Grandmothering

Sunday evening (the day we returned from St. George), I headed down to Magna to Jessica's for a four-day stay with the kids while Jessica and Elessia took a "We survived our first year as parents of twins) trip to California.  They left Sunday night and returned back on Thursday night.  In the middle of that, I managed to keep four children alive by myself and got them where they were suppose to go (except one morning of preschool for Zander which we missed, because it had been a rough night of sleep for him and his two sisters..and me.)

We played with toys, had dance parties with Alexa providing music, we rocked, and READ lots and lots of books. (And I wouldn't care if I never read "The Pout-Face Fish again in my life. They were into that book.)  Occasionally I remembered to take photos to share with Jessica and Elessia.  Here is a sample:

Taking photos of twins is tricky---both looking but one in the dark

 Both in the light but one not looking---Oh, well.  They are cute regardless.

Winding down time for bed---Liam with Carter

After bath time one night----

Alex, Liam, and Carter

Bunk beds are so much fun.....

Liam was so proud because he took this photo and wanted me to send it to Jessica and Elessia. Carter was a book fiend while I was there and since then as well--just like Jessica was although she started when she was about 6 months old.

The cloth measuring tape seemed like a fun thing to play with, but Carter was not in the mood for a photo. 

And one afternoon, I did a real crazy thing and took the four of them by myself to the park.  Not sure what I was thinking about that.  A four-year old, a 2 1/2 year old, and twin one year olds--what could go wrong!

We picked up McDonalds for our picnic lunch and headed to a park I had found nearby but maybe new to them.  They loved it.

It helps if the two one-year olds are confined to the stroller--so that helped with the picnic part of things.

Zander was loving his hamburger and loved the park but I had to keep my eyes on him because he wasn't so great about staying where I could see him--if a bird or something else looked more interesting, he was off to explore.

Liam loved everything about the park.

It was getting windy so Liam kept closing his eyes but wanting a picture.

 They had a great playground which kids of all ages could enjoy.

Liam didn't quite make it to the bathroom which was locked for the summer anyway, but he was willing to tough it out to play on the equipment.  He had fun with the other kids who came to play as well.

Then I let the babies out of the stroller.  They loved the leaves, sand, and the playground equipment, but they didn't go in the same direction as each other.  Fun times-----

Alex showing me a leaf

Carter proud of herself that she got to the slide

The park had this fun wall that was painted with landmarks of the city of West Valley.  I thought it would be a cute back drop for a photo of the four of them.  Zander was not interested and the girls were more interested in the wall not me.  Maybe it will work in a few years from now.

After that big adventure--it was bath time for everyone and lots of sand left behind.

Jessica and Elessia got home about 1:00 am and I headed home so that I could sleep in my own bed and get ready for a few hours at work in the morning.  I am not going to lie--I was tired.  Four kids is hard work and I wondered how I ever managed to do it day to day as a mom.  But as I walked to my car, I also got tears in my eyes about not seeing the kids when they woke up in the morning or being able to do another dance party after nap time.  How sentimental am I! I mean they only live 45 minutes away and I can see them often, but it is different to be caring for them.  So glad that I had this chance to spend this time with them!  It was a pleasure and a blessing to me.

Post scripts:

Funny Things Liam said:

Liam rode the bus to and from school, so he had not been in the van with me and his siblings until we went to McDonalds.  After I buckled four kids in--not an easy task, I got in the drivers seat and started to buckle my seat belt.  Liam said, no, Grandma, that is my mommies' seat belt.  (No concern about me driving the car, just using their seat belt!!??).  We had a bit of a discussion where I reassured him that they would want me to use the seat belt, but it took him a minute to be convinced.  Apparently, Jessica had not prepared Liam for me driving the van AND using the seat belt..

On the way home from the park, I was trying to merge into the left lane as the right lane was ending.  I had lots of space but when I turned on my blinker, a car in the left lane sped up and prevented me from merging in.  Luckily I don't swear (as I pointed out to Jessica and Elessia when I retold them this story.) but I did say to myself, "Really, you can't just let me in?"  (And seriously, there was plenty of space for me to move over without causing this car to slow down at all--he deliberately went faster to not allow me to move in front on him.)  From the back seat, Liam said--in a very compassionate tone--"Grandma, I will always let you in."  How sweet is that!  I will always let you in too, sweet Liam.

And after four days of telling ME that things needed to be done this way or that way, Liam was telling Jessica and Elessia that GRANDMA did it this way or that way!  Four year olds are pretty fun!