We have just finished one of the most glorious weeks with our grandchildren. It was their spring break, and we got them all to ourselves! Life through the eyes of a child is so pure and right on target. They say the most amazing things and ask the most daunting questions.
Our first project was to buy warm clothes as spring decided to give way to more winter last week. They live farther south than Alabama, and the weather is already warmer there. We knew that a lot of the outdoor activities would have to be delayed.
We decided a wonderful day trip to Franklin, Tennessee, would be a fun thing as my granddaughter and I had plotted for a visit to the American Girl store. I had purchased Felicity years ago, along with the tea table and canopy bed, right after my granddaughter was born in hopes that she would share my love of Williamsburg. We got her out and had a marvelous afternoon reading about and sharing afternoon tea. I was in heaven! But she wanted to see the new American Girl dolls, and I thought that would be so much fun.
The guys dropped us off, and we entered the utopia of girl stores. I could not take it all in as there was a doll, beautifully dressed, in lovely displays. How could you choose a doll? Well she knew the one she wanted—Julie Albright! Julie is the doll representing the 1970s, complete with crocheted vest, bell bottoms, and flower decorations. Is she supposed to be a hippie? Who knows, but she was cute. After we bought matching pajamas for my granddaughter and the doll, we were styling.
My grandson, on the other hand, is more of the venturesome type, and he selected an indoor trampoline adventure. Actually, both of them loved it. But the real adventure came when they turned on the mechanical bull. . . . Oh my goodness. How could my babies be riding that contraption? I realized they had grown up and were fearless. They both kept begging for the attendant to go faster and rougher until they were being thrown off (thankfully onto heavily padded floor).
Back in Birmingham, we were on a mission to find tennis shoes with wheels under the heels. Who thought this up? But alas, we found them and proceeded to learn how to walk/roll. Now I must confess, I really would like to have a pair of those shoes, but the fear of falling to my death rolled through my mind. I haven’t ruled out the ones that light up, though . . .
And lastly, let me say I don’t care if I see another chicken wing again. We ate those things four times at least, and pizza and all the things they love. It was their week, and Neal told them they could select the meals. We all got in the kitchen and cooked one day, enjoyed a fun meal around the table that night, and followed it up by the third and final movie in the series Beverly Hills Chihuahua. I found I like children’s movies better than movies for adults! Every movie we watched had talking dogs as the stars.
Taking them home was very sad for me. Our week was over, and I miss them so much when we are apart. This morning, Neal and I ate the last of the Lucky Charms, complete with the new Magic Unicorn marshmallows. You know, those marshmallows are just not as good when you don’t have any kids with whom to enjoy them! Maybe we will have a week this summer . . . or two! We are so thankful for this wonderful time we had with them.
What do you like to do with your grandchildren?