...across the room to share R.J. and T.J. with you.....

Time for another post although I have to admit I am more tired tonight than I was last time I made an entry. Babies really do rule homes. They dictate if and when you eat, brush your teeth, sleep, shower, answer the phone, dress, respond to the doorbell, and go to the bathroom. They come first and that is how it is. So how is it we put up with these little dictators? Because they are just so unbelievably adorable, sweet, helpless, dependent and fun to watch! Every twitch of the face and movement of the body is different from any other baby and the three adults in this home could sit and watch this five day old newcomer for hours.

However there is a seven year old (R.J.) and a five year old (T.J.) in this home as well and I have to say they are equally precious and entertaining. Like yesterday when I was trying to explain something to T.J. and she admonished me with "Nana, can you be more pis-tif-ick (specific)?" And today when she hid from me in the park as we were waiting for the school bus I stood behind a tree to play the game with her not knowing that she thought I had left and she was alone in the park. We talked about it; I listened as she scolded me for hiding behind the tree and then I explained that I knew she was trying to hide from me but she needed to stick close to Nana while waiting for the school bus and not run off like that. I asked her what she was doing behind the statue and she said "I was praying" after which she said "Amen! Because I did not say amen yet!" Tonight I helped her say her bedtime prayer and she prayed "Please help Nana not to hide from me again and I'm sorry for doing it in the first place! AMEN!" T.J. and I perform concerts for each other by playing her toy guitar. We make up our own songs, words and melodies. My favourite song of hers is a "God Song" and goes something like this: "I know that You are here, I know that You love me, thank you for my health and thank you for myself; You are always faithful and hell is not!"

Big brother R.J. is the perfect little man! So considerate and full of life! On the way to the bus today I asked him what his favourite thing about school is. He named off a ream of specifics followed by "Oh, I guess I like EVERYTHING about school!" The temps this morning were lower than I thought they would be. He observed that I was somewhat chilly as I walked beside him with my hands in my jacket pockets. We hadn't walked far when he held out his hand for mine and as we walked hand in hand he asked "There, are you a little warmer now, Nana?" I had only spent one night here when he wanted to know whether the mattress I was sleeping on was comfortable enough, "Because if it is not I want to offer my bed to you" he said.

They've turned my heart into a puddle and I'm sure I would do anything for these interesting and precious little people in my life! I feel so fortunate that my kids would have me in their home for an entire month; that I am in a position to be able to do this kind of thing and that my husband supports my desire to be with our daughter and her family right now even though it means he is left to do all the things I usually do at home. Children (and grandchildren) truly are a very precious gift from God and I feel BLESSED beyond words!

...across the room to fall?

What a day!  Was I always sweating like this when I was a young Mommy or is it just the Nana's that work so hard at looking after these little charges?  I could have used 13 showers today but there was no time for that!  We had things to do and places to visit.

The day started off with a trip to the lake (missed church this morning....sorry Mommy & Daddy) for lunch and a walk-about.  Sadly the little princess fell and wrecked up her knees after which she walked around with her skirt bunched up at her waist exposing her diaper and tummy for all the world to see because nothing and no one could touch those poor knees after that.

By the time we got home she was feeling so incredibly sorry for herself she pretty well put herself down for a nap and slept 2 1/2 hours!

Meanwhile my little guy made friends with "Poppy" the neighbour and as you can see the infatuation is reciprocated!  They have a date for 10:30 AM tomorrow for their second walk.

It took some convincing but they finally agreed to be taken to a different playground than the usual one and ended up loving it.  After begging some cheese for both of them off a family trying to have a private little picnic I scooped up the little princess and took them both home for our very own sausage and pasta picnic.  

We've all had lots of fresh air, plenty of activity, giggles and laughter, and oodles of talks and we are so ready for a good night's sleep.  One of my favourite "talks" tonight was hearing the princess say "This is the best days ever!" and my little man asking how many arms I thought God might have.  Could it be a million?"

