keeping the peace and my sanity

 
After five nights of keeping Madeline and Oliver, I am finally returning to my somewhat normal life. I hold many memories of the grandchildren's visit.  Conversations that were priceless:

Oliver:  "Nana, why is this chair about to break?"

Me:       "Well, Oliver.  It's an old chair and Grandaddy hasn't fixed it yet."

Oliver:    "Nana, why is there so much dirt on the floor?"

Me:         "Oliver, that's not dirt.  That's sand . . .and the puppies bring it in on their feet and we bring it in on our shoes."

Yes, the questions continued throughout the grandchildren's week-long visit.  Oftentimes, I would begin an answer only to have Oliver walk away in mid-sentence, obviously, bored with the mundane, practical answer I was giving him.

Oliver had concerns about Granddaddy.  "Nana, Granddaddy thought we were yelling in the car, but we were just laughing and giggling."

"I know, Oliver.  I explained that to him." I answered.  "Granddaddy's hearing aide is set too high, but he understands now."

Oliver:  "Nana, Granddaddy said he would take us fishing; but now the fishing poles will get old and break and we won't catch any fish."

Me:      "Oliver, we are going to find a way for Granddaddy to take you fishing.  I promise!"

 
And then there are memories of Madeline.  She was a perfect big sister.  Oliver is a picky eater; therefore, when I served chicken pot pie and when Oliver refused to eat the green peas, Maddie carried one of her green peas over to Oliver and whispered, "Oliver.  Eat this one and you can be done."  Truly, we would have let him get away without eating any green peas!

Madeline corrected Oliver when he was wrong, "Oliver, that is NOT shaving cream on the ice cream.  It's whipped cream . . . so STOP asking for shaving cream!"

It was a good five nights and six days with the grandchildren.  I'll be honest and say the days were a whirlwind for me taking care of Truett and Mom, the cats and puppies and Madeline and Oliver.  But . . . I survived.

I found that the mention of The Dollar Store, banana splits, swimming, and a movie were all part of my ploy to keep the peace and my sanity.

 
                                    "Hey, guys!  I miss you already!"

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[tina]

I miss you all, too!