Two weeks ago I was looking forward to having Ben and Andrea visit…and all the grands! Now I can hardly believe they have come and gone! They came to be part of the Mission’s Conference at Beth Eden Baptist Church across town. We knew it was going to be a full schedule at the conference and that we would have to share them. We picked them up at the airport and had them for one night. Then off they went. Sunday evening they presented their video of church planting in the Bronx. We took my parents and Jo and went over for the Sunday night service. The following Sunday night, Ben preached at the close of the conference and we all traipsed across town for that…and brought more family along! Interesting thing about going into a strange church….you are not strangers. You are brothers and sisters in Christ, likeminded. To find we had old friends and acquaintances at Beth Eden was just icing on the cake!
The first afternoon together we took a walk around the neighborhood. The kids were very much into walking Sadie. The twins were very much into moving! We had a couple of close calls near the edge of the pond when we went to find ducks. I do have to say, Sadie was the best dog. She never did snap at the kids…even when they were in her food dish. She played keep away and chase with them…I think she thought we had brought her home a new toy, or four!
We did get to snag Elaine and Nolan for a couple of days. And of course they love to go out with Grandpa in the golf cart! We had a good time.
I did kind of forget just how low to the ground toddlers are. I don’t think I have bent over so much in a long time. One night Wes came by and we all went to get a burger together. Elaine was squirming pretty good in her booster and Grandpa had to get on her not to move or she would fall! Not more than ten minutes later, she head planted off the booster right into the floor! A couple more things I forgot about toddlers, they cry loudly in public and everyone looks at you like tortured the poor child. And then just how badly you feel because they are hurt! As I was trying to comfort her I said, “Elaine, that’s why Grandpa wanted you to sit still” and between sobs she replied, “I wasn’t moving, I was rocking!” Free ice cream sundaes for her and Nolan did help a bit.
Elaine is very much into “helping” with whatever you are doing. And Nolan is very much into doing what Elaine does…and adding some spice to the activity. So we filled the bird feeders together, we fed the dog together, we watered the plants together, and we made spaghetti sauce for dinner together! Elaine is a non stop talker, so I heard about all the things she helps her Mommy do. I loved every minute of it!! Elaine is also into “set ups” with her toys. She takes it kind of serious, and she likes to use all the toys. She has an interesting negotiating strategy with Nolan. Nolan, however, does not take too much and his strategy is to knock over her set ups!
Now just take a look at the work to put all these little people in place. Not to mention the imagination of a horse and carriage in a castle tower.
One day we were supposed to meet Andrea at the zoo as one of the activities the mission conference was providing. Since Jo is home, I invited her to come along. The day was very rainy…and the zoo outing was cancelled. So my parents and Jo just hung around with us to enjoy the great-grands! Nolan loves puzzles and I still had a bunch that Wally had made years ago. Nolan was not stumped by any of them…even the backwards number puzzle. Turns out Jo is pretty good at working a puzzle herself!
On Wednesday, it was still cool and drizzly but we went to the zoo. I always like to go when its cooler because the animals are active. We had a great time!
I tried all day to get a picture of all the kids together. That is a tough job. But finally, in Tropical Discovery, I was successful!
Grandkids are just Grand!
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