Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
The boys and I are in Pennsylvania for the week visiting family. Summertime is really the only time we can travel without too many scheduling conflicts. So we flew home using our non-revenue passes with my husband’s airline employer. 

My grandmother and great aunt both passed away this year, so my family has been going through their old photo albums. We did a slideshow of some very old photos of my family from the last 50 years. Jack and Tate couldn’t believe their eyes. They were amazed when they saw pictures of their grandparents and great grandparents when they were only kids. It was fun looking at pictures of myself as a kid, too. I had never seen most of the pictures, and I was surprised how similar Jack and Tate looked as children.

We also spent a fun day with my husband’s family, including my sister-in-law and her husband and two children. We are rarely together in the same place, so it was great to get the cousins together. Despite the age differences, the kids played well all afternoon. There was plenty of laughter and fun. 

We’re all looking forward to more fun over the next several days. Unfortunately, my husband is working hard at home and could not join us. He wants our boys to have great family memories. I’m glad we’ve made plenty already this summer. There are only a few more weeks to make more. I hope you and your family find time to do the same.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
We are already halfway through the week of spring break. We are enjoying the warm sunshine and laid back, easygoing days. The boys are playing outside constantly. Jack and Tate love the easy days, free from homework. They are excited to share the rest of the week with my parents, who arrive today.

We don’t have anything booked on the calendar. We may want to explore more of Atlanta or just hang out. Either way, I’m happy knowing the boys are content, enjoying the time with their grandparents and family. I’m getting some rest and catching my breath this week. It’s like we hit the pause button on the daily grind of school and sports.

Next week starts a slew of activities, reports, standardized tests, meetings, and the busy way of life. Only seven more weeks of school are left and then summer vacation begins. I will start refreshed and invigorated next week. For now, the greener grass, blossoming trees, and time with my family are the perfect combo.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Jack and Tate’s grandparents are visiting with us this week. It’s been a great week so far. The boys enjoy games, light saber battles, yard work, and learning to golf with their Pappy. Thankfully, the weather is beautiful and we can play outside. I appreciate the helping hands, conversation, and quality time with my parents.

We have a busy week ahead of us, and I’m glad my parents are here to take in all the excitement with us. We are looking forward to Field Day at the boys’ school. It’s a fun day for the students and parents. There are lots of activities and events, along with some chaos. Jack is coaching Tate on his first Field Day. I hope the 50-meter dash will be as exciting for Tate as the concession stand.

We enjoy talking to my parents on a regular basis, but Face Time doesn’t compare to the cuddles and laughter we share when we’re together. Their visits always seem to fly by. With the minimal time we all get to spend with one other, I love knowing the boys are making memories that will last their lifetime.

Granddaddy Writes…

Greetings!

Friday Mom is out of town on business all week, so I have been enlisted for this week’s contribution. I’m rusty at parenting young children, but I don’t mind writing about them, especially when they’re my grandkids.

A grandparent’s perspective is special because it isn’t colored by the most recent tantrum, fever, or note about biting from the daycare. We see Rory and Charlotte every four to six weeks. That timing means they still remember—and apparently like—us, but it’s sufficiently infrequent that we quickly pick up on what’s new and different. That’s usually something joyful, which makes those meetings all the more fun.

We also get to see personalities emerge, develop, and become more nuanced. Having a quartet of grandchildren aged 1, 3, 5, and 8 makes that progression all the more apparent. It’s more obvious with Rory and Charlotte, because we see them more frequently, but also because so many changes happen so quickly at younger ages.

Increasingly, we’re aware of the challenges families face when both parents are working professionals whose jobs require they be “always on.” Charlotte and Rory’s parents manage far better than many, and it’s clear that their first allegiance is always to their children. Still, there’s more than enough guilt to go around, and that is a burden parents shouldn’t have to wrestle on top of everything else.

As was the case when our kids were much younger, as grandmother and grandfather we tend to help in different ways—always being supportive without interfering. Never interfere.