Tomorrow they go back home and right now I can't even imagine coming home to an empty house so I won't go there just yet!  

....across the room for crocs, shades and Royalty....

The Royals have graced our home once again and that usually means the writer suffers from "bleary, dry and burning eyes" for a few days.  By dinner time tonight I wondered if I had ever felt this tired before.  Nothing has changed except for the fact that they're a little older this time.  It just means they' ve got more energy than last time and a lot more than I've ever had!

Requests for breakfast this morning were made last night and included "bacon, eggs and toast, although I won't have any toast"!  I made the toast too.  The itinerary today was written in stone before I had a chance to review it.  "I need a pweasent" meant a trip to the mall for new crocs.  It was easier than anticipated what with the little princess doing all her own negotiating....."Man, can I have Dowa Cwocs?"  and "Man, I need to see dis one!"  and a little later, "Man, I need some shades!"  They entertained the staff enough to leave the store with big fat sugar laden donuts.  One each!  UGG!  Getting the shades required a trek down the mall past the store that sells the dreaded scooters!  Lucky for the little man they were half price and this Nana could not resist!  He's such a natural....just hopped on and started doing stunt-ery type stuff much to this Nana's chagrin!!

McD's is a given for lunch and after that came a special request for the "Pet Store".  Ever tried dragging a three year old away from "fish-ees"?  Let's just say EVERYBODY in the store heard and saw us leave!

Nap time is our, er, my favourite part of the afternoon.  The princess was in dire need of it and it's always a special time for the little man to have some one-on-one Nana time.  We washed the front door, window, one side window which apparently was "extremely dirty" and then we played.  It was mentioned during this playtime that some chocolate chip muffins would be really good to eat out of doors on a sunny day like today!  In twenty-five minutes we munched on chocolate chip muffins INSIDE!  It was illustrated to me how much better they are when dunked in milk!  This Nana is still not convinced.

Next on the aforementioned agenda was a trip to the park they never get tired of going to.  As usual they met new friends and the little princess ended up running after a grown up man pushing him and saying "I'M the king!"  Apparently he was not welcome on the play structure she wanted to play on.  I noticed he just couldn't stay away and enjoyed the "game" as much as she did.  Meanwhile his own three little guys were playing on a different structure with his girlfriend!!  

Dinner was to be at our house and the request was for Nana's soup and hot dogs but without the bun.  The soup was creamed and hid some of the nasty veggies that some people I know would turn their noses up at.  Mushrooms, green beans, celery, onions (YES, onions!) and potato were enthusiastically slurped up!

Dinner was followed by baths and then to end the night a hilarious movie complete with popcorn!  Where do they leave all that food!!

And so once again, my usual orderly house has that decidedly lived in look and I for one would rather see a coffee table laden with little plastic dishes and toys than a fancy candle holder any day!  Sweet dream, little ones!  Tomorrow is another HEAVY day!!

...across the room for two year olds....

Grandparenting brings me back to my days of raising two bright energetic youngsters who drained me dry, ran me ragged, brought me to my knees, infused my very being with love and joy beyond measure, and taught me more about love than any book ever could.  

Going back there, I don't know that there were any years more frustrating than those terrible two's!  It's like having a multiple personality being in your home.  Sweet as sugar most of the time and completely and utterly unreasonable and unconsolable the rest of the time.  And why do they have no trouble understanding what no means when they use the word and yet seem to be mentally incapable of comprehending what it means from the next person!  This was the predicament at the dinner table last night.  We both knew she was hungry.  She begged for food while I was cooking.  I knew she liked what I made.  For some reason she got messed up in her head and had the idea that dessert ought to be the first course.  I won't divulge what transpired for the next 1 1/2 hours but will tell you that ninety minutes later I held her like a baby, with one arm behind me (her arm, that is) and fed her.  She ate most of what was on her plate.  

