Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Monday, September 21, 2015

25

Yes, it's blurry.
Photographing children and wildlife. It's the same . . .
For two weeks, we’ve had our youngest son’s two children (ages 3 years and 16 months) in our home while their parents were exploring places warm and sunny.
I should probably mention that our home already houses four adults and one resident three-year-old.
It was, for the most part, a marvellous time!

Twenty-five things we learned:
1. Children are like the ocean. You never want to turn your back.
2. The decibels reached by the average toddler during normal conversation cannot be measured by normal means.
3. Enthusiasm and unhappiness are often expressed with the same ear-piercing wail.
4. Also hunger, I’m-not-tired, and he-took-my-toy.
5. Three-year-olds and scissors should never make even a passing acquaintance.
6. Just because they’re approximately the same size, two three-year-olds don’t always see eye-to-eye.
7. The definition of a toddler is someone two feet tall with an arm reach of eight feet.
8. The head is equipped with a solid bone for a reason.
9. Bike helmets should be a standard component of every outfit (see above).
10. Just because someone is looking at you, it doesn’t necessarily follow that they are also listening.
11. Hiding places turn easily into finding places. A little too easily. Sooo . . .
12. Nothing is safe.
13. A toddler can – and will – eat their weight in food.
14. And, conversely, can live on air for an inordinate amount of time.
15. If you turn on the TV, the only time they notice is for the first three minutes.
16. And when you shut it off.
17. The bathtub is an excellent place to play.
18. Except when it has water in it.
19. If one wakes up in the middle of the night, one needs the company of a sibling.
20. And/or at least two grandparents.
21. If a diaper says 8 to 10 pounds, that really is all it will hold.
22. The amount of time one needs to hurry a toddler to the potty is proportionate to the amount of time it takes for them to realize they have to go and telling you.
23. There's nothing quite like a small herd of children greeting you enthusiastically at the door when you get home.
24. A toddler hug makes anything better.
25. A toddler kiss, ditto.

Their parents are home from a wonderful trip. Everyone has been happily reunited.
Grandma is going back to bed.


26 comments:

  1. My co-grandma is a wonderful lady!!!! My co-grandpa has a great sense of humor also!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I absolutely loved this. Loved it. Especially the diaper weight!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You nailed it, Grandma ... I was in the periphery of a three-year-old's visit this summer, and without a doubt you have nailed it :)

    And regarding today's label - there's no sitting in grandbaby sitting!

    But oh, how we miss them when they're gone, don't we?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love that children are like the ocean line.
    And am constantly awed at their energy.
    Rest well. You undoubtedly need it, despite the huge smiles...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh now I am really looking forward to hearing my two college children's stories after they finish babysitting their cousin's 18 month old for the weekend. Bless you. We're in for some fun.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Where did you getter energy to care for two toddlers. Can it be bottled?

    ReplyDelete
  7. That last line rings a bell and I almost never had them overnight. The other grandma got that joy, because she had the farm with the cows and the ducks and the apple trees. I didn't mind, all I had was TV, a concrete drive and chalk sticks to draw on it with.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember the day they asked me to lie down so they could draw around me, then I had to draw around them, after that we filled in the details. Fun times.

      Delete
    2. My kids would love that! Okay, I'm stealing the idea . . .

      Delete
  8. I loved this. And can't wait to experience it again for myself :)!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so jealous of people who get to spend time with grandchildren - it sounds like everyone had a wonderful (and tiring) time :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. There's nothing better than that exhausted feeling after a day spent with grandbabies! Okay except a quiet house once in a great while!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmm . . . quiet house? I wonder what that sounds like! :)

      Delete
  11. Hi Diane (again) - I thought you might like to know that I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award if you'd like to participate - the info is on my post here: http://www.crestingthehill.com.au/2015/09/creating-circle-of-love-with-blogger.html#.VgJxgMuqqko

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Leanne, I'm absolutely thrilled! Thank you! I'll go there now . . .

      Delete
  12. This was like a trip down memory lane - so many little details about toddlers that I had forgotten, but they all ring true! I bet your grandkids absolutely love to visit you!

    ReplyDelete

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