While I don’t think I’d want to be dealing with my own toddler 24/7, I’m delighted to be a part of my grandchildren’s lives, and to continue being a father to my own kids, for as much time as it takes to be a good parent—and grandparent.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
Over the last three weeks, we got to spend time with both of Jack and Tate’s grandmothers.  It just so happened that they arranged to visit us this month. Though never here at the same time, I dropped off one grandmother at the airport to say goodbye and picked up the other all within 30 mins.  I don’t think we could have planned that any better.  We maximized our time with each grandmothers and enjoyed every minute of it.

The boys loved playing board games, visiting the pumpkin patch and carving pumpkins, riding bikes, showing off their soccer skills, eating yummy food, movie night, and celebrating Daddy’s birthday.  I was spoiled with extra help for cooking dinners, cleaning the house, a date night with my husband, and lots of hugs and kisses to the boys.  Since I know they will both read this, we greatly appreciate all the help, Grammy and Candymum!

We look forward to many more visits in the future.  My boys are growing up at a rapid pace, and I want to make sure they get every chance to spend quality time with their family.  It’s something I value, and I know they do too.

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
This weekend we visited our local pumpkin patch. Like so many farms, it has grown from a simple field of pumpkins to a family fall fun destination with many activities for young children. We spent hours running, playing, feeding animals, and getting lost in a corn maze before we finally took a tractor ride out to the actual pumpkin patch. Jack and Tate wait for this day every fall. They love the open fields, the fun attractions for kids, and finding the perfect pumpkin. I love watching them enjoying being kids.

This year was special because my mother, Jack and Tate’s “Grammy,” was here to witness all the fun. The boys led her around and showed her their favorite activities, including a new 100ft. slide that the boys particularly loved. My mother and I sat back and watched nervously as they flew down the hill with smiles on their faces.

The actual pumpkin patch was perched at the top of a hill. We rode on a hay trailer behind a tractor up a ¼ mile bumpy path. When it stopped, we quickly jumped off to find the perfect pumpkin. The boys searched and searched and found their favorite pumpkins. They were determined to carry the pumpkins back to the hayride all by themselves, but they learned that big pumpkins are also very, very heavy. I managed to get a cute photo of them trying.

The pumpkin patch was a fun adventure during the boys’ fall break. Over the last several days off from school, we did as much as we could to relax and enjoy each other’s company. As is so often the case, my kids get up earlier on the days they don’t have school, and they try to sleep in on the days I need them to get out of bed for school. Either way, I’m happy to know their break was time well spent, especially with Grammy in town.

From Friday Mom – Erin:
My husband and I have been fortunate over the past three years to get to take a few child-free trips. This is due, in large part, to the generosity of Rory’s grandparents (my parents), who have graciously agreed to watch Rory—and now both Rory and Charlotte—in our absence. This weekend, we are traveling to Texas for the wedding of my husband’s best friend (a mutual friend of ours from college and the best man from our own wedding).

On prior occasions, Rory was too young to truly appreciate our absence. He was only nine months old the first time we were gone for an extended period. We left him again at around fourteen months for a brief overnight. We were gone briefly when Charlotte was born, as well, though it was for three nights, and he still saw at least one of us during the day each of the days we were gone.

I’ve had my share of business travel this summer. Those trips are disturbing to the overall routine, but with Daddy around, there has been some degree of consistency. Charlotte is pleasantly oblivious, and, frankly, too laid-back to care.

Rory, in contrast, knows something is up. This week was the first time Rory showed signs of truly comprehending what it means for mommy and daddy to be away. My work travel had prepared him reasonably well to understand what it meant for grown-ups to be gone and for his grandparents to be around. But when I explained that we would be going on a trip without him, I was met with resistance.

We planted the seeds over the weekend, letting him know that his grandparents would be coming to play with him. I looked him in the eye on Wednesday morning, reminded him that his grandparents would be coming to stay for a few days, and that they would be taking him to school each day and playing with him each night. I explained that mommy and daddy would be taking an airplane on a trip to celebrate his “uncle’s” wedding.

“I go with you?” He asked, with equal parts confusion and excitement.

“No, sweetheart. Only mommy and daddy are going. But it will only be for a few nights, and we’ll be back on Sunday to play with you and tuck you in. And you’ll have ALL weekend to play with your grandparents.”

“You go on a trip? Without Rory?”

“Yes, sweetheart.”

