Grandparents play an important role in raising children. Even though we lived far from our children's grandparents for a decade, they were still a big part of our lives. We didn't have face-time or google-chat or skype or smart phones back then, but we did talk on the phone with the Grandmas and the Grandpas from time to time, and there were weekly letters to read and write.
Both sets of grandparents also came to visit us, especially the Grandmas. They would each come to spend a week or more with every new baby, and sometimes Grandpa's would even come along. They were wonderful to visit and play with, to visit some of our favorite playgrounds and historical sites, and to even help with the cooking and cleaning and sewing and other chores!
Between DD3 and DD4 the time was right to move back closer to our families. Since then we have lived just several blocks away from one set of Grandparents and an hour's drive away from the other Grandparents. This made it much easier for the grandparents to attend important occasions such as birthdays, baptisms, concerts, dance recitals and graduations. It also made it easier for us to attend family dinners, reunions, camping trips and other events.
We even had a great grandpa to visit now.
Visits to Grandma and Grandpa's houses usually meant new and different books to read, toys to play with, movies to watch, and cousins to visit with. There were picnics in the canyon and hot dog roasts or barbeques in the back yard. There were dogs and cats and cows and horses and swings. And of course there were always treats like homemade bread and cookies and milk and ice cream. Grandpa hosted the traditional July 24th party with numerous games involving balloons and chalk and water, and races . . . and quarters, nickles, dimes and even dollar bills! Grandpa was also good at finding remodeling projects or yard work or other chores for the kids to help out with.
Playing balloon darts at Grandpa's house.
And over course, grandparents have the perfect lap to sit on, tell the very best stories, and give the very best hugs!
What are your favorite memories of with your grandparents?
This was beautiful! I have SO many memories of my grandparents. They literally made my childhood SO good. I am thankful that they were always there for me, and gave me such a love for adventure!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have happy memories of your grandparents. I would love to read some of them!
DeleteMy nanna loved to sew. There was a theatre near her and she would often make costumes for them. I loved to see all the net hanging on her door..so colourful
ReplyDelete(a-z visitor)
I think my grandmothers both did a lot of sewing in their lives, but not much when I was young as they were quite elderly by the time I made my appearance. Both of my kids' grandmothers sewed too, but it sounds like your nanna was a wonderful seamstress. What fun memories for you!
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