frustrated. I can’t close the file” 3 years old and he already knows about closing files?! Alex, it’s good to know that even Mac’s have problems. I thought that only happened on PCs.
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (July/August)
There were two absolutely unprintables this month – sorry! They had us in stitches but are not appropriate for a family web page.
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (May-June)
While playing a rousing game of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiago (a game that teaches kids geography), I asked Johnny (age 
where to go next based on the clues. When I asked him if he knew where Red Square was he said:
After some thought, he said, “I’m not sure, but I think it is somewhere near the Bermuda Triangle”
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (April)
Alex (at Age 3) “Gramma, You are a One Woman Babe-Fest”
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (Mar)
Ben (at Age 5) after Gramma fell off her bike: Gramma, you need training wheels — because you are a girl!
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (Feb)
Grandpa Bob: How’s Valley Pre-School been?
Johnny (at Age 5): My name is not Ben. It’s Johnny.
The Grandchild Quote of the Month (Jan)
Johnny (at Age 7): Mom, I’d like to listen to Dr. Laura.
Mom: Why is that Johnny?
Johnny: So I’ll know how to act when I grow up.