This child tried everything to get me to do what she wanted me to do.  Anger expressed in various ways, regret expressed through "I so sorry Nana" and reaching for me, mournful yet forceful sobbing into her hands with her elbows on the table (this was heart wrenching to watch!!... and almost did me in!) and a few other tricks that didn't work on me either.  It reminded me that a two year old is a control freak and MUST NOT win this battle.  She had no idea that I have many more years of stubbornness on her and recognize the games.  Hard to believe that a little person like this can even come up with all the tactics.  Food and bodily functions are the two control issues that I think most children will use against their parents for as long as possible.  No wonder the potty training and introducing all the food groups are so frustrating for most parents. 

Breakfast and lunch today were calm and serene.  She gobbled down her food and gladly went down for her nap.  She really is the sweetest little thing in the world and happens to find herself at that very tough age of life!  I am confident her parents are also well aware of the two year old tactics, have experienced many episodes and are in control of the situation.  I had forgotten just how intense things can get until she jarred my memory!!

The life of a seven year old is certainly more calm than a two year old.  He understands rules (we only had two....it was enough) and once he decides to comply life is pretty easy and enjoyable.  He did make a comment to me that brought back memories of his Mom who was much older than he is when she said the very same thing to me in almost the same words!!...."I want to make my own rules!"  (incidentally, Mommy, I suggested he speak to you in depth about that!!  Ha!)

We take them back home with mixed feelings but it is always good to know they are intensely loved, taken care of and blessed with their Mommy and Daddy who are anxiously waiting for them at home!!

...across the room to let you know "they're back"!!

....the grandbabies, that is!  The two hour ride seemed shorter than usual and definitely more entertaining than my CD's.  I love to look at my surroundings through the eyes of a two year old.  The conversation went something like this:

Rowan:  Oh look Nana.  It's a choo-choo!  

Nana:  Yes, Rowan I see the choo-choo.

Rowan:  Oh no Nana.  Where da choo-choo go?

Nana:  The choo-choo went away.

Rowan:  Oh look Nana.  It's a twee!

Nana:  Yes, Rowan, there's a tree.

Rowan:  Oh no Nana.  Where da twee go?

Nana:  The tree is behind us.

Rowan:  Oh look Nana.  It's a big twuck!

Nana:  Yes, Rowan, I see the big twuck, er, truck.

Rowan:  OH NO Nana, where da twuck go?

Nana:  The truck is going bye-bye.

Rowan looking out at a huge wheat field:  Oh look Nana.  Sticks!

....and on and on and on.....

She is at this moment safely tucked in bed while her "big" brother gets to stay up later and chat!

...across the room over and over again #2.....

         ...FRIDAY turned out to be another activity

filled day  trying to keep the two little rascals from getting bored.

Thankfully Papa was home to help relieve the boredom. Morning and evening motorbike rides for Papa and Declan were included in our busy agenda. Meanwhile the women had some shopping to do.  Miss Rowan was a trooper as I dragged her from store to store until she yawned and informed me "I'm tired.  I want to nap!"  What two year old says THAT?!

After lunch (complete with many candle lighting ceremonies again) and a nap,   everyone agreed a trip to the park was in order.  Going to the park is a piece of cake when the Papa is present to do the running after the two year old!! 

 

Later, bath time was so much more fun with some new Dora and Diego bath toys and everyone was ready for a good night's sleep. 

 

The pace in our home Saturday mornings tends to be slow and relaxing.  Compare that to trying to cook bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee, hot chocolate, clearing the toys off the table, trying to look modest in a robe that keeps rearranging itself,  to chants like "I hungwee!", "Juice?", "Nana, is it ready yet?  I'm starving!"  "My tummy hurts!"  "I POOPED!" and others I can't remember!  Meanwhile Papa is tearing around the house after the two year old who continually teases him with "Papa, you gotta GET me!"

