Grandchildren and Projects

It’s lovely spending time with Leilani (3) and George (9 months) watching them play, develop and learn.  It’s also exhausting for grandparents who have been away from the full-on experience for a couple of decades.  However we survived.  Survived the whirlwind of being woken by a three year old projectile first thing in the morning.  Survived mealtimes feeding the littl’n in addition to ourselves.  Mike kept his ministrations to above the waist, Kim was involved in the more intimate areas.  A loud call of “Nye Nye, please wipe my bottom” caused an outbreak of instant deafness in Mike should Kim not be within hearing distance whilst the threat of a nappy (or diaper) change usually resulted in Mike being suddenly required to tighten a loose screw in a door.  At times it became necessary to even loosen a couple of screws in readiness.

Play times were of course fun.  A cardboard box kept them amused for three days.

A sudden late fall of snow provided a diversion from the television

A local production by the Florentine Opera Company of Jack and the Beanstalk enthralled everyone, including George who sat on Granddad’s lap throughout fascinated.

Of course, whenever Kim and Mike visit, there’s a project or two that need to be completed and this time was no exception.  Kim made and fitted five ‘Roman blinds’ (no Mike didn’t know what they were either)  which now grace the windows of the sitting room.

A Wendy house was requested but that proved a little ambitious give the limitations of time and tools so a compromise was reached to modify the existing climbing frame.  It seems to work and Leilani immediately moved in a selection of necessary accoutrements.

Now it’s over.  Grandchildren and family left behind, memories and photos brought with them.  During the month that they were in Milwaukee George grew five teeth, learned to crawl and to stand up unaided, and to develop the first three words of his vocabulary (Mum, Dad and car).  Leilani learned about elephants, practiced writing her name and helped to plant flowers.  A final dinner and it’s away to Toronto to catch up with some more family.