Sunday, June 12, 2022

"WAKE UP! WE WANNA PLAY!"



"Good Evening!  Wanna come along?  Let's babysit the grandkids!"  beckoning to darling hubby.

Ever watch kids play?  They rarely nap or sleep, but, by golly, they get their rest!

Walking along, holding one of their hands, they drop!  They've decided they can't go anymore, so --  plop.  Bottoms down.  Sitting on the sidewalk, right there. 

"What are you doing?  Get up!  Are you nuts sitting here in the hot sun.  Let's go!"  Yes, kids find ways to rest.  

The sun's bright, the green swing set's a'waiting.  The newly planted garden is protected by electric fencing.  The flag ruffles in the wind.  Flowering bushes compliment the pink brick.

Smiles, everyone!  See the welcoming committee?   Here come the kids!

"GrammyPam! GrammyPam!"  Lilly holds the screen door open.

Her body jitters, she wants to rush me.  But Jacob is still gripping the door frame.  He's toddling down the step. Here they come!  Run, run, and they grab my legs.

4 y.o. Lilly says, "GrammyPam, GrammyPam, come play with me!" 

2 y.o. Jacob who can't say GrammyPam says, "iPad!"

Play we do.  I'm first.  

I drop to the kitchen floor, "Nap time, bring me a pillow so I can snore."    "Ssssssno-ore!"

Jacob actually drags Lilly's pillow to me.   I snore.  "Ssssssssno-ore!"  I let my body go limp.  I'm liking the firm coolness of the floor.   "Wake-up" Jacob pats my face with little soft hands.  Lilly smacks my backside, "Wake-up, GrammyPam".  "Sssssssno-ore!"  Suck in air, "Ssssssssssno-ore!"

"Wake-up, GrammyPam, we wanna play."  

"OUTSIDE then!"  Hide and seek!  They behind the trees.  Me behind a mound of dirt.  They'll be awhile.  I crouch low in a comfortable position -- I rest.

Giggles and giggles, "GrammyPam!  You can't hide.  We found you!'

It's a tromp to the patio, Jacob pats the hammock.  He wants in.  I'm not familiar with hammocks, don't know if he'll roll out the other side or not.  Time for distraction, "Look!  Ants!"

I put myself in the hammock.  Swing and rest.  Rest and swing.  I'll do this thing and you do that.

Jacob lays on his belly and rolls a Matchbox tractor wheel over an ant.  Big sis stomps the run-aways.  

"Watch my show," she says.  I swing.  They expend energy.  Lilly put on a raindrop, purple umbrella show jumping off a bench, "That was a safe landing," she declares.

Her one foot forward, the other foot back, on this cement pad, safe landing?

"You go, girl!  I'll be just a'swingin'."

"Bunny!  Bunny!" Jacob squeals.  He rushes the bushes to see bunny.  Aha, there's tree stumps -- like a siren's call, "My dear, your rear here."

Lilly's excited, "Let's go on a bunny hunt. I saw his tail!  I see white."  She moves the branches AND jumps up and down, "I see him, I see him.  Let's go in!"

I'm thinking, yes, you go in and if I hear a bear growl or snake hiss I'll jump in and slay your dragon.  

At the other end of the yard is their garden.  Lilly explains, "Don't get too close.  It goes zzz.  If'en you get closer it goes zzz, zzz, and if you get e'en closer it goes zzitt-zzitt!."

"Don't touch the yellow circles, ee-thver!" her whole body shivers.

"Okay, we won't touch the electric fence."  I'm not ready to be energized anyway.

Inside, Jacob grabs his sippy cup.

"Em. Tee!"  Wanna know how I know he's upset?  Sippy cup isn't offered up for a refill, sippy isn't tossed into the sink -- sippy is dropped to the floor with force!  Pouty downward face, chin on chest.  "Em.  Tee!"

Why can toddler anger move an adult?  What are we afraid of?  You little short 2 foot body of untamed mush.  I could squash you like the ant you did!  LOL.

They play, their way...fish for Go Fish, tinkle piano keys, and Lucky Duck draw "Ja-COB!  That's not your duck!" And away he runs.

I lay, watching their play...on the living room rug.  Call me supervisor.  Call me referee.  Call me reposing GrammyPam.  It's fine with me.

You know, it's not a bad idea, to rest.  When Jacob climbs up onto the couch and snuggles under your arm, it's actually a pretty good idea!











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