After breakfast and staggered showers for the adults in order to provide police presence for our energetic inquisitive house guests it was time to pack the bags for the trip back home.  For some reason there was more to pack for the return trip.  Could it have anything to do with the women's shopping spree?!  I didn't mention that during nap time the little man and I enjoyed another shopping spree!  It's all about equality and keeping everything fair!

It felt a little sad to drop them off at their home and oddly enough we don't seem to be in any great hurry to tidy up the house yet.  It just looks like somebody REALLY lives here!!

 

....across the room over and over and over and over...

Our quiet, peaceful, relatively neat retreat has recently become a den of music, Ratatouille replays, squeals and shrieks of laughter, tea parties, ping pong games and bed time routine revamping!  Our refrigerator  is bulging with chocolate puddings, apple juice, cheese, M & M's, cookies and other delectables people our age should be ashamed to have in the house.   I don't even want to talk about what lurks in the pantry!  They like candles even more than we do....especially extinguishing them!  I probably lit the kitchen table candles ten times during our last meal.  Declan is a pro at roasting wieners with Papa; Rowan's idea of hot dogs is to eat the bun around the wiener  corn on the cob style until all that's left is the whole wiener!  I'm to eat that part!  She has no ice cream cone issues though.  My apologies to her Mom for not wiping the ketchup off her face before taking pictures!  

My days seem to have so many more hours in them now.  We were up and about by 6:20 AM, made Papa's bag lunch, ate breakfast, and dressed for our 7:45 AM walk in the park with my friends. Normally I grab my running shoes and socks (or one shoe and two socks, or two shoes and one sock...the other sock is often on the driveway when I get back home!) and dash out the door to meet my friends.  Today we transferred the car seats from the car to the truck, put the stroller on the box, made six trips back and forth from the house to the truck, from the car to the truck, from the garage to the truck, from the shed to the truck before we finally got going. Our walk was delayed by wrist protectors, knee protectors, elbow protectors, helmet, and roller blades which my friend patiently helped the little man with.  Suffice it to say the walk seemed so much longer than our usual hour.  We came home, packed a picnic lunch and made our way to another city park.  (Note to self:  Do not spread picnic lunch for two year old in plain sight of playground EVER!)  Two hours of lunch and running back and forth to catch Rowan coming down the slide and pushing Declan on the swings, running after Rowan from station to station, I was about ready to convulse!  We maneuvered out of our parking spot with much unsolicited advice, ducking and sucking in of breath by a seven year old who thought we would fall into the woods with the back end of the truck!  It caused a set back for me and brought on a case of hot flashes I have not experienced before!  Thank the Lord for nap times.  I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer and I needed an energy infusion.  Unfortunately seven year olds don't nap, and don't realize naps in four minute intervals are mostly disturbing.  I love bath time.  I make sure the two little rascals are safely tucked into their beds, fast asleep before I slip into my big soaker tub for a good long muscle relaxing soak (reminder:  add epsom salts next time!).          

...across the room for Royalty, The Day After Day 7...

The house is SO QUIET today!  There are still cheerios in the box in the pantry, whole milk in the refrigerator, and from my comfy chair I can spot yet another toy between the wall unit and speaker!  Last week was SO busy, SO tiring, and SO much FUN!  I remember being a young mom of two, weary of all the three word sentences and craving adult interaction and conversation.  At this stage of my life however, I long to explore the minds of these little ones. It really is a learning experience to be reminded of life from their perspective!  I love their way of expressing feelings and thoughts and I have to say that a child's sense of humour is absolutely priceless!  Children bring laughter and love in huge doses into a home.  Nothing can compare to those verbal and demonstrative expressions of love from a child. I miss it already!  I feel like I have lived on a different planet for a week.  It was a refreshing place to be and a good reminder to me of what my daughters are doing every day!  These two precious little people walked across all the rooms of my house many times throughout this past week.  I can still hear the pitter patter of those little feet as they buzzed through the house in a game of hide and seek with Papa.

