Emmet 6, Henry 4, Eleanor not quite 2
I haven’t posted about visits to Newton in awhile. I hadn’t seen the kids in what seemed like forever, which is anything over two weeks, so even though we plan to see them next weekend, I made the trip up.
I arrived earlier than expected so when I pulled into the driveway, there were no little faces at the window or door like there usually is. I greeted Leah and Eleanor, who takes a little bit to warm up to me, and Moose in the kitchen. Eleanor pulled her little mushroom stool up to the island so she could stand on it and see over. The boys were downstairs playing Mario Cart and they made an appearance at the top of the stairs to invite me down. I reached for Eleanor and she reached her little arms up to allow me to lift her. Melt my Grandma heart. She took me in her room and we played with her dollies. She handed me hats to put on them and said “hat” clearly each time. She has a stuffed skunk in her crib she calls “stinky”. So cute!
I played a little Mario Cart with the boys with Eleanor scrunched up beside me. I love watching their little faces while they play. The announce when they eat or fireball someone with such enthusiasm. Emmet carefully explains to me what is happening. They celebrate everyone’s wins.
We gathered for lunch at the table. Emmet and Henry kept getting up to take turns running as fast as they could to show me that “apples make you fast, Gramma.” Leah kept encouraging them to eat their pizza and Mac and cheese to fill their tummies and make them strong. Emmet announced that “Mac and cheese make you bounce” so he got up to demonstrate that. Eleanor stuffed a bunch of food in her little cheeks and handed food back and forth with Leah.
On the way back down the stairs, Eleanor pointed at Emmet and said his name clearly then at herself and said, “Eleanor”, her mouth carefully in a big O to make the OR very clear. It was precious. I asked her who I am and she said “Mama” but she says it different than when she is talking about Leah. Later she had a different sound and sometimes she says Grandma fairly clearly.
While Eleanor napped, the boys and I played the Mario board game they created and then we played a very active and noisy game of soccer with Emmet as the goalie and Henry and I on the same team. Henry hugged me enthusiastically every time he or I got a good shot or a goal. I love his hugs especially because they are earned, not given at hello or goodbye.
After quiet time, Leah sun screened up the kids, Moose licking it off and lots of giggling and squirming ensued. I helped put Eleanor’s precious blue swimsuit and little y elbow sandals and then we piled in the car, Emmet and Henry can snap their own car seat buckles. Emmet chatted the whole way to the pool and as we passed below the interstate, he said we were in the “magic tunnel to Hesston.”
We put on the kids’ floaties and got in the baby pool. The kids giggled and splashed and grinned the entire time. Emmet practiced his back floating and Eleanor had to imitate him, complete with closed eyes. All three swam to me with their little arms out. Eleanor loved the kite that someone was flying nearby and kept pointing it out. Eleanor got cold periodically and would come sit with me on the patio chairs, wrapped in her little towel. She sat calmly and just watched people.
After swim time, we had to get ice cream so decided to go downtown to Prairy. Of course we had to make a quick trip by my favorite boutique and Etcetera shop. We got our ice cream and buckled back in and went home. We enjoyed our ice cream and then I took a shower. I forgot my towel and called for Leah. Emmet came to the door. “You need help, Grandma?” He ran upstairs and got my towel then waited for me right outside the door.
We finished with a game of Pigsty while Henry cried it out in his room as he wanted to play a different game. Sometimes as an adult, I feel the way he did and wish I could let it out like that.
I decided to head home for dinner and the evening with Scott. Eleanor hugged me goodbye and said “Bye Namma” or something like that loudly a bunch of times. Emmet walked me to the door, thanked me for coming, and closed my car door. He stood in the driveway and watched me pull out.
I love them so much.
dianegclark 