I thoroughly enjoy every time we get to have some of our grandchildren for an overnight. I never had the chance to sleepover at a grandparent’s. I just didn’t get to spend much time with them or know them very well. But I get to see some of my nine grandchildren at least once a week.
This past Saturday, two of my grandsons (ages 8 and 5) stayed with us while their parents celebrated their anniversary. I think it’s interesting how we spent our time together.
First, we played a lot of basketball. On the way home from picking them up, we stopped at a craft fair not too far from our home. Not much for kids except for food. I was pretty excited about an outer perimeter of food trucks. Tacos, BBQ, fries, cajun, hoagies, kettle corn – and Chick-fil-A. Guess what they chose? Yep, chicken, waffle chips and Powerade from the Chick-fil-A trailer. (I got a 6″ hoagie. And I know what a “hoagie” is since I grew up in Philadelphia.)
When we got back home, it was basketball. I have a moveable hoop to set up in the driveway. The older guy has a season of rec league behind him, so he’s a pretty good shooter. The younger had to work hard to get an lighter ball through the hoop I set at eight foot. But they were out there for a couple of hours.
After that, snack time. Apples, Taki, and goldfish crackers tided them over until supper time. You’ll notice that food plays a major role in their lives at home and away. Don’t worry, they burn off all the calories.
After snack number whatever, I showed them a cool motorized engine we bought for our wooden train set. I helped them build a couple of loops and they sent long lines of cars around and around the inner, outer, and middle loops.
“Can we go outside?” Of course! Guess what kept them busy for the next hour? Pine needles. Our yard, flanked by two wooded lots, is full of them. The two boys spent the next hour raking and gathering pine needles to fill up the play fort and bury the younger grandson. My yard? Raked and looking nice!
Supper time! As I made my always delicious homemade pizza, they snacked on apple slices, Taki, grapes, and goldfish crackers. I was lucky to get a couple of slices of pizza. They doused their slices in red pepper flakes, Italian salad dressing, parmesan cheese, and ranch dressing. Yum.
Once that was gone, we got ready for the pre-bedtime movie. I gave the younger one a quick bubble bath and the older decided on thje 2018 edition of “The Grinch.” As soon as we started the movie, I heard fervent pleas for “popcorn.” Okay. I microwaved a large bowl for each, and we laughed through the movie.
Once the movie was over, we brushed teeth and fought over who would sleep in the top bunk. Younger had it last time, so it was Older’s turn. After brushing teeth, the two yawned through the Lord’s Prayer, and it was lights out (with a sound machine).
Whew. We were exhausted. And it was only 8 pm! These two grandsons only have two speeds: 100% or fast asleep. My wife and I knew we better turn in early. Before you know it, the sun would be up and they would be awake!
Waite for it... 