LIVE LOVE SPOIL

Those three words are the essence of my grandmotherhood. 

Just living with these two little characters is fun and fulfilling.  I get to witness everything without filter, most of which the parents would rarely tell me if I were living elsewhere.  This morning big brother was feeling puny ... wicked cold and a headache.  When little brother got up and heard this ... he went and made him a toaster pop tart and a glass of milk.  Those two are thicker than thieves!  So caring about each other.  Most of the time.  

The other 10% of the time it's screaming and snatching something from the other and on occasion, pushing or hitting.  The parents have asked me to not interfere unless there is blood or if one of them comes to me.  Let them learn to work it out.

I do spend a lot of my time in my room.  Chatting on the phone, using my laptop, listening to books, folding laundry, playing scrabble and doing the crossword puzzle. In the afternoon I get myself out for some reason or another.  After, I help (supervise) B with his homework or have him read to me.  In the near future, I will be driving for either the Adult Center or the local Village that is opening in June.  Transportation is the first thing elders need to have assistance.  I love my Honda Odyssey and am happy to drive, and even wait if it's not more than an hour.  Usually something I can do during that time.

Love?  Every chance I get.  D is going through a LOVE phase with books and being read to.  I am learning how to play boy games with Legos.  We all like Board games and even Mr. 5 year old knows how to play a lot of them.  Sometimes I bake a little sweet treat.  Or help them do a recipe.  They even like cleaning projects!  We play grocery store, restaurant, zoo, library and garage sale.  They both love treasure hunts where I leave clues for 5-6 stops before they get to the surprise.  Mr. 5 made a "movie theater" in their bedroom, put the iPad on the window sill and even brought in snacks.  

Spoil?  Yes, I do.  Every single one of them.  And every day they each thank me.  Even when a boy is not happy with me ... they aren't to the point they don't want me here.  After B goes to school, if a parent is not up when D gets up ... he creeps into my room, puts his cheery little face near mine and whispers "Gramma ... do you want to play with me?"

Oh yeh, buddy.  I do!