“OK mommy.”

I could tell he was disappointed, but we moved right on to our breakfast that morning without too much protest. We talked about it periodically that day, as well as the morning of our departure. There was some continued resistance and frustration with the idea. But, in the end, he agreed to wear his listening ears and be a big helper for his grandparents. I am sure everyone will be a-ok and have a wonderful time, even if there are some emotional outbursts through it all. He’s a very perceptive kid, and his ability to vocalize his thoughts only further reaffirms that fact. We’ll be certain to shower him with praise upon our return for being such a big boy, and I’m sure there will be lots of hugs and kisses, too.

From Wednesdy Mom – Janelle:
Last week, my in-laws hosted a camp for Jack and Tate. It’s a week long and super fun. This was the second year Jack attended and Tate’s first. They were both ready for some planned daily activities, arts and crafts, swimming, trips, and adventures. The best part was time well spent with their grandparents.

I picked up Jack and Tate on Friday and arrived in time to see their final swim lesson. They greeted me with hugs and kisses, and I was happy to see them again. They both improved on their swimming skills, and Jack even passed the deep-water test. After their lessons, they both told me everything they did at camp. They mentioned lots of neat crafts, experiments, a factory tour, mini-golf, a scavenger hunt, ice cream, fishing, a boat ride and movie night. What a fun week, indeed.

While the boys were away, I had several days to myself. It was terrific. No worries or responsibilities. I knew my boys were in good hands, and I could relax for an extended period. Sure, I missed the boys, but some alone time was refreshing.

I’m so appreciative that Jack and Tate’s grandparents are willing to host such an enjoyable week. I know the boys will always have memories of Lake Camp this year and future years. Soon, their cousins will join in the fun. What a great experience for everyone involved!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
While visiting my parents, there are certain things I like to do that send me down memory lane. I don’t get a chance to visit very often, so when I’m in my childhood town, I make sure to carve out some time to enjoy those special memories all over again. The best part now is sharing them with my own children.

My husband and I often give Jack and Tate a tour of our favorite places while visiting PA. We sometimes drive around and show them our childhood homes, schools, and preferred places we frequented. We also like to do similar activities with them that we did as kids, for example, pick strawberries at a local farm, ride bikes, hike trails, eat ice cream, catch lightning bugs, enjoy family get togethers, and swim at the same pool we enjoyed as children. I love sharing our childhood with them. It’s nice to see the classic fun outings seamlessly flow from generation to generation.

Over the weekend, I was excited to sit down with Jack and Tate and go through photo albums, new and old. We looked at pictures of myself from birth until recently. Some were cute; others not so much…i.e. my middle school years. We also found some photos from the 1800’s of my great grandmother and great uncles, photos of my mom as a little girl and even photos of my grandmother when she was a toddler. Jack and Tate couldn’t believe the antiquated baby toys, strollers, and outfits. I can’t imagine living without the technology we have today.

I hope someday Jack and Tate can experience some of their same childhood experiences with their children. I try to take lots of pictures so someday their great-grandchildren can look back and see what they were doing and wearing in the early 2000’s. What a treasure those photos will be.

From Monday Mom – Neetika:
Last week, I wrote about how nervous I was to leave Hudson overnight for the first time. Luckily he did great. He took bottles of formula easily. He went to sleep without a problem. He played happily and did not cry at all. Getting updates that he was doing fine helped me relax and have a great trip with my friends.

I was glad that Haley had a good time too, and it’s no wonder. When I called my mom for an update one afternoon, she told me that Haley was at the park with her uncle. I later learned that he promised her ice cream. On the way to the shop, they passed by a toy store Haley knows—which is why there’s a new My Little Pony staring at me from the coffee table right now.

Despite her weekend of fun, Haley did have her moments of melancholy. She was sniffling and feeling under the weather one morning, so my mom had to deal with a chorus of “I want moooommy” for a little while. But that didn’t last long. Overall she had a wonderful time and I did too.

I’m so lucky to have my parents, with assistance from my brother, to help out with my kids. Many of the friends I saw this weekend had their kids with them, and while they were able to socialize, it wasn’t the same thing. I really appreciated having the time to unwind without them. And I really loved being reunited with them.