Sunday, November 4, 2012

Survivor: Naperville*


We had an opportunity to watch our grandchildren for several days, starting on Halloween night. 

Here's what I think I remember.

Three-year-olds are dramatic and fickle. When Zach told me with heart-wrenching sobs that he missed his mom and dad on the first morning, I pointed out that as soon as we got home, he could eat all of his Halloween candy. He perked up immediately and never mentioned them again.

Kids are really funny. Much like my Grandmother, they don't realize how very funny they are. They are unfailingly polite as you laugh out loud at what they say and do, and they will nod and laugh right along with you. This, of course, makes everything even funnier.

Quiche erupting from a once-curious but now-disgusted toddler's mouth is, well, disgusting. This could also be called "How to clear the Morton Arboretum cafeteria in 30 seconds." We apologize for the loss in business.

Iced tea is indispensable for exhausted adults.

If you think you are going to sit down and watch the nightly news at the end of the day, you are mistaken. Besides, Mr. Rogers has been reincarnated into a show called Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. (Kind of cute, actually. But when did all of these awful commercials sneak into PBS? Sheesh.)

Speaking of profanity, Zach has been asked not to use "Shoot!" so much. Grandma, however, strives valiantly to use this word instead of a similarly-sounding alternative. I am not always successful avoiding either.

Running is about the best thing ever invented for little boys. Climbing, too. Bless the malls of this world that have carved out free indoor playgrounds. And thank heavens no one took a header off the slide. All brains managed to stay intact on our watch.

And last, I am reminded of what my mother-in-law said after watching our girls one weekend long ago: "Now I know why God makes it impossible for women my age to have children."

I get that.

As of last night, the parents have arrived home. The kids are washed, the laundry is done, we lost Howie the Escape Dog only twice and I am headed for a long nearly-winter's nap.

White Oak Cabin, one of six tree houses to explore at the Morton Arboretum.
We ran, we climbed, we fell. Best day ever.

*with thanks to my sister-in-law for inspiring the title of this post.

12 comments:

Maureen Wyatt said...

ha ha ha ha This is the truth! My friend just told me that after a night of minding her 8 mth. old grandson, she really prefers to have them visit! I'm sure you did a great job! ~ Maureen

Carol said...

You are giving those children memories they will cherish their whole lives. Glad you survived it! The tribe has spoken...

BFL said...

I am reminded of a favorite family story, tho I seem to be the only one to remember it. Long ago, when I was much, much younger, I babysat for two of my nephews. No sooner had their mom (my sister) and dad left than one of them boldly told me: "We don't have to do what you say. You aren't our mom." Your grandchildren seem not to be quite so cheeky. Lucky you!

My name is Riet said...

KIds can be so funny. I love it when they invent their stories

Beth said...

Running, climbing,mall playgrounds, you are the best grandparents ever!

Anonymous said...

You now are eligible for a "Survivor" t-shirt!

Cuzzin Carolyn

Sharon said...

Great post.

EG CameraGirl said...

Thanks for making me smile! Ah, one of the joys of being a grandparent is you CAN take a nap after the grandkids go home. :))

Kathy and Freddy said...

I get that too!!!
This post is great, a little Nora Ephron-esque!

Naperville Now said...

Gosh, Kak -- thank you. (I feel bad about my neck, too.) Mwah to you and Fred.

Betshy said...

This makes me smile...and laugh out loud!

Johanna Johnpeter Hutson said...

I am so proud to have provided the title to your post! Would be very willing to be hired as a title producer for your fantastic blog now that I have 1 and 3/4 Grandchildren. Mom and Dad kept my boys once while we went to a wedding. They were to meet us in Chattanooga and give the boys back to us. Mom says that Dad made them all leave 3 hours early because he was so exhausted from chasing the little devils. Now that they are grown and turned out well, that is funny. Then, not so much.