Grandparenting Taken to a Whole New Level

My Dad's parents were already in heaven before I was sent from heaven to earth, but I had the most precious grandmother and grandfather (my Mom's Mom & Dad). My grandmother's claim-to-fame in my books, is that she introduced my husband and I when we were just 13 and 12 years old. Her words were "Ronnie Wuerch says he likes you". My reply was "Tell him I like him, too!" From that point forward, we were destined to be together forever. I loved my grandparents and they loved me so much -- their prayers for me are still working. Their love for God and His Word had such a tremendous impact on my life. As precious as they were in my eyes as a young child, I never knew that "hands on" grandparenting. . I didn't even realize I didn't have it, until years later when I became a grandparent. When our grandparenting time came, we knew we wanted an "up close and personal" relationship with our grandchildren. So from the get-go, we set out to be those doting, over-the-top in love in words and deeds. Way before my first grandson was born, I had a "Hope Chest" of toys, puzzles and books.....that would be at Papa & Nana's house. In fact, to this day, I still have the old Nintendo 64 controllers and games. I still have their favorite book "Barbapapa" and I still have the Lincoln Logs and Legos. They all know they'll find those "treasures" at Nana's house!

If grandparenting hasn't become a part of your world yet, before long, it just may be and my best recommendation to you is to get intimately involved in their lives. While moms and dads are no doubt the greatest influencers, grandparents can come in a close second. We always wanted our grandchildren to know that we pray for them, stand ready to be there for them, and to support them as best we could, given though the miles that may have separated us. I'm, by no means, wanting to be dishing out a guilt trip to anyone that doesn't have that "bent", but I assure you, there is nothing to compare with that precious love. There is nothing sweeter on this earth than to hear "Nana, I love you so much!"

This post today was actually inspired by a sweet grandmother that saw my post yesterday, where I was sharing about the treasure hunts I've provided since all of my grandchildren were little. It's been "Nana's tradition". The treasure hunts end at age 18, but I remember my oldest grandson's dismay when on his 18th birthday I didn't have the treasure hunt ready to go for him, and when I saw that pout, I went into "turbo charge" mode to get it together. LOL! That FB grandmother asked me about those treasure hunts for her grandkids, and rather than just telling her, I share it with you, too, .......just in case......

~ Nana's Treasure Hunts ~
What's Needed: creativity, some extra time, rhyming ability (use the internet -- great for helping us find words that rhyme -- like "Go to the Rose Garden where it smells so sweet; Did I tell you....you have smelly feet?"), pick out places to hide the clues -- the younger they are, the easier the places and when they're older, it really is about "search and rescue", a birthday card that starts the treasure hunt with a clue, notes that have the clue on them and put in a box or envelope -- oftentimes with a bow attached that makes it easier to find in a tree or behind a rock, etc.)
Let the Treasure Hunt Begin:
~ Child opens card -- if younger, an older sibling or parent reads the clue and the fun begins. Note: be careful to not let the older sibling help too much -- it's all about the birthday boy or girl to know it's THEIR Treasure Hunt to find. If they're having trouble with finding the clue, it's okay to provide extra verbal clues along the way.

~ I usually have about 6 to 8 locations with accompanying clues that lead to the final clue and the BIG TREASURE (really not all that big, but it's the birthday gift from the grandparents instead of that gift just being among the mix of all the other gifts the child is given on their birthday.)

~ Simple, but memorable and that's what I'm into. Memorable for them AND me. I sometimes spice it up by using a golf cart to drive them around (that was easy for me living in a 55+ community) to find their clues. Also, sometimes I start the hunt with a theme, like a couple of years ago on Bryson's birthday, the theme was "What does the fox say?" If it's raining -- treasure hunt is in the house. If it's dark, have clues stationed closer to home and use flashlights.

~ Here is a sample of the clues used at my oldest grandson's 9 year old birthday (14 years ago) -- yes, I'm an archiver -- gotta' hang on to the memories! LOL!

Braden, Braden, You’re Our Man
If you can’t find this, no one can!
Now that you’ve been fed --
Your next clue you’ll find in Payton’s baby bed!

One, two, three, four,
Braden’s birthdays have numbered more,
Five, six, seven, eight,
It’s time to celebrate.
Braden is a great big nine.
Oh my goodness, He’s so fine.
Go look inside the washing machine!
You’re next clue may be green!

