Monday, March 14, 2011

A Grandma Weekend


(Mary Englebreit calendar)

How did I do it?  How did I raise two sons?  The above picture maybe sums up the why and how! Hubby and I did a pretty good job, too!  I worked full time with my own business, cooked meals (most nights), kept a clean house, attended all the boys' school and sports functions, and still had energy left over. Organization is always my secret weapon.

Now, my boys are 28 and soon to be 30, and I'm so glad I had babies when I was very young!  It's not easy.   Parents need to have that youthful energy, which I hate to say I no longer have for long periods at a time.

My oldest son and family were here for the weekend, from about noon on Friday until noon Sunday.  It was a very nice weekend but I'm worn out!  In a good way.   I had the three kids mostly by myself on Friday.  Austin and Melissa had several errands to take care of and Hubby was working.  I have to say, they are very well behaved kids, but it's still a lot of work that I'm just not used to on a daily basis.  I love having them here, though.  I had made a taco casserole ahead of time for lunch.  Austin and Melissa brought Chinese home for dinner.  We had a relaxing evening just watching TV. (Well, relaxing with three kids takes on a different level than when I'm home alone with Hubby)

Saturday morning started out with homemade waffles and fresh strawberries.
After breakfast, Austin and Melissa got into the old photo albums.  I've always taken a lot of pictures, but in the days before digital cameras or even computers, I kept them all in chronological order in albums and scrapbooks.  Now most of my pictures for at least the last two years is on my computer.  I really should have a lot of them printed because  they spent hours flipping through pages of books enjoying all the old pictures.

Hours later, Austin was still sitting on the floor with his memories.

Logan, my oldest grandchild and very special to all of us, is six years old and loves television, video games, movies, the computer, and anything of the like.  He's an expert at video games.  We got a Wii game for Christmas so that they could have it here at our house when they came to visit.  This is where Logan spends most of his time.
As you can see on the TV screen.  He wouldn't even look at me for a picture until he paused his game.
Logan is such a beautiful, unique, sweet, loving and lovable little boy.

Landen, our second grandchild is now 5.  His Bobby (they call us Bobby and Nina, by their choice, not by our insistence) is his best bud and he clings to his Bobby like glue.

  I don't know what they were looking at, but they then got the binoculars to see whatever it was even better.
In order to give Bobby and Landen a little time apart, we suggested that Landen sit and color Bobby some pictures that we could hang on the refrigerator.
That worked for a little while.  That's red marker on his cheek!

Poor little baby Leanna has a cold and an ear infection, so she was just a little bit fussy.  Otherwise she's such a good baby.  She's now 9 months old.  Her poor little nose was so stuffy so Mommy gave her a nice warm bath to clear up her congestion a little bit.
She loves splashing around in the water.  Then she got cuddled up in warm jammies and was happy and content with her bottle.
I spent the whole Saturday just basically cooking, cleaning, holding the baby, getting snacks for the boys and monitoring game and TV time.

Austin and Melissa went to some friends' house for dinner and for the evening.  This gave them a night out with friends they hadn't seen in a long time and some much needed time alone without kids.  It was a busy evening for me.  Did I mention they brought their dog, too?  My evening with kids is just different than what I'm normally doing.  I certainly can't sit and knit while watching TV!  Forget it!  The baby was very fussy but finally went to bed about 9:00.  And Logan wouldn't leave the TV turned off after his 9:00 curfew.  I'd go up to check on him and he'd have the TV turned back on again.  I finally got it all under control and I have to admit that I was exhausted!

Sunday morning, Grandpa Bobby got up with the boys and I got up with the baby.  I baked cinnamon rolls, changed a diaper, fed the baby a bottle, let the dogs out, and the clocks were set an hour ahead so it read 8:00, but really it was still feeling like 7:00 am.  Then I noticed that Logan hadn't been seen and there he was downstairs in front of the Wii game without me even knowing it!  Who knows what time he got up and sneaked down there.

By the time they all left at noon, I realized I never brushed my teeth or washed my face for a day!  This is when I'm so glad I had my children very young!  And weekends like this are why I'm so glad to be a Grandma to my beautiful grandchildren!

I'm linking to Show Off Your Cottage Monday.  I usually show off a room or something in my house, but decided to share what goes on in my house this Monday.

10 comments:

Vee said...

Oh you are my hero! ☺ After just four hours of both grands, I was closely watching the clock for my son to come get them. "Exhausting" is exactly the word. Well done!

Theresa said...

WOW, I am needing a nap JUST from reading your blog! I know you enjoyed having the family BUT it does make you appreciate a day alone:)

Have a blessed and hopefully RESTFUL day! HUGS!

DJan said...

Lordy, Nina, I was tired just READING about your weekend. It's true that having them when you are young is the hot ticket, but grands keep you on your toes, that's for sure.

Looking forward to learning more about PDD and the rest.

Sharon said...

Yep, the time to have your kids is when you are still one too! I had one of those "change your life" babies just before I turned 44 and let me tell you, a whole different game. I have 4 grandchildren older than he is, so he had playmates, but...

Exhausting is the perfect word!

Grandmabeckyl.blogspot said...

Don't ya just love the grandchildren? It's amazing how much energy we had when we were younger and that's why we had children then,not now! But I love my adult children and grands. Have a great day!

Valerie said...

Lovely, lovely post, Nina, though I'm sorry to hear that Logan has PDD. Your activities did sound exhausting, it's amazing how quickly we grow out of looking after children. I wouldn't know where to start these days.

Anonymous said...

I could not imagine having a child now and trying to do all the things I did with my son when we were both growing up.
I did not know about PDD. I am familiar with variations on Autism and will have to learn more about this as well.

Erin @ House on Hope said...

I love reading your stories, Nina! I call myself a "homebody" in the dearest sense that home is my haven, and I have a feeling you might be a homebody too! ;) Erin

Susan said...

Hi Nina! Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting.

I enjoyed reading about your grandkid weekend! You look SO YOUNG to be a Grammie but I'll bet you are a great one. They are all so sweet, especially that granddaughter...what a darling.

Please stop by anytime. Sincerely, Susan

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hi Nina,

So nic to meet you. Thanks for coming by my blog, and for becoming my newest follower. Yes, it sounds like we have a lot in common. Sorry to hear your little Logan has PPD. Sounds like you had a fun, but loooong weekend! I will visit again.

Debbie

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