One of the greatest joys of being a grandparent is when Grands visit, especially without their parents. That’s when we grandparents can spoil, and our children can’t tell us that they never got to do the things the grandchildren are doing.
Husband and I invited five Grands, ages 5-14, to spend a few days with us while Daughter and Son 2 took a mini-vacation. We see these Grands often and one spends the night with us each week so we know their likes, dislikes, and personalities. We also know their energy levels and melt-down points.
Our Grands took over the second floor. Beds and blow-up mattresses were claimed or assigned. Honestly, when one Grand spends the night, everything is packed in a small backpack. For four nights, they brought backpacks, duffle bags, armloads of stuffed animals, books, iPads, reading lights, four scooters, a basketball, and a bicycle.
Husband and I had a plan: divide and enjoy. (Yes, divide and conquer came to mind, but joy was our goal.) Husband took three to the gym to play basketball; I took two shopping at a store where $1 buys a treat. Some played UNO and Qwirkle. Three made flour and salt play dough and one spent thirty minutes adding food coloring to get the perfect purple, which eventually became the perfect chocolate brown. And each had a thirty-minute Wii (video games) playing time. Day 1 was a success.
Day 2 we took a field trip to the Chattanooga Creative Discovery Museum. Early morning, I packed breakfasts and snacks while older Grands helped the youngers dress and get out the door into the van. As we traveled all were quiet, listening to an audio book and munching on biscuits and grapes and drinking juice.
The museum was packed with activities for all ages and people of all ages. Again, Husband’s and my plan to divide and enjoy worked. Across the way I held up two fingers; he’d held up three. Everyone within sight. Another good day ended when we arrived home and our Grands piled out of the van and grabbed scooters to ride and balls to throw for outside burn off energy time.
I planned Day 3 to relax: play games, read, make peanut butter play dough, and maybe cookies. I realized it’d be a long day when our Grands energy levels registered at the top of the chart and mine was barely above 0. The Grands chose candy as Bingo prizes; that was fine with me. The day ended with pizza and a movie. I was the first one asleep.
By 9:00 a.m. on Day 4, one Grand had her belongings packed and asked, “When will Mom and Dad be home?” This last day passed quickly. After suppertime we loaded my van to take our Grands and all their stuff home to their parents. As I backed out of our driveway, Micah, the youngest yelled, “Gran!” and then in the sweetest voice he said, “Gran, I love you.”
Suddenly, I wasn’t so tired. So harried. Like I said, it’s a joy to have Grands visit.
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Filed under: Grandchildren | Tagged: Grandchildren, Grands visit |
Susan Writes 
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