Granny's

Granny's house has been a place that I've spent quite a bit of time at over the past two decades. I don't remember staying with her much in my younger years, but starting in about the fifth grade my cousin Allison and I used to ride the bus there. This after school routine continued throughout my high school years and I'm thankful it did because it gave me lots of time to bond with my grandma. Granny was still working at Relax-A-Size (the fitness shop she owned) when I first began spending afternoons at her place, but in my high school years she'd retired and was there to spend lots of time chatting with me after school. 

Even after I got a drivers license and could do my own thing, I still made frequent visits there. College didn't slow me down much either from dropping by regularly since I came home often on weekends to be with the people I loved the most - my family. Since she's known for her Sunday breakfasts when a variety of family members drop by weekly to chat and savor her good cooking, it was these mornings that I probably saw Granny the most in my early adulthood years.

After getting married and moving to Maryland though, those visits got more scarce. I still came home fairly often, but the gaps of time in between had grown in length as I was full-time teaching, finishing graduate school, and teaching a preschool class Sunday School at church. When Caleb was born, it made it even harder to visit everyone if I dropped in for only a weekend trip, but finally God led us back home and spending time with my family is the main reason I am so glad to be back in this area. 

Pretty much since we moved back to Virginia, I've taken my little ones to Granny's at least once a week for a visit. We usually spend one full day or more getting some quality time with one of our favorite people.

While these visits started out as just time to spend together, Granny ended up offering to watch Caleb regularly for me when he was a baby while I did a water aerobics class at the therapy pool once a week in Winchester (about 45 min away). Cay-Cay and I settled in to a routine of dropping by Monday mornings, which allowed me to swim and her a chance to develop a relationship with her great-grandson. I relished these opportunities for two reasons - the first being that I got a few hours to myself to take care of me and even do an errand here or there, the second being that Caleb and Granny really developed a special bond as she got to keep him without me in the picture.

When Hadley was born I took several months off from exercising, but finally when she started nursing less, again I began leaving the kids some with Granny while I swam. Now that Reid is in the picture though, it has become pretty much impossible to go to Winchester to exercise since he wants to nurse so frequently and three little ones is a lot ask any one to handle for very long (not to mention that the pool no longer offers any aerobic classes). However, Granny still helps watch them for an hour or two if I have to run to the chiropractor, physical therapy, or doctor. She has been such a big help and blessing to me.  

Rather than just coming on Mondays like we used to, we've hopped around quite a bit lately, but we still get there once a week whether I have an appointment or not. As grateful as I am to have her help, she is just as thankful that we come to visit. I feel guilty asking for babysitting help so often when I have appointments, but she frequently suggests even more opportunities when she could watch the kids for me and I've seen her do it with my cousins as well. I think she likes a little time to spoil them without their Mommas around and she loves to help us where she can. (Hey, she raised four little ones who were as close in age as mine are so she knows how it is!)

Granny is one of the few people who I feel really appreciate the little nuances that make each one the kids uniquely special. Time and again she tells me that Caleb is a genius as she repeats back to me the big words he used that day or the facts he tried to teach her. She listens intently when he talks and shows amazement at his growth. With Hadley she makes over her outfits almost every time we walk in the door, but she's even more crazy about her personality. Granny giggles over those moments of fiestiness our girl has at times and notices her quirky habits. She pays attention when Hadley's learned something new and enjoys watching her growth both physically and intellectually. Reid even has a special bond with Granny already. She teases him about being such a busy little man and has to smile at those strong-willed moments he's voicing already when he's not happy about the situation. While Caleb's getting a little too big for it, both Hadley and Reid are good snuggle buddies with her too. 

So, I'm dedicating this post to her with a series of pictures from over the past year. Hope you can see what makes going to Granny's a place that keeps drawing us back.

June 2013 - Granny's is always a great place for meeting up with cousins. Whether planned or unexpected, we'll take any opportunity to get together with 'em. Here are a few shots of Hadley with Peyton, whose just one year older than her.

September 2013 - A few months later we had another cousin play date at the place where all the kids want to be - Granny's! Dan, Anabella, Hadley, and Caleb enjoyed some play time that day and a little couch snuggling while they watched a show together. Aren't they cute?

January 2014 - Our weekly visits are not the only times we get to spend with Granny, you may have noticed from my previous posts that usually we go there for holidays too. This year I was sick on New Year's Day, but Dave took the kids to Granny's while I rested at home. Here are a few pictures he snapped for me since I missed out.

February 2014 - February was a rough month for us as we were just getting over my dad's passing, but I think having the little ones around definitely helped ease Granny's grieving. She talked about how proud my dad was of these rascals and how much little Reid looked like his Granddaddy.

Even before he could sit up on his own, Reid began to get in on the play time. 

Granny usually sets a few toys out before we get there, but the kids pull out even more. The living room floor is often completely covered within an hour or so. 

She encourages the kids to try new things. In this pic she was trying to teach Reid how to sit up on his own. He was doing pretty good.

March 2014 - Granny's does well when it comes to shifting toys around so the kids don't get bored with the same old things. One day they might have some boards to lace and another it might be some magnetic dolls to dress. From a variety of blocks to a kitchen set, there's always something to do.

Looks like Hadley is making a super hero pirate.

Finally getting big enough to play too!

What dishes do you want, Reid?

