SuperGramma

Five-year-old grandson loves to go to the library. I allow him to choose his own titles, which are usually about dinosaurs, bugs, lizards, or snakes. There is something about creepy crawlies that appeals to boys that age. His favorite television shows right now are Dinosaur Dan and The Dinosaur Train.

Anyway, back to the books. When we get home with his chosen picture books, we sit on the couch and read them, one by one. Then they may sit on the shelf for days until he wants to look at them again. But there’s something about a new book that draws a person, no matter what their age, to open its pages and enter another world.

I hope as grandson gets older, his love of books will remain, no matter how many other interests enter his life. I keep our house filled with stories from Dr.Seuss, Robert Munch, and many other special authors. How do you instill a love of reading in your grandchildren?

Technorati Tags: books for children, reading

My youngest daughter and her family went camping last weekend. After their first night in the tent, Grandson had spots all over his forehead. Looked like he was attacked by an army of mosquitoes. By noon, Grandbaby Girl had them too and Grandson was covered. Being the all-wise grandmother I am, I looked at the medical book and confidently stated they had the measles.

By the next morning, the spots looked a little different and Grandbaby had a strange cough. No doctor’s appointments available, so off I went with daughter and the kids to the walk-in clinic. The verdict – chickenpox, although a more rare kind that doesn’t form pox and then break. Grandson was still feeling fine, but Grandbaby had a fever now and her breathing was terrible sounding. Doctor said take her to the hospital emergency department as it could be serious. So off we went again, this time leaving Grandson with Poppa.

A few hours later, Grandbaby was admitted to hospital suffering from severe croup as well as chickenpox and spent the night and following day. Mom, of course, stayed too and Grandson got to sleep at Gramma’s house. He never acted as though he was upset that Mom and baby sister were in the hospital -  after all, he’s five years old. But his favorite stuffed dog never left his arms and when sister finally came home he kept hugging her. For a few days after, they even managed to play together.

Home at last

It was hard to see Grandbaby so ill, although I know that is the daily experience of many families. It did make us realize again that people are more important than things and we need to cherish our times together while we can. So if you can see your grandkids, give them a hug and let them know how special they are to you. And if they can’t be with you, keep them in your prayers and close to your heart.

Technorati Tags: chicken pox, croup, sick grandkids