Visiting Old Gramma

The kidlets were very excited to visit Old Gramma.  They were particularly excited to walk over across the driveway from my parents’ house to Old Gramma’s house unsupervised.  In fact, they left and came back several times just because they could.  One afternoon my mom actually sent YaYa and The Banana over by themselves for about a half hour with a bag of cookies to share with Old Gramma.  This was a very, very big deal, to visit just by themselves.  Although I was a little fretful that they were tiring Old Gramma out, or that they were misbehaving or that they were quarreling over there without my supervision, I sat on my hands and let it happen, because I, of all people, know HOW GREAT being visiting Old Gramma ALONE, without other adults present, is.  They loved it.  I knew they would.  (It’s just so contrary to my parenting culture to actually let kids do something themselves without strict adult supervision and control . . . sad, I think).

On the first visit, The Banana took a little time to warm up to Old Banana, but let me tell you, when she did warm up, she truly adored Old Gramma.  She loved sneaking up on her and giving her enormous hugs that nearly broke Old Gramma’s ribcage.  She particularly loved pushing Old Gramma around in her wheelchair.  One time Old Gramma forgot to put her feet down on the floor, and the two of them nearly smashed into a wall at a speed of approximately 40 mph.  Based on the look of terror on her face, I don’t think Old Gramma was anticipating quite such a fast ride down the hallway and through the kitchen.  After that, she asked The Banana to go a bit more sore because her legs were healing.  The Banana said she hoped that Old Gramma figured her legs out soon, so they could go fast down the hallway again.

Old Gramma gave YaYa a book about birds and bird sounds that she is over the moon excited about.  She’s read all about all the birds, and she even took the book to school to show her teacher.  We’ve already had to replace the batteries in the bird sound player that is attached to the book.  I have been hearing a lot of bird calls around here.

It was Squirmy’s first time to visit Old Gramma. He had a nice ride in the wheelchair, and a ton of fun playing with some wooden spoons and a metal bowl on the floor.  He was pretty entranced with Old Gramma.