This is a classic scene at Granny's. What Caleb is playing with here is a set of coasters, "black pancakes" if you will. Every grandkid that visits is drawn to these black rubber discs despite all the other toys available.

More fun with the "black pancakes"

April - With the arrival of spring, a new play area became available - Granny's yard. Since she lives in the country like the rest of us, there is plenty of space to roam.

Some one has her blanket in tote like usual.

I'm not sure how this fishing net got mixed in the toys but they kids enjoy it.

Hadley, my adventurer, went off on her own - up the hill to the fence line...

....around the corner, through the leaves, and up the other side of the fence. Maybe she was on her way to NaNa's?

July 2014 - Almost every time we've gone lately, they see the toys in the garage or the swing set and beg to stay outdoors. If it's nice out and I don't have an appointment to make, sometimes I give in to their request. I love to let them get outside as much as possible on these sunshiny days. 

My Aunt Debbie gave Granny lots of hand-me down toys from when Ryan and Hayden were little. My kids are glad she did!

Ok, so this hill is the reason I'm nervous about letting the kids play outside. They get on those riding toys and fly!

I try to keep a hold of the back of them, but they are too quick for me sometimes. 

How did you make it better when it's time to come in? A snack and maybe a show Granny recorded (Mickey Mouse, Bubble Guppies, Paw Patrol, or Dora). Granny usually gives them Veggie Sticks to munch on, which are kind of like potato chips but are made with veggies and come in stick form (slightly healthier but not much).

On occasion we get a little change of scenery too. A visit to Stacey's or trip to a playground can break up the norm for us a little. Granny had an errand to run a couple weeks ago, so we stopped at Fox's in Strasburg (a nostalgic restaurant I used to go to with her and her friend Freda when I was in high school) and then at Strasburg park until lightning flashed across the sky and Momma made everyone head to the car.

Notice in this pic that his shorts are on backwards. This is pretty typical these days now that I am letting him dress himself. I try to explain that his pants or shoes are on the wrong way, but he always just tells me "they feel good." We pick our battles.

There's no use worrying about the rain though. Back at Granny's more fun was to be had - at least Reid thought so!

No jungle gym to climb? That's okay. Reid will just scale this picnic table - by himself!

What am I supposed to do about this little climber whose only nine months old?!?!

Can you tell he's proud of himself?

Reid wasn't the only one getting a little crazy. These two wild children broke into a pillow fight!

This past week alone we dropped by for two visits. The first was for our normal weekly Monday visit. It was a special treat this time though because Stacey brought Dan and Anabella by as well.

There they go with those coasters again...Ooops, I mean "black pancakes."

Granny had the tents and tunnels out. Hadley started crawling through this one when she first started becoming mobile around Reid's age and she still loves it. Reid should be trying it out soon!

Dan and Caleb have really learned how to play well WITH each other now. They are turning in to some really good playmates. 

Granny is a good playmate too.

Hadley knew we were going to see Anabella that day but was a little confused about where. When we pulled up to Granny's she cried, "Don't want Granny; want Bell!" I explained that Bell was coming to Granny's so as soon as she walked in the house she asked where Bell was. They have always loved each other but especially so now. Bell also loves Baby Reid and wanted her turn to hold him.

After lunch, Mommy always makes Hadley and Caleb go for a nap. Granny's is one of the only places aside from home and NaNa's where I feel I can get them down pretty easily. We have a routine and they know it.

First, I lay down with Hadley on the futon in the toy room until she falls asleep.

Then, I snuggle with Caleb and let him play "Mommy hair" until he falls asleep (and often I even catch a cat nap too because I'm usually more worn out then he is).

The second trip was on Thursday when Granny babysat these rascals so I could go to physical therapy.

She'd purchased a coloring book for Hadley. Knowing this girl loves to color but can make quite a mess of herself with normal markers, this set came with a clear marker that only shows up on the special paper in this book. 

Reid would rather snuggle than color.

Caleb spent the day constructing this large Little People town. It was quite a job to keep Hadley and Reid from destroying it though. When he told us he was almost finished, Hadley, in matter-of-fact manner, very quietly said, "I kick it." Though her little comment was barely audible, Granny caught her little remark and laughed about that little rascal for the rest of the afternoon. 

Yesterday we dropped by again...

Here she comes, Granny!

I'm here...with my teddy bear and my blankie...Open up.

Right for the "black pancakes" they went

What do you want on your plate?

Like the coasters, this little blue pillow has gotten lots of attention too from all the grandkids. It's just a small silky pillow filled with some type of small beans but they all love it for some reason.

Playing with some wooden blocks

 ...and we got a pleasant surprise. The newest member of our family - Colton Theodore Henry (named after my late granddaddy as well as my Uncle Junior - his granddaddy) - stopped by to see his Granny too. Though he's not much older than Baby Colton, Reid was so fascinated and excited to see his new cousin. He just kept climbing and sidling up to Granny looking at him and smiling. It was precious to see his face light up when he tried to touch his little friend. I loved it and so did Granny.

Granny made sure Reid was gentle.

You've got an eager playmate waiting for you to get bigger, Colton.

Does it get any more precious?

Proud big cousin....Dave, I think Reid may be hinting that he'd like one in our family....

I'm thankful for the days we all have together at Granny's and look forward to the ones to come. She's a special lady and I'm glad we live close enough to visit so often. I hope as they grow the kids will always remember the memories they made at Granny's when they were little.