Inevitably the time came for them to walk out the door for their journey back home.  They did this with smiles on their faces as they looked forward to seeing their Dad, Zac the cat, and the familiar surroundings of their own home.  I know from the relaxed and rejuvenated look on their Mom's face that she is ready to plunge into the routine again and enjoy the pleasure of mothering and family life.  And that's how it should be!

...across the room for Royalty, Day 6...

Pictures during bath time I can deal with but I'm 

out of here to brush my teeth in private!

Declan skating at the Family

Leisure Centre this afternoon 

What an amazing day we've had!  So filled with fun and excitement!  Let's see, some highlights included the hilarious hour of hide and seek with Papa this morning; cooking lunch with Nana; an hour of skating for Declan at the Family Leisure Centre; mid-afternoon nachos and movie time; pizza supper; bath time followed by the P.J. Bedtime Story Book after which  two little munchkins were oh so ready for bed!   And a good time was had by all! 

...across the room for Royalty, Day 5...

If I have to I can do anything.  I am strong.  I am invincible.  I am WOMAN!  Those are just some of the words from Helen Redy's song of ages ago that for some reason have surfaced in my mind this week.  Today I was thinking that maybe I've got the hang ...... NO, not 'got' ...... getting would be closer to the truth ....  of managing a house and all that entails as well as 'managing' two young charges.  I've often wondered how Sarah of the Old Testament handled having a baby at 80 years of age!  That is a miracle to be sure.  But what about raising that child?  If you have to, you can do anything!!!  I would never have dreamed it was possible to accomplish all I've had to do this week with these two tagging along.  I even went to the paint store to choose a new colour and buy paint!  Play time at the park is still a love/hate activity. Fun while we're there but don't try getting a two year old to leave unless they're ready (I don't how long that is!)  It took two of us to de-claw her off the swing today.  Where do they get their strength from anyway?!

I still got lots of play time in today, laundry washed and folded and a big spread of roast chicken, potato, carrots, peas, salad and home made blueberry pie for dinner tonight, impressing the socks off the painter who wasn't going to stay for dinner until my hubby told him what we were having!

It's been a great day and now I'm beginning to wonder what we'll do for noise when the royal duo leaves Sunday!

...across the room for Royalty, Day 4....

Soon I'll lay me down to sleep

I pray my guests don't make a peep

but if they should may they not wake

'til I've had all the sleep I can take!

...across the room for Royalty, Day 3....

What I want to know is what are you supposed to do for the rest of the day when you've had breakfast, watched Veggietales, and baked chocolate chip cookies by 9:15 AM?  The days are long when you're always scratching your head trying to think of things to occupy the royal rascals!  Baking cookies with two little helpers (both experts in the field) (apparently!) was an unforgettable experience.  The princess was all about the Bernard Callibaut Chocolate Chips which she clutched to her little chest as she chanted CHOC-LAT CHIPS! CHOC-LAT CHIPS! CHOC-LAT CHIPS! (higher pitch by this time).  The King cracked the egg into the bowl while I wasn't looking.  When I did look there was egg on the princess, on the kings head and clothes, on the counter and very little in the bowl. We started all over again.  Whatever chocolate chips the royal pair didn't eat made it into the cookie dough and all in all they turned out better than expected.  I'm afraid I let them eat too many cookies today!

Thankfully a friend came for coffee today and was well entertained by the King's Knock Knock jokes!  I don't think she'll ever forget some of them.  His favourite is:  KNOCK KNOCK!  who's there?  ICE CREAM SODA!  ice cream soda who?  ICE CREAM (giggle giggle) SODA WHOLE WORLD (giggle giggle uncontrollably) WILL KNOW (giggle giggle)  WHAT A NUT YOU ARE!!!!

Menu's have gone to the dogs by now.  We don't have any in other words.  The King's palate calls for comfort food these days.  Comfort food as in Kraft Dinner and Turkey Hot Dogs for dinner. We servants ate the leftover lasagna we made yesterday.  We all agreed on ice cream and more chocolate chip cookies for dessert though.  I hope the diapers last!

