Fun in the Summer Sun

Day 215 of Photo Inspirations — Fun in the Summer Sun!!
Before I ever had grandchildren, I had a Hope Chest for them.  I collected so many toys and games — I was totally prepared for making Nana’s house a Fun House.  And it always has been.  “Papa”, my husband turned one of our upstairs bedrooms into a complete, totally authentic, indoor cabin for our first three grandsons. The boys thought they were outdoors because of all the outdoor decor’, log walls and bunk beds.  And our girl had a bedroom at our house that was all princess style and as frue frue as it could be. At that season of our lives…..they were our world and our world was about “frogs, snails and puppy dog tails”, as well as “sugar and spice and everything nice”!

Over the years, we were on purpose to be those over-the-top grandparents that made sure our time together was quality PLUS time.  And that hasn’t changed even though, today, I’m going it as a single — and I still give it all I’ve got for having fun.

Yesterday was no exception.  My 3 youngest grandchildren, plus big brother, are here with me.  Here’s how our day went:
1) Fishing in my pond (that’s a must — fishing poles are lined up in the garage).
2) Special Dice Game created by Nana — where the winner gets to claim a prize (wrapped up Dollar Store items) from the treasure chest.
3) Playing with Cra-Z-Sand — all kinds of molds for lots of creativity.
4) A must when coming to Nana’s — a trip to the Dollar Store — each kid gets to pick several items.

5) Hanging out at the swimming pool & putting green with a picnic lunch.
6) Fishing again — Bryson caught a fish — Bear took it off the hook
7) Played 20-year old Nintendo 64 games — I love how they still want to play it, even though they have the latest of technology with them and at home.
8) Built a Lincoln Log city.
9) Played Apples to Apples
10)  Watched a movie

11)  Painted rocks
12)  Played Pickleball
13)  Kids took lasagne over to a neighbor recovering from surgery
14)  More fishing at the end of the day.

What’s the best thing about having grandkids?  Having little people to remind me that I am loved, and as tired as I may be at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade a minute of the time we have together.   My house has fishing equipment ready to go for today, toys are picked up and shoved to a corner,  their shoes are scattered from door to door, two of them slept in my room with me last night, and each of them in their own way have my heart.  Six grandkids ranging in ages from 8 to 23 — and I can honestly say — each and every one of them have had our undivided attention and each have been made to know how much we love them.

Perhaps you’re a new grandparent or a veteran grandparent or one day, you’ll get to be a card-carrying grandparent.  Get ready for the time of your life.  There’s nothing like it!  When our kids were little, we never realized how fast time would fly by, but now that we know, squeezing as much into these precious years with our grandkids will have monumental rewards long after we’re no longer here.  I know that’s true by how my grandkids still talk about “Papa”.  I see the impact he had on their lives.  Today, while fishing, Bryson (our youngest) talked a lot about Papa and what a great fishermen he was. The time Papa invested into these six, was so worth it.  And, that’s what I’m doing too.  Slowing down and becoming completely absorbed in their world, let’s them know how much they matter to us.   Slowing down and putting all those “necessary essentials” aside as much as possible to let them know our time with them is the most important thing we can be doing when they’re with us.. These times together are treasures, so I’m treasuring them.  Sunday will be here and they’ll go home.  I’ll admit I’ll be singing “Silent Night Holy Night all is calm” but for today……I’m really busy making this day count!!!