What did Grandma get? A whole lot of wrangling, wrestling, diapering and snack dispensing. She got her bag pillaged as well as an accelerated lesson in "How To Open All The Kai Proofed Bathroom Doors Quick Enough So You Don't Wet Your Pants." It takes dexterity, mental acuity and the patience of Mother Teresa to open these doors. I'm considering passing out Depends to all my guests as a precaution. Luckily, Grandma is still the sharpest knife in the drawer and was in no need of assistance. (Owen has mastered it and Drew asks Owen to open the doors for him. It all works itself out somehow. If the door can't be opened quick enough they just go out and relieve themselves in the bushes. One of many reasons it is nice to have all boys AND large shrubbery.)
My mom willingly and knowingly accepts all manner of abuses when she visits our house. There is no pretense of me trying to make her "stay more comfortable" with Martha Stewart-like accommodations. She finds no fancy meals or sparkling clean floors or a relaxing retreat. I provide her with clean sheets and towels and she brings her ear plugs and an extra parcel of patience.
She also brings little toys for the boys. Curiously, she has a sixth sense as to what kinds of things the boys will like that will stimulate their intellect keep them occupied. This trip it was Boggle and some drawing books. They worked like a charm.
Things were going along nicely. She didn't let Kai take a leisurely swim in the koi pond like last time. And when we were in the city, Kai only got one headlight on his forehead after an altercation with an open door. So all in all her Grandma time was a success for all parties..... until Kai and Owen decided to start jumping from the end table onto the couch and then dumping the end table over. Thankfully there were no injures because Grandma rushed to the scene and said,
Things were going along nicely. She didn't let Kai take a leisurely swim in the koi pond like last time. And when we were in the city, Kai only got one headlight on his forehead after an altercation with an open door. So all in all her Grandma time was a success for all parties..... until Kai and Owen decided to start jumping from the end table onto the couch and then dumping the end table over. Thankfully there were no injures because Grandma rushed to the scene and said,
"If you boys don't stop that I'm going to have to get after you!!!"
She left them alone to ponder their behavior, confident that she was the victorious adult. However, Owen translated the reprimand differently. Apparently Grandma's reputation as a black belt in taekwondo (true story) precedes her. Owen explained to his brother....
"Did you hear that, Kai? Grandma said she's going to beat us up!"
Now I know her secret. And it isn't the toys!