We spent a day with our grandchildren this past week and saw them several other days as well when we drove them from school or activities. It was a busy week but a great one which we thoroughly enjoyed.
My husband and I, as former teachers, always plan for days with the kids though we are never stuck for things to do when they visit. Over time, we have come to realize what the children really want is our time and attention, for us to engage with them. The medium doesn’t really matter. A cuddle on the couch, a game of hide and seek or art/crafts work equally well as long as we are involved too.
That day, when they arrived at our house, we generated a list of toiletries people need and shopped for the list of items which we donated locally.
A walk along the boardwalk with peanuts always attracts the animals which the kids thoroughly enjoy. The chickadees love to eat from one’s hand when shelled peanuts are offered.
Squirrels love peanuts in shells and will take those with uncracked shells back to their dreys.
That day, we had Daisy with us too, their three month old Golden Retriever which is the latest addition to the family.
Daisy loves to interact with other dogs which causes others to stop and interact with us too.
Walking a dog is a wonderful way to meet people. The children were pleased to speak with people.
At home with their mother and step father, the kids have a daily limit of time on devices. While they complained at first, they have days now when they don’t use that time at all.
After lunch, we had quiet time for a half hour and while the seniors rested, the children could use I-Pads. The girls asked every five minutes if the time was up. They were anxious to do the craft project we were doing for the Christmas table. We will celebrate Christmas early this year since they will be away for Christmas. Meanwhile less time on devices is always a good thing!
Later, before they left, we all watched part of the Grinch movie which we quite enjoyed. We didn’t get any baking done, although their grandfather and I had prepared to do several recipes with them. Consequently the list of projects for next Saturday with the children is growing.
It was a busy day but a great one for making memories. Besides, the troubles of the world are forgotten when one spends time with children. I wish people everywhere could enjoy such a carefree day. The world needs more of those.
42 comments:
This sounds wonderful, my friend. What cozy, memorable days you are enjoying with your grandchildren. What a cute little pup too! Thank you for inspiring quiet, comfy, quality time in this fast-paced world.
That sounds so great! And I love Daisy, more of her, please. My sister used to say of children that what they wanted was to talk and be listened to. I think you might agree.
Great policy about screen time! And equally great that the kids were more excited about doing Christmas crafts with you than spending time online. You're creating memories with them that will last a lifetime.
How fun to spend time with the grandchildren and it sounds like they love it too. Walking a dog does seem to be a great way to meet people and he/she is adorable.
Daisy is adorable! We had a golden, Bailey, probably our most loving dog. All she wanted to do was please.
Spending time with grandchildren is so much fun. How great to be outdoors with them, and do crafts and baking. Less screen time is always a good thing, we find, too.
These days are fleeting. Enjoy.
Perfection. You are wise grandparents. We have a yellow lab named Daisy. She was quite the character when young, but now is old and stiff. Such a sweet girl still.
So sweet that you got to spend time with your grandbabies and the cutest dog ever!
it sounds like you've all been having a great time. I totally agree that all children really need is our time. When i worked with disabled children that was something I always kept in mind. One particular young man liked me to help him with his Lego. But, here's the thing, I rarely even touched a piece of Lego. My only purpose was to sit beside him and make an occasional comment - "Ah, I see, that piece goes there" - just enough to let him know I was taking an interest in what he was doing. I was frequently rewarded by being told that I was the best person in the world at helping with Lego.
Time and attention is all they want you're right. Lovely.
And that puppy! Oh I want one!!!
Yes and amen..there is nothing like being with the Grands, whatever their age.
You definitely made memories that will last a life time.
Love the photo of the bird eating from the kids hand.
Sue
I am thrilled, for all of you, that you have had these special days. Thank you for your donations too.
I think I would love to come back as a dog who is blessed to have such a loving family. I don't often wish I had grandchildren, but you always show me what I'm missing. I'll just enjoy yours along with you! :-)
You have a nice recipe in how to spend time with your grandkids and you all seem to enjoy each other and that's great. I absolutely love Daisy, what a cutie.
It sounds like a great time with grandchildren. I agree time and attention is all the children and also adults need. It's the most precious gift!
Lovely family and will included Daisy.
Coffee is on.
What fun with the grandchildren! I do so enjoy the time I get to spend with my Eli too. There is always laughter and lots of snuggles too.
That Daisy is a real cutie!
What the world needs is more Grandmas to spend time with grandchildren. You set up some good activities with these kids.
Serious case of puppy envy here ... except not envying the training.
