OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS TO GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE WE GO

Yippee!!!! Another first for Gram and Pap! Last week we picked up Emma and Ben for and overnighter TOGETHER! Actually, it was TWO nights! Wwhohoo!!! The itinerary was to spend Sunday night at Gram and Pap's house and then travel to Mamaw's (great-grandma) house Monday morning. There were some tearful goodbyes (but not from the kids!) They did so well at our house, listened, played, slept.

Monday morning started at 7:30 a.m. Poked my head in the kid's room and they were awake and just talking (smile). I saw immediate smiles and heard "Hi!" How precious. We had breakfast, then got dressed and went to our new city playground for an hour, then packed and got on the road. Plan was to leave so we would be in the car during nap-time. We were all excited! Pap had to work, so this trip was just me (Gram), Emma and Ben. Sorry Ty. School takes priority. Next time.

We set out (geezze, mommy's, forgot how much stuff you gotta take with kiddo's!), me, Emma, Ben, and Bob and Larry (This is the day...if you haven't heard the kids singing in the car - see previous post) : VeggieTales for the next 2 hrs and 15 min.! Yeah!

On the way, we stopped at Dairy Queen for lunch, then took our food to a nearby rest area where we had a picnic. What fun! Kid's got to eat and exercise a little and feed the birds with leftover bread from their hot dogs. They now know what a robin is, and as Ben says: "They have a orange beldy" (belly). And the nap?? There were no naps taken!!! Just a LOT of "This is the day"! (smile)

At Mamaw's, both kids gave her big hugs and kisses (Emma first, Ben took a little longer to warm up). Mamaw had recently broken her hip, so she moves a little slower and also needed to have a ramp built to make it easier getting in and out of the house. The kids called it a "bridge". Up and down the "bridge" they marched, having loads of fun. Mamaw like the word so much, she said from now on it is no longer a ramp - it is a bridge!!! I like that. A bridge that connects youth and age. A bridge that connects far and near. A bridge making new adventures possible.

One of the highlights of being in the country is being able to see wildlife up close. Mom feeds the deer, so they come to the backyard for supper every day around 5 p.m. The kids and I put food out for the various animals: corn for the deer (cobs which the kids enjoyed throwing), peanuts for the birds, and DanDee's Corn Twisties for the raccoon and possum. Ben had a great time. Emma was a little fearful that "the animals will get me. I want to go inside." After much assurance, she participated in the feeding too.

Did our feeding pay off????

Children, children, what do you see?......

I see raindeer looking at me!!!!!

Emma looked at them and said, "They can't get in the house. They don't have hands." Don't know where these fears are coming from, but hope this one at least is laid to rest. Gram won't let anything happen to you, little one.

Emma found an old teddy bear that used to belong to my brother. She hugged it and said, "The teddy bear is crying." Guess it just needed a little lovin'. Later she put it in a corner and said, "You need a time out." Ha!

Both kids were enthralled with the antique mantle clock that chimes on the hour. When we told them about it, Emma was afraid and said, "It will be too loud." Mom and I spoke with exaggerated excitement for the kids as the clock struck 4. They both had surprised looks and Emma said, "It dings!" Then Ben said, "Now 5??" So it became a game: time for the clock, lets go listen, the the kids count the "dings". Makes me smile to remember it.

At bathtime, Ben went first and enjoyed his bubble bath. During that time, Emma wanted Mamaw to read stories, and blessed Mamaw's heart by asking if she could sit on her lap. Sorry, sweetie, Mamaw has a hurt leg. So we did the next best thing, a chair as close as we could get to Mamaw's chair. Emma enjoyed many stories. When it was Ben's turn, he was more interested in exploring than in being read stories.

The beds were so high, we were afraid the kids would roll off and get hurt. So I brought along a blow-up mattress for the kids to sleep on. It worked very well. Yes, it is ok for Gram to rile them up at bedtime!!!! They went right to sleep when told anyway!!!!

This was a GREAT experience. The children were well behaved, ate well, listened to what Gram and Mamaw said, didn't get into things. At one point, Ben touched a nicknack and Emma said, "Benjamin! That is breakable!" heehee. Mamaw LOVED having the little ones there and said to me: "I hope they remember this, and me. Well, if you do this MORE OFTEN maybe they will."
I can tell you, they will. And we WILL do this again.

On the way home? Yes, there were naps. All the activity had tuckered them out!!!

We had an amazing time! Blessings abound! Family is so important. Never get so busy that you don't take time to spend with family. Each minute is precious and is such a joy and blessing. What a wonderful gift God has given us in family, immediate and extended.

Blessings and Shalom and much love to all - Gram