A Visit with Grandma

The kids and I drove down to Mission to get out of Kent’s hair while he’s working at setting up in the new school. We stayed three full days with my mom and did some visiting around the area. While we’ve been here the kids have had a blast spending time with their Grandma. Grandma had craft projects planned for them to work on, helped them make their treasures, bought new materials with which to create their works of art.

The dough dolls - They mixed up dough (much like play dough) and rolled it out flat. Then cut body parts and baked them in the oven. When they were cooked, we painted them and attached them together with buttons and cord. Then they glued on eyes and clothes (if desired), and voïla, a doll they can actually play with! Kai (of course) made a dragon doll. Madison made a ballerina princess doll.

Painting - I have to remember never to underestimate the fun of simple brush to paper painting. Caylie loves painting, and Grandma had bought her a real canvas to use. She created a masterpiece that will be hung in our house on display.

Berry Picking - Grandma knew a local farm where we could pick our own blueberries. We arrived armed with buckets and Tupperware containers to pick the juicy, ripe berries. The kids had never picked fruit before, and they thought this was extremely fun. Between us we picked 16.5 lbs of blueberries in one hour. The kids smuggled a few more pounds out in their bellies. That night I made blueberry crisp for dessert, and the kids have been eating tons of berries ever since because they are the ones they picked themselves.

Gifts-Grandma presented Kai with his birthday gifts before we left, even though his birthday isn’t for over a week. Among other things, she had made him a dragon puppet out of fabric. Somewhere she found a pattern for the puppet and sewed it, stuffed it, painted it with glittery scales, added sequins and jewelled buttons. It was very well received by our dragon fanatic, he has been carrying it around all day and is even sleeping with it tonight.

We’ve all be thoroughly spoiled and fêted by all our family members on this visit. My dad and his wife made us a lovely meal and gave the kids gifts, and my brother-in-law and his wife threw a super fun party for their daughter’s second birthday. Kai has been showered with gifts by his other grandparents as well, and is doing quite well in that department despite the fact that his birthday hasn’t yet arrived.

It was a lovely visit. I am so lucky to have such a caring, considerate mother who takes such joy in spending time with us. Thanks, Mom. I love you

“My mom is a neverending song in my heart of comfort, happiness, and being. I may sometimes forget the words but I always remember the tune.” ~Graycie Harmon