Living Grandpa
This week we have been the port in the storm. My daughter and her husband are remodeling
their main bathroom this week, so their home is full of noise, dust and
contractors. My daughter and her two
children (3.5 & 1.5 years old) are spending the days with us. It has been a terrific opportunity to not
just be grandpa, but to live grandpa. I
have been discovering just how limited my knowledge and vocabulary is. Here are some of the knew things I have come
to learn and better appreciate:
There is something referred to as “inside screaming”. I had heard, and have even used the concept
of inside and outside voices, but apparently now inside screaming is a
thing. The little one, when overly excited,
can squeal at such a pitch that I am unsure of why all the glasses in the
cupboards have not shattered. When he
gets this way, you must remind him to use inside screaming. I assume, considering that he is a very bright
child, that he understands and readily complies; I just can’t tell the
difference.
I thought that the island in the kitchen was something
used for cooking and baking and drinking coffee by. While that part is still true, (my wife
proved it today by baking Valentine heart cookies), the main purpose of the
island now is to serve as the infield for the track used to chase each other
around. I have to admit that it looks
like more fun than cooking.
Apparently there is a rule that when grandchildren are
present, grandfathers go to the end of the line when it comes to snitching said
Valentine coolie dough. I had to
actually agree to place cookies in and take them out of the oven to ‘earn’ a
pinch of dough. Just being present and cute
was suddenly insufficient funds.
I was reminded once again that my fishing hat is actually intended to be play hat. I do feel good that Danny doesn't wear it to look like a cowboy, or an action hero; he wears it to look like Grandpa. I think it looks good on him.
The same child can that turns on the water to fill the
sink half up to dabble and play in like a little mallard duck, and fill up
every large summer glass, complete with ice cubes and twisty straws, only needs
a very quick dab of a somewhat-moist facecloth to consider herself (hands and
face) completely clean from lunch.
I learned that one of the best ways to tell someone
that you are happy is to say that you feel “all giggly” inside. Although that sounds like all is well on the
inside, I also heard the question asked if the children had “wigglies to get
out”. It must be quite conflicting to
have giggles and wiggles inside you at the same time. How do kids today even function?
It is apparently hilarious now to a two-year-old to
run toward you, stop five feet away and then call out “Grandpa! – GRANDpa!!,
GRANDPA!!! Answering back doesn’t help. He’s going to call out all three times
regardless.
Something that is not new is the wonder that a three-year-old
who displays more energy all day than the Eveready Bunny, suddenly loses all
power, as if unplugged, when told that it is time to pick up the toys. I have observed this phenomenon before, but I
was reminded this week how suddenly all energy can drain from little legs and
hands.
Worst of all, I have rediscovered just how quiet the
house gets when they leave. “Say, Shelly, when will the kids be her tomorrow?”
His Peace <><
Deacon Dan
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