Where oh where has our little boy gone?
Oh where oh where can he be?
With his eyes so big and his legs so long!
Oh where oh where is he?
And where is the next clue?
Try Papa’s closet - near his shoes!

Braden & Barrett sitting in a tree,
Counting apples - one, two, three,
Up comes the doctor, Up comes the
nurse, then comes the lady with the
alligator purse! Purse?????
Look in Nana’s closet by her purse!

I love you. You love me.
We’re a happy family.
With a great big hug and
a kiss from me to you
Look under the table where
you chew, chew, chew!

Braden Cole is so cool!
He’s the best when it comes to school!
He’s kind and sweet to everyone!
That’s why we think he’s so much fun!
Now look by the tree in the big backyard!
That’s where you’ll find the very last card!

NOW -- go out there and make a difference in your grandchildren's world. Be silly and energetic and bring wonder to their eyes and hearts with your love that makes them feel so happy you're in their lives. I promise you -- it will be worth the effort!

Fun in the Summer Sun

Day 215 of Photo Inspirations -- Fun in the Summer Sun!!
Before I ever had grandchildren, I had a Hope Chest for them.  I collected so many toys and games -- I was totally prepared for making Nana's house a Fun House.  And it always has been.  "Papa", my husband turned one of our upstairs bedrooms into a complete, totally authentic, indoor cabin for our first three grandsons. The boys thought they were outdoors because of all the outdoor decor', log walls and bunk beds.  And our girl had a bedroom at our house that was all princess style and as frue frue as it could be. At that season of our lives.....they were our world and our world was about "frogs, snails and puppy dog tails", as well as "sugar and spice and everything nice"!

Over the years, we were on purpose to be those over-the-top grandparents that made sure our time together was quality PLUS time.  And that hasn't changed even though, today, I'm going it as a single -- and I still give it all I've got for having fun.

Yesterday was no exception.  My 3 youngest grandchildren, plus big brother, are here with me.  Here's how our day went:
1) Fishing in my pond (that's a must -- fishing poles are lined up in the garage).
2) Special Dice Game created by Nana -- where the winner gets to claim a prize (wrapped up Dollar Store items) from the treasure chest.
3) Playing with Cra-Z-Sand -- all kinds of molds for lots of creativity.
4) A must when coming to Nana's -- a trip to the Dollar Store -- each kid gets to pick several items.

5) Hanging out at the swimming pool & putting green with a picnic lunch.
6) Fishing again -- Bryson caught a fish -- Bear took it off the hook
7) Played 20-year old Nintendo 64 games -- I love how they still want to play it, even though they have the latest of technology with them and at home.
8) Built a Lincoln Log city.
9) Played Apples to Apples
10)  Watched a movie

11)  Painted rocks
12)  Played Pickleball
13)  Kids took lasagne over to a neighbor recovering from surgery
14)  More fishing at the end of the day.

What's the best thing about having grandkids?  Having little people to remind me that I am loved, and as tired as I may be at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade a minute of the time we have together.   My house has fishing equipment ready to go for today, toys are picked up and shoved to a corner,  their shoes are scattered from door to door, two of them slept in my room with me last night, and each of them in their own way have my heart.  Six grandkids ranging in ages from 8 to 23 -- and I can honestly say -- each and every one of them have had our undivided attention and each have been made to know how much we love them.

Perhaps you're a new grandparent or a veteran grandparent or one day, you'll get to be a card-carrying grandparent.  Get ready for the time of your life.  There's nothing like it!  When our kids were little, we never realized how fast time would fly by, but now that we know, squeezing as much into these precious years with our grandkids will have monumental rewards long after we're no longer here.  I know that's true by how my grandkids still talk about "Papa".  I see the impact he had on their lives.  Today, while fishing, Bryson (our youngest) talked a lot about Papa and what a great fishermen he was. The time Papa invested into these six, was so worth it.  And, that's what I'm doing too.  Slowing down and becoming completely absorbed in their world, let's them know how much they matter to us.   Slowing down and putting all those "necessary essentials" aside as much as possible to let them know our time with them is the most important thing we can be doing when they're with us.. These times together are treasures, so I'm treasuring them.  Sunday will be here and they'll go home.  I'll admit I'll be singing "Silent Night Holy Night all is calm" but for today......I'm really busy making this day count!!!