Have you ever tried to explain steam to a four year old, or listened in rapt attention as a toddler valiantly tried to tell you he wanted Thomas the Train as he pointed to there?
Dear reader, my head was swimming, pleasantly, of course, for three days as our little darlings chatted and hugged and otherwise charmed the socks off of us.
Such a long spell had passed since Christmastime, with post-operative recuperation here, childhood maladies amongst the grandchildren and their parents there, and the winter-that-would-not end blocking our tire-worn path. At long last Tom and I headed up to Minnesota on a balmy April day, with the wind mostly at our backs, the sun rising to meet us, and our souls filled with the sweet anticipation of embracing our northern kin.
It is hard to believe that our Kezzie turned four a few weeks ago. Where did the time go? We cuddled and read books, colored and opened birthday presents, bargained for banana bread and wore strategically placed stickers on our chests. Badges of honor, these sticker are, though some got stuck on the floor (please don’t tell her parents). All was accomplished while engaged in the most enlightened conversations between kindred spirits separated by six decades.
Our Ezra is rapidly advancing in age. He is now 19 months old and toddling about with a crop of boyish curls, a sailor’s gait, and a rapidly expanding vocabulary. Car. Truck. Tractor. Train. Book (with the emphasis on the k). These the current most oft-repeated words, especially since cousins Scott and Jake mailed up a box of trains a few weeks earlier, sharing their outgrown wheels. We chug-a-chugged up and down the hallway with smiles to beat the band and Ez and his Papa explored construction tv, opting for Bob the Builder in lieu of HGTV.
I’ll be back to writing and reading and gardening in a snap – or as soon as I find those overly charmed socks.
Lifeonthecutoff's Blog 
This visit has got to be better than Spring, Penny. It does seem like Ezra was just born to me, too. I couldn’t believe the lakes were still frozen last week in Minneapolis when we flew in there. I hope things are better and warmer your way. We’re all due for a pleasant round of warm weather. It was a surprise to me to get home and find that I couldn’t see out of my windows for all the leafy green. 🙂
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It is better than Spring, Andra. They are a delight.
Amazing, this weather, isn’t it? We had an inch or so of snow last night. It is melted, but, we are so ready for green. As we crossed the river into MN, we could see ice, still, and frozen lakes, though tulips were starting to poke their noses. Enjoy all that leafy green.
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SO much fun to read. I can feel your joy and your smiles all this distance away. I love all the details. Thank you!
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You are welcome, Nan. Isn’t it fun to be a grandmother? I look forward to seeing what more you and Hazel will be up to as time goes on.
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Oh Penny, I can feel your joy from here! How fast those little ones have grown, and what precious time you have had with them. I’d love to have been listening when you explained steam.
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It is amazing how they grow, isn’t it? I always feel so grateful when they come right to us and interact with us at the get-go, Juliet, as weeks and months can go by where they don’t see us. Good parenting on their parents’ part in talking about family.
Ha! It’s hard to explain. Fortunately, my daughter had a firmer grasp.
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Another good time for Grandmas. What a joyous and fun visit. Before you blink, they will be grown up even more. They are adorable and I’m so glad that all of the roadblocks between you and the north have gone away. You and Tom deserve such an enjoyable visit after the long, long winter.
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Love that phrase! We really needed some time with the kids. As I mentioned above to Juliet, I am also so grateful that they come to us and aren’t timid or shy when they haven’t seen us in so long. Well, what more can I say? My heart sings for joy.
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Such sweet photos of the children, Penny. I can just feel your heart expand every time you talk about them. This visit was surely a gift to them as well as to you and Tom, and every time you’re with them they have the joy of seeing the delight reflected in your expression. What precious times! They are growing up so quickly, but I know how much fun each stage is–including the stage where putting stickers all over the place is sheer joy! 🙂
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Thank you, Debra. I will so good to see them as it had beens such a long, long time. Aren’t they a hoot with stickers? Who would have thought such a thing could bring such fun for children – and their grannies?
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At least with grandchildren, we know that it all goes too quickly and we consciously relish each moment…with our own children, people told us these things but we didn’t understand. The children are wonderful, and I am sure they have had a fabulous time with their doting grandparents. Were about to have Liam for one day and then Izzie for 3 days ( 2 overnights) I cant begin to tell you the adventures we have planned ! A lovely post Penny. Jx
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Indeed, we bring a whole new perspective into grandparenting than parenting, don’t we, Janice? I know you will enjoy your day with Liam and your overnights with Izzie. Thank you, Janice.
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They’re a full time job, Penny, but the best full time job in the world. Life becomes instantly more absorbing and interesting as we are drawn into the minds of little ones, and begin questioning as they do. So glad you had a great time. Now for a decent rest!
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No rest for the wicked, as the saying goes, Kate. Catching up, when I’m always behind. Sigh – but, nice to have the warm memories of children to tide me over. You would have appreciated the conversation Kezzie and I had over whether or not my feet really fit into the small slippers on the floor. (my one small feature is my size 6 feet). hehehe She finally looked at me and said “prove it, Yia Yia”. I did.
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Such a happy time — so glad you were able to make the trip. Brings back wonderful memories.
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So good to have those memories, isn’t it Sallie? I need to show them those photos of the fox your son took.
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I missed you but had a feeling you were on the love train to see the grands! In this digital age, the Kodak moments are easier to share. They are growing too fast! What do they feed those kids? Am so glad your trip was perfect in every way. Welcome Home!
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While I sometimes miss those actual packets of pictures, Marilyn, this digital age has opened up so many ways of family and friend sharing. I don’t have photos in my wallet, but, I do have thousands digitally, which is no exaggeration. The kids are growing like weeds, but, much more fun to “dig”.
Ha! Everything, healthy, from chicken to hummus. So much fun.
Thank you. Good to be home.
Beautiful day here with sunshine and all things green popping up.
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A very late question I have is do little girls still play with paper dolls? And how about Raggedy Ann? Thanks!
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Never late for a question, Marilyn (though my response is tardy. Kezzie does have a Raggedy Ann doll and last I saw it, Ann looked pretty well loved. Right now, she loves stickers and is honing her coloring skills. I have seen paper dolls at stores, but, they don’t have the same look as when we were children, which is probably just my own nostalgia playing out. As children, we played, a lot with paper dolls – and the Sears and Wards catalogues. We’d carefully cut out the models and redress them with other clothes. Now look what you’ve done, Marilyn. You’ve set me off on a trail of remembering. Thank you for that.
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What better reasons could there be for neglecting blogging than these two little darlings, Penny? They are young for so short a time, so you don’t want to waste any of the precious hours you have with them. Catch up with yourself and then we’ll catch up with you. 🙂
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The best excuse I can think of, Perpetua. I am still catching up – but, with gladness. It was such fun to be with them. I’m already feeling the passing of time as they are growing so fast. Each stage is so precious – and who knows, perhaps I’ll be borrowing one of their musical instruments one day, like you are. Hope you are continuing to enjoy your new skill.
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