I'm Too Old for This! -- Part 3 of the Family Visit

It started innocently enough. 2 months ago my daughter asked if I'd like to keep her two kids for 5 days when she and her husband came for a visit this summer. They planned to visit for 2 weeks, but the first week she wanted to travel with her husband while he worked in Canada if I would keep the kids. Truthfully, I may be crazy, but I was excited! I couldn't wait!

Then the day drew closer. I started thinking about what toys I needed, how I would keep them busy, what activities we could do. There is the vision... order, activities, control...

And then there is reality...

Staying with my grandkids during the day is one thing, but when I realize I'm responsible for them while their parents are away I'm always a little apprehensive. Willing, looking forward to it, Sure! But aware of the responsibility!

Day 1: 6:00am--everyone is up to say bye to Mom and Dad. Terror, Apprehension, Excitement, Happy--how do you feel all four at once? I do.

Paberry laughs as he sees me scope out the PBS and Nick Jr. Schedule. When is Curious George on??? A MOST important question. Answer: 8:00am and 3:30pm. Followed by Sesame Street.
I am armed with knowledge.

11:00am--I take the kids to Fun For All, the local arcade, and ball pit. Warren disappears as soon as his shoes are off. Samantha is too little to climb up into the gigantic climbing house, and I'm too old to go up with her. (I don't bend well enough anymore.) "Emily" (9?) offers to help Sam up to the next level. Off they go.

Watching them play and searching for arcade games Warren can do is fun. I don't get to do 'grandma' stuff like this very often. But I'm not naïve. It's day 1. This is as much an adventure for them as it is for me. And adventures can wear off when things become routine.

Warren and Samantha help me make dinner. We mix and roll meatballs, and then make muffins. Dinner will be a hit as long as there are muffins!

7:00pm--Was it the muffins? These kids are crazy! Warren has been 'building towns' all over the house with blocks. He and Samantha are zooming everywhere, singing (loudly), building 'Maggie gates' with pillows. transforming orderly into.....? "Vision" is gone. "Reality" is here.

Dinner, bath, bed....the day has gone smoothly, but I am tired. I grab a shower and then sink into the couch. Ahh, shhh....do you hear that? Peace!

Day 2: 6:00am--REALLY?? I have to get up now? If I want to get up before the munchkins roll out of bed and are off and running, the answer is yes. Brushing my teeth I can barely see myself in the mirror. I'm an 8am person. Not 6.

11:00am--We've made Play Doh. The sky is gray but the weather man has promised it will clear this afternoon. I desperately need to mow the grass and most of the week has rain in the forecast. I sit down to check the weather. The local forecast is about to come on. The couch is comfy. ....

"Granberry? Are you asleep?"

OOPs. I open one eye and give a little nod to Warren. The local forecast has just ended!  Thank goodness for DVR. I replay the forecast. If I can get the energy, I'll be able to mow while Samantha naps. But for now, I can't budge off the couch. Yep. It's only been 30 hours and already I'm beat. 3 more days to go.

9:00pm--"OW."

That's all I can say. My feet hurt, my back is so tight it is hard to stand up. I have no idea why I feel so tired. I've mowed the grass for the last 6 years so that shouldn't be it. But whatever it is, I hurt. Sam is in bed, but not asleep. Warren just went to bed and crashed. My shower is done.

I'm done. OW.

Day 3: 6:00am.--Here we go again. I'm amazed. Advil kicked in while I slept and this morning I feel fine!

It's sunny but storms are on the way. We hit the playground first thing in the morning (after I remembered to slather on their sunscreen--what a good grandma am I!) and then came home for lunch. Sam napped. I did errands. I think I'm hitting my stride.

Last night, as I brushed Sam's hair, she leaned against me and said "I like you Granberry." Ahh, no sweeter words for a long-distance grandma!

Today, she loves me enough to start ignoring me. She ran away when I called her, 3 times! (The kids are hitting their stride, too.) Both learned what 'quiet time' meant, and Sam discovered Granberry can be tough, as I took away her two pink kitties for not listening to me.

We may have reached an understanding as manners were now on high display during dinner. But the after dinner crazy time continues! I haven't mastered the art of settling them down to sleep.

Day 4: 6:00am--Sleep! Please!! A bad storm last night had me awake for over an hour. With every thunder clap I had to check and see if it woke up the kids. They, of course, slept through the storm, but were up by 6:30.

Instantly they were into everything and each other. Larry just looked, shook his head, and said, "It looks like you're in for a rough one."

8:00am--Curious George--better known as Granberry's Magic Moment-- is on. Ah, Quiet. The key is to keep them focused. As soon as George is over, we head outside to ride bikes. (Take advantage of sun when it's here! It's supposed to rain in the afternoon.)

10:00am.--Kids are at the kitchen table with the Activity Box. Do-A-Dots, paper, foam, markers for Warren. Sam has a tub of mixed dried beans she is measuring, scooping, and pouring. I've vacuumed, done 2 loads of wash, and the dishwasher is finishing up. Peace reigns. I'm feeling pretty good about myself!

10:45am.--I was only out of the room for 3 minutes! I swear! (Maybe 4, but still!!!) I checked something on the computer and came back to see 2 cups of dried beans scattered on the kitchen floor! "WHAT happened?" I asked. Warren ducks his head busily working on his project.

"I have no idea," he says.

I ask Sam. "I don't know." she answers innocently.

11:30am--Sam is almost finished picking up all the beans. Gotta give it to her, she can stick to a task.

2:00pm--Sam is down for a nap. I carry the last load of laundry upstairs to put away. Maggie follows me. We both eye our beds. I lay down for a sec. Maggie does the same.

It feels so good, but I have visions of a police officer at the door asking me why the "5 year old is 3 blocks down near the busy highway". Inspired, I drag myself downstairs, but I have a new understanding for news stories when 'the mother was sleeping while her toddler wandered away from the house." I'm too old for this, I think to myself.

How, I wonder, do all those young moms have time to hop on Facebook and post pictures of their adorable kids? I've barely had time to look at my iPhone, and I fall asleep watching the weather!

Day 5: 6:00am--Waking up is a little easier. Is it becoming more natural, or is it because I know today is the last day I will have to be up before the two little ones? Tonight, their mom and dad are coming home. Tomorrow, Jan will be the one to wake up early! YEA!!! That sounds pretty good!

4:00pm--We are on our way to Chambersburg to see Nanny. The rest of the family will meet us there for a mini-family reunion. I can't wait to see everyone!

Jan calls to let me know that they are stuck in LaGuardia Airport for the 2nd time this week. They don't know when they will get in. A series of phone calls ensue as they explore options. "Mom, you're sounding a little panicky! Ready to get rid of two little kids?" she asks?

OK...here comes confession time. Up to this point this post was written several weeks ago while I was taking care of the kids.

Jan, Mike and Larry finally made it to Chambersburg at 11:30pm. I was sitting in a dark hotel room while my two angels slept waiting for their mommy and daddy.

With the passage of time I can look back with some perspective. I am no longer exhausted. My ears are no longer ringing. A happy surprise....I lost 2 pounds that week )and it has stayed off!) My house has returned to normal...a house for 2 and not for 10. Already I miss everyone. Yes, I am too old for this.

But I bet I'd do it again in a heartbeat.