Sometimes parents need time to themselves. I remember how much I appreciated when my inlaws would take our kids for a week in the summer or an occasional weekend. And now it is our delight to pass on the gift of relaxation to our kids. We’ve often taken the oldest three for a few days, but this was our first with the toddler. In fact, it was the toddler’s first night apart from her mom ever! And she was a champ.
Hanna and Craig arrived with their three (ages 10. 8, and 3) Friday for lunch and departed shortly afterward. When the next-door cousin (age 7.5) arrived home from school, the fun began. Friday’s weather was lovely, and the girls spent hours on the trampoline. The littlest got cold and came in a bit earlier.
On Saturday, the weather was rainy, and on Sunday, it snowed! They still got some outside time (aka trampoline time) but it wasn’t quite as enticing as on Friday. We did this space puzzle, even though it looked “too haaaaard” at first. 200 pieces and rated for ages 8+. Even the toddler did her part by hoarding pieces and continually asking, “goes there?” They were pretty proud of themselves upon completion and figured we should glue it to a board and hang it on the wall. Nice try, girls.
My son and his wife live next door. They had all of us over for a couple of meals and invited the girls to play there sometimes, too. Lots of Minecraft! Their daughter spent the night with her cousins Saturday night. The toddler was already in bed when the big girls ganged up on Grampa for bedtime hugs.
We’d fully intended to brave church Sunday morning, but there had been too many sniffles and coughs to feel comfortable taking them in public.
When the toddler got bored of Minecraft, one of the big girls brought her back here, and she and I played with the train set for a long time. She’s so articulate and fun these days! Best of all, both Grampa and I got lots of snuggles, and it didn’t always require cell phone games to get them.
I’m in several Trim Healthy Mama groups on Facebook, and one of the discussions that frequently comes up is how to get kids to eat veggies. All I can say is, my kids and their spouses are raising their girls right. These four packed away more food, including tons of vegetables and an entire bag of grapes and another of halo oranges, with appreciation and gusto. Even the toddler, with whom food is a bit hit or miss, ate a wide variety really well.
Sure, I tried to make food that would appeal to them (like bagel dogs), but they were super appreciative of everything. The bagel dogs got two thumbs up and a five out of five, but a goulash made with ground beef, peas, Dreamfields macaroni, and cheesy tomato sauce got a million out of a million. Take that! LOL.
Their parents arrived late afternoon on Sunday. After supper together, tired girls hugged their cousin goodbye and headed for home with big smiles. Yes, their grampa and I soaked up absolute silence for the rest of the evening, but we’d do it again in a heartbeat!
To see the girls when they were younger, click here.
