Projects planned for visit

I am preparing for a trip to see the grandkids. We haven’t decided exactly when this will be, but I have decided it is time to start amassing projects to take with us. There are so many things I want to do during the short time we have with them. I have started a list so that I don’t forget anything.
Granddaughter Emma wants to learn how to carve. As she is only seven years old, I think she is still a little too young and uncoordinated for sharp carving tools. I have ordered a book on soap carving for her. The description says it includes instructions for making carving tools out of popsicle sticks. I figure she can still injure herself with these but at least she can’t cut her arm off. Besides, if the little boys want to get in on the action, it should be safe enough for them to try. I’ll let you know if this project is successful or not.
I was hoping to share the carving project with the two bonus grandchildren, as they are a little bit older. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we are going to get to see them this time. Maybe we can do it the next time we get to visit with them.
I also enjoy cooking with the kids. During our last visit then 3-year-old Jacob and I made meatloaf. He enjoyed mooshing up all the ingredients even though he thought the mixture was too cold. He prefers to use his hands rather than spoons or forks to mix with. After it came out of the oven he declared that he “didn’t like that.” When I told him that he had to try it because he made it himself, he took one tiny bite. A big smile spread across his face as he decided he liked it after all.
We also made deviled eggs. Jacob seems to be the egg lover in the family. I quickly realized that we didn’t prepare nearly enough of them. Youngest grandson, Nicholas, doesn’t like eggs. I’m not sure how Emma feels about it as she was at her dad’s that day.
I plan to introduce them to chocolate covered bananas, homemade soft pretzels, and any number of other creations. I know Emma likes various art projects. Jacob and Nicholas want to do whatever Emma does. I have new books to read to them that are no more than an excuse to cuddle with my favorite people and a nice change from the king cobra versus the Komodo dragon story I had to read several times a day the last time we were there.
Mostly, my husband and I are looking forward to days dominated by little kids. We are looking forward to having our usual routines upended. In reality, we don’t need to take anything down there but ourselves. Attention is what children need more than anything else. They need someone to chase them around. They need someone to get down on the floor with them and play with cars. They need someone to listen to them.
In turn, we need little ones in our lives. We need to be presented with new points of view. We need to remember that a bug can be just as much of a plaything as any store-bought item can be. We need to feel small hands tugging at ours. We need the unconditional love of grandchildren as much as they need to feel our unconditional love. I can’t wait to see them all again.[[In-content Ad]]