My youngest grandkid is now, sob, twenty and away at university. I miss the mad days of child sitting while her parents went places and did things. They were all daycare kids, though, and you hit dead on about the activities. they expected Planned Participation and plenty of it.
But, oh, how I loved your description and how I miss them, fingerprints, open frig door and all.
Take photos! Cherish every minute. Before you turn around, they will be describing their calculus final. And trailing a boyfriend.
My, how those children have grown. Nice to see them feeding birds, by hand.
Marie, Daisy appears to be enjoying the outing as much as, or more than, your three wonderful Grandchildren.
Such a very special Sunday for you and Rick.
Marie, that is truly special to spend such quality time with your grandchildren. I loved your idea of buying things together for the needy, and donating them. So wonderful that the girls were more excited about crafts than playing on the internet - making things brings so much more joy! You are so right - time in the presence of children brings a joy that nothing in the world can do. Blessings to you dear friend!
What a lovely blessing. I am sure you realize that.
It sounds like you had a great time, I could not agree more, children seem to spend so much time on computers and phones these days that they do not socialise. Your grandchildren sound like they are doing well. Cheers Diane
Time spent with the grandchildren is wonderful time.
We have many things in common: the way of spending time with them, feeding the birds, the golden retriever (2 of them have a golden retriever), the I-pad, the Grinch movie... and my wife is a former teacher.
Hello,
It is a joy to spend time with our grandchildren. I am sure they love all the activities you plan for their visits. It is always great to get them off their phones and computers. Daisy is adorable, what a cute pup! Take care, have a great day!
Hi Marie,
Your post is a wonderful confirmation of happiness is being with the grandchildren.😊 What a neat day you had with the kids. I love the way their parents have helped them put limits on the use of internet devices. Little Daisy … oh my goodness … what a sweet puppy!
John
Marie, it was wonderful to read this post about time spent with your grandchildren and how wonderful that they enjoyed time away from their devices. We spent the holiday with family and it seemed that both the young and the adults were connected to their phones at least part of the time. It's nice that you have several projects planned for the next visit. Time spent together is certainly well spent.
Thanks for your recent visit and comment on our blog, much appreciated, and we hope you will re-visit in the future as I will too. Grenville is more the "silent" partner.
Hello and good morning from a rainy morning in Portugal. I loved your post about spending time with your grandchildren. It was a good idea to start weaning your grand kids off their devises. I like the photo of them on the board walk, all wearing their cute woollen hats with their beautiful puppy Daisy. My grand kids are both in their thirties now, the youngest being 35, but all the memories of them when they were youngsters and in our care, are cherished memories ingrained in my heart for ever.
All the best,
Sonjia.
Thank you for your wonderful photos... how beautiful...
a day with the grandchildren :-))
We're planning on doing it next weekend. I'm really looking forward to it.
I have never been able to feed the tits by hand... nice experience... nice photo.
I send you many greetings and wish you much joy in preparing for the first Advent.
Hug from Viola
what a great post...describing a wonderful day!! you are so intentional, my goal in the new year is to be more intentional myself. that's a great image of the chickadee, that would bring joy to any person of any age!!
i love the childrens hats, and i love that they all wear the same one. best you rest up for the next visit, they are so joyful and exhausting!!
Wonderful family time!
Cute puppy!
Have a great weekend!
Everything in this post is exactly what I wish ALL extended families could experience, Marie: the buying and giving to others in need, the outside time shared with animals/birds, craft activities, minimal time on mobile devices, etc., etc. THESE are the memories we want our grandkids to remember. Memories they're look back on and cherish forever!
such a lovely sharing dear Marie
i love how you plan to play and eat with children ,no doubt for beautiful hearts as yours nothing is more valuable than such precious times together :)
amazing how your daughter had made them habitual to use devices less
everyone needs to follow this indeed because the beauty of actual life is gone since kids are lost in such fake pleasurers
Beautiful pup. And wow with the bird eating out of the hand. Awesome.
Your grandies look lovely even from..their back!
Their hats, shoes, and dog perfectly adequate for a walk!
What a wonderful time you all had!!
I like care free days too! When I go to my children's houses I play with cars, trains and dinosaurs or I spend time undressing and dressing Barbie dolls for fashion shows. :)
Spending time with grandchildren sounds like a lot of fun.
I love reading about the days you spend with your grandchildren. It always makes me smile and reminds me of good days with my grandparents.
Those grandchildren grow up all too fast, Marie, so enjoy them while you may. One of ours is already talking about moving across the country.
Daisy is a cutie.
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