July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Grandparents have something to give (03/30/2009)
As I See It
By By DIANA DOLECKI-
It has been more than a week since I saved Polly Pocket from the bathtub drain. I haven't taken any pictures of sleeping kittens wearing earrings this week. I haven't lost any sword fights, either.
I miss it.
Polly Pocket is granddaughter Emma's latest fixation. The dolls are tiny and sized for toddlers. Their accessories are infinitesimal. The clothes are a rubbery plastic and easier for small hands to maneuver than regular doll clothes are. They don't mind getting wet but since they are so small they will go down the drain if one is not careful. Polly and her accessories are quite happy residing in a plastic cup after bath time.
Emma's friends, Paige and Nathaniel, stayed with us while I was there for the birth of Jacob. Emma loves jewelry and seldom was seen without several bracelets, necklaces and her crown. One day Emma and Paige decided that one of the napping kittens also needed jewelry. They proceeded to drape several necklaces over the cat's head. Then they attached sparkly earrings! The cat never woke up while all this was going on.
Nathaniel was into sword fights. Emma had received Nerf swords for her birthday this past January. In the manner of a cartoon character, his arms and legs would grow back whenever I would "cut them off" with my sword. We had a blast.
At one point I was the designated "witch" and I decided to use this to my advantage. I cast a "sleeping spell" for a blessed few minutes of quiet. It wore off much too soon.
The children declared that I was not a regular adult; that I was crazy and short. It might have been because I delighted in playing with them and cuddling them. I think I held all three children as much as I held the new baby. I'm not sure they were used to that kind of attention.
Emma is tiny, slight and perfect. Her dog bite wounds are healing nicely. At one point she noticed my scar from my thyroid operation. I explained what it was and told her that it was similar to the one she had from the dog bite. After that she wouldn't leave it alone. I wonder what she was thinking about as she tried to smooth it out.
It reminded me of my girlfriend's story of her grandson stroking her neck. When she asked what he was doing he replied, "Grandma, you have ruffles!"
After the baby came home, Emma wanted me to read to him. As we finished each story, she placed the book gently in his lap so he could look at it. It didn't matter that the baby was fast asleep. It is only a matter of time before she adorns him with jewelry and applies lip-gloss to his tiny mouth.
Did I mention that she goes through more lip-gloss than anybody else I know? She also has "special" lip-gloss in case her lower lip gets to hurting from the dog bite.
I enjoyed snuggling with all of them. I even cuddled my daughter when she let me. I firmly believe that children can never be held too much. When they have had enough they will wiggle away and find something or someone else to play with.
My daughter remarked that it was interesting to see the different grandparenting styles. I am most definitely a hands-on grandma. I cuddle, read, wrestle and play as much as they will allow. I slip them marshmallows just because I can. I let them get dirty planting flowers. I encourage them to pick weeds and tell them they are beautiful bouquets.
I do my best to spoil them with affection while I can. Other grandparents entertain them by putting a movie on. Some grandparents think that grandchildren should "go play" and not bother the adults.
I don't remember my grandparents ever playing with me. They were more the "go play" type.
I do remember how secure I felt when my grandfather and I would watch thunderstorms and we would revel in the power of the weather. I remember him teaching me how to whistle by imitating the quail hiding in the pasture. I remember the stories of the past that my grandmother would tell.
All grandparents have something to give to their grandchildren. It doesn't matter if that something is a cuddle, attention or a lesson in how to amuse ones self. Grandparents are as necessary to children as parents are. We all have different approaches but all of us have the child's welfare at heart.[[In-content Ad]]
I miss it.
Polly Pocket is granddaughter Emma's latest fixation. The dolls are tiny and sized for toddlers. Their accessories are infinitesimal. The clothes are a rubbery plastic and easier for small hands to maneuver than regular doll clothes are. They don't mind getting wet but since they are so small they will go down the drain if one is not careful. Polly and her accessories are quite happy residing in a plastic cup after bath time.
Emma's friends, Paige and Nathaniel, stayed with us while I was there for the birth of Jacob. Emma loves jewelry and seldom was seen without several bracelets, necklaces and her crown. One day Emma and Paige decided that one of the napping kittens also needed jewelry. They proceeded to drape several necklaces over the cat's head. Then they attached sparkly earrings! The cat never woke up while all this was going on.
Nathaniel was into sword fights. Emma had received Nerf swords for her birthday this past January. In the manner of a cartoon character, his arms and legs would grow back whenever I would "cut them off" with my sword. We had a blast.
At one point I was the designated "witch" and I decided to use this to my advantage. I cast a "sleeping spell" for a blessed few minutes of quiet. It wore off much too soon.
The children declared that I was not a regular adult; that I was crazy and short. It might have been because I delighted in playing with them and cuddling them. I think I held all three children as much as I held the new baby. I'm not sure they were used to that kind of attention.
Emma is tiny, slight and perfect. Her dog bite wounds are healing nicely. At one point she noticed my scar from my thyroid operation. I explained what it was and told her that it was similar to the one she had from the dog bite. After that she wouldn't leave it alone. I wonder what she was thinking about as she tried to smooth it out.
It reminded me of my girlfriend's story of her grandson stroking her neck. When she asked what he was doing he replied, "Grandma, you have ruffles!"
After the baby came home, Emma wanted me to read to him. As we finished each story, she placed the book gently in his lap so he could look at it. It didn't matter that the baby was fast asleep. It is only a matter of time before she adorns him with jewelry and applies lip-gloss to his tiny mouth.
Did I mention that she goes through more lip-gloss than anybody else I know? She also has "special" lip-gloss in case her lower lip gets to hurting from the dog bite.
I enjoyed snuggling with all of them. I even cuddled my daughter when she let me. I firmly believe that children can never be held too much. When they have had enough they will wiggle away and find something or someone else to play with.
My daughter remarked that it was interesting to see the different grandparenting styles. I am most definitely a hands-on grandma. I cuddle, read, wrestle and play as much as they will allow. I slip them marshmallows just because I can. I let them get dirty planting flowers. I encourage them to pick weeds and tell them they are beautiful bouquets.
I do my best to spoil them with affection while I can. Other grandparents entertain them by putting a movie on. Some grandparents think that grandchildren should "go play" and not bother the adults.
I don't remember my grandparents ever playing with me. They were more the "go play" type.
I do remember how secure I felt when my grandfather and I would watch thunderstorms and we would revel in the power of the weather. I remember him teaching me how to whistle by imitating the quail hiding in the pasture. I remember the stories of the past that my grandmother would tell.
All grandparents have something to give to their grandchildren. It doesn't matter if that something is a cuddle, attention or a lesson in how to amuse ones self. Grandparents are as necessary to children as parents are. We all have different approaches but all of us have the child's welfare at heart.[[In-content Ad]]
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