I can think of no better way to ring in the New Year, 2011, than by having a sleepover with my grandchildren.
We had lunch with Merry Jennifer and Sam today at high noon, and made the trade: a restaurant check for two grandchildren.
Once we were home, after a stop at CVS drugstore where the children and I played I-SPY for twenty minutes and then a stop at Winn*Dixie for bagels, pineapple and the free cookie, then Maddie and Oliver and I retired to the porches.
"Let's talk," I suggested.
"But what will we talk about?" Madeline asked.
"And what will we say?" Oliver inquired.
Oh, my! I felt like I was in the classroom again. What a lead into a great teaching opportunity!
Maddie shouted, "I know. Let's tell stories!"
"NO! Let's write stories," I blurted.
"Me first," Oliver stated. And he began.
Once upon a time there was a mommy and a daddy and they had a girl and a boy in my mommy's tummy and it was me and Madeline. Then we came out and they lived happily ever after.
"My turn!" Maddie said.
Once upon a time there was a little boy and girl and their mommy and daddy were going out so they had to find a place for the little boy and girl...and they went to Nana's.
"Wait!" I interjected. "We need to write stories that have a problem"; at which point Madeline's eyebrows furrowed.
"Not a problem, necessarily," I said. . .but a story that has a conflict.. . like, for example, you and Oliver have to cross a river to get home. . .
My grandchildren thought for a moment, then Oliver said, "I know a story."
Once upon a time there was a boy and a girl and they had to cross a bridge over the water, but a skunk came along and didn't spray them and they all lived happily ever after.
"My turn!" Madeline exclaimed.
Once upon a time. . .
But by then, Oliver shouted, "I'm hungry!" and that ended the writing lesson.
What a great way to usher in the new year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011