Going to the park is a piece of cake.  Playing on the equipment and swings is no problem either.   Getting out of the park is a complicated exercise.  It usually means me trying to carry a kicking and screaming princess while the King impatiently waits at the locked vehicle.

Nights are the opposite of days.  Short in other words!  I finally realized why I ache all over in the morning.  I think I'm trying so hard not to disturb the little princess that I tense up all night so as not to waker her.  I wake up feeling like I've done a days work!  I thought I might try sleeping in my own bed tonight however for some reason sleep eludes my little bed partner tonight and therefore I took an aspirin and hope not to have to call anyone in the morning!!  May you all have a blessed and restful night!

...across the room for Royalty, Day 2....

Sleeping with royalty in the house is not the same as sleeping without royalty in the house. Since constant attention is required it seemed only fitting last night that the princess share her bed with me.  Unfortunately this translated into less sleep than usual, for me at least, and waking up several times during the night to a little hand holding on to my nose!... something I'm really not used to at all!

Tonight I'm cross-eyed from watching computer games, playing monopoly, figuring out how to play a kids movie on the new television (OK not all THAT new! but why do there have to be so many options?!), reading a million books and the list goes on.  

The afternoon expedition to the park to wear out the royal highnesses didn't seem to affect them as much as it did me.  While I parked my weary body on the couch for a few minutes following our adventure they were fast forwarding around the house!  Where do they get their energy from I ask you?!

Some things will never wear me out though.  I will never weary of hearing "I love you Nana", "I wuv wu Nana", "ALL RIGHT Nana", the feel of little arms around my neck, and the sight of those naked little bodies in the tub and later in their jammies!  That's day two folks!

...across the room for ROYALTY...

We are going all out this week to provide room, board and entertainment for our long awaited ROYAL guests.  King Declan (age 7) and Princess Rowan (age 2) have graced us with their presence for the week and we are here to serve!  I travelled to Lethbridge to provide our best transportation back to our home and was told the  loaded '08 Toyota Tundra 4 X 4 was too DIRTY!  The music in the vehicle made the king "crazy" and did we not have any other music we could listen to?  The princess did not "get" that I was the one making great sacrifices of time and sleep to meet them early.  She began and ended every sentence with the same word ... "Papa" as in "Papa!  blah boo pooh me ahh pinky poo blah see Papa!"  

I meant it when I said we're here to serve!  My plan was to cook lasagna for dinner however the king seemed partial to pasta with white sauce and chicken.  I made pasta with white sauce and chicken.  Apparently the sauce was not exactly what the queen mother cooks at home. Hers is whiter than mine, which apparently is skin colour!  The princess spotted every piece of chicken and bacon bits on her plate which she placed on the side of her plate and then ate the pasta. Thankfully dessert was to their liking but then I suppose the royal family purchase their ice cream at the supermarket as well.

Bath time is always a challenge.  One can not be sure whether the princess is more accustomed to showers than baths since she refuses to sit in the tub.  When asked if we should wash her tummy with soap she replied "NO!  Blah pooh boo ah no back!" as she pointed to the soap bottle in my hand and then the spot where the soap had been standing!  In time I discovered the way to get things done is "DON'T ASK!  Just do it!"

As the day draws to a close the dishes sit unwashed on the counter, toys, books and games lie scattered around the house, and my beautiful spa bathroom looks like a family of twelve just got ready for church!   I take my little charges downstairs to their rooms for the night.  King Declan watches as I place Princess Rowan in her bed, pats her little head and whispers "Goodnight Peanut!" before he slips into his own private room.  What a protective little man he is!  As I tuck my little princess in bed she focuses those beautiful big eyes on my face and says "I wuv wu Nana" and I can not think of anything I would rather be doing that very moment!