The Maggie Stay Over went quite well. I'm a little sleepy today due to a Magnolia June bug who woke up frequently in the night and then decided at the crack of dawn it was time to get up. I convinced her to go back to sleep but not for long.
But you know- that's how it goes.
Before she got here yesterday, I was telling her grandfather that she would sleep with me and he could sleep in the guest room. "I think that would work best," he said. And then he added, "For me."
Ah-lah.
For some magical reason the go-kart only seems to work when Maggie's here. Yesterday proved the same so she and Boppy rode around until they ran out of gas out by the old barn and then they kicked bamboo for awhile. Maggie loved kicking bamboo as all the children seem to do.
We ate supper in the Glen Den and were going to let Maggie pick out something on TV to watch but she shocked us when she said, "Let's not have the TV on. Let's just talk."
And so we did.
She had a delightful bath and was the first person to use the tub after Mr. Moon had replaced the faucets and shower attachment. The old ones had been dripping and the shower attachment was broken and he'd finally found one online that would work as a replacement. It arrived in good time and had been sitting on the floor of the bathroom in its box for a few days and yesterday I reminded my husband that Maggie would probably need a nice warm bath before bed and by golly, he got up and immediately proceeded to get that job done. It took him most of the day but he did it. He is a fine handyman.
Before we went to sleep, instead of me reading to Maggie, she read to me! She really wanted to and so we she went through a large part of "Are You My Mother?" and I did have to help her with some words but she knows a lot of them. I was gobsmacked! What a smart kid!
It got unseasonably chilly here last night- down into the forties- so Maggie and I slept under the duck. We were quite cozy. She offered Isabella to Boppy to sleep with since he had no one to cuddle and he graciously accepted. When he made up his bed in the guest room, this happened.
He informed me this morning that she had not disturbed him at all.
Lucky him.
Lucky him.
When Maggie and I did get up, I rushed to make pancakes and bacon and eggs because she had dance at 10:30 and I had to get her dressed and there with ballet shoes on. Phew! We did it!
Gibson has hip-hop dance at 11:30 and Lily met me there when she brought him. I needed to go to Publix which is right next door and Owen, who was waiting in the car, decided that he'd go with me. I was so thrilled to stroll around Publix with my taller-than-me handsome grandson. He's so sweet. And funny. And smart. And get this- yesterday he lent me a book which he thought I'd like! I can't tell you how much this thrills me and you can bet I'm going to read it.
On my way into town and back, I went via the interstate which meant that I drove past the spot where they are obviously going to build the Dollar General store. It is NOT all the way out by the interstate exchange but in fact, pretty darn close to here. And by god, they're clearing wetlands. WETLANDS!
How the hell are they getting this okayed? As I have said, I do not want to be all NIMBY about this and I realize full well how important this business is going to be to many neighbors but Jesus Christ. I need to talk to my city commissioner and get some answers.
When I got home, I saw some people in the yard next door and went over to meet my new neighbors. Finally. I only met the husband and his sister as his wife was in town. He is indeed a sheriff and I guess it's going to be okay. He did say he wanted to take the magnolia out between our properties and I didn't know what to say about that except, "Oh. I love magnolias."
It's a giant and I'd hate to see it cut down but he doesn't like the cones they drop or the leaves and the way they hold water where mosquitoes can breed. And it ain't my tree.
How the hell are they getting this okayed? As I have said, I do not want to be all NIMBY about this and I realize full well how important this business is going to be to many neighbors but Jesus Christ. I need to talk to my city commissioner and get some answers.
When I got home, I saw some people in the yard next door and went over to meet my new neighbors. Finally. I only met the husband and his sister as his wife was in town. He is indeed a sheriff and I guess it's going to be okay. He did say he wanted to take the magnolia out between our properties and I didn't know what to say about that except, "Oh. I love magnolias."
It's a giant and I'd hate to see it cut down but he doesn't like the cones they drop or the leaves and the way they hold water where mosquitoes can breed. And it ain't my tree.
Just about the time I got my groceries in the house, Vergil and Levon came out. Vergil and Mr. Moon had planned to work on both of the Weatherford vehicles. Levon was asleep in his daddy's truck but I heated up some lunch for the two men and made my black bean soup. Then Levon woke up and he got fed
and we read about five books which delighted me. He was back and forth between the house and garage all afternoon and we made a bracelet for him among other things. I do enjoy talking with him. He is a fine conversationalist if you are the type of person who likes to talk about Captain Underpants and things like P.P. Poopy Pants. That may not be how you spell it. I myself find these subjects hysterical so we're cool. He has an amazing vocabulary and constantly surprises me with how he uses it.
Jessie had to go BACK to the doctor today. She's had a horrible time with this illness and says it's probably the sickest she's ever been. And of course, she's been dealing with sick kids all week too. She and August came out in the car that we lent her while her daddy's working on her car, to pick up Vergil and Levon. We got to visit a little and I just feel so bad for her. She's as pale as wan ghost. I knew that sickness has definitely been the main theme for them this past week when Levon, on his way out to the garage, paused, turned, and asked, "How are you feeling?"
"I feel fine!" I said. I'm not sure that I've ever had a four-year old ask me how I was feeling in my life.
"How are you feeling?" I asked him.
"Great!" he said and off he ran.
So it's been a grandparent weekend so far and I'm ready for a good night's sleep. I'd say How do parents do it? but I know from vast experience that parents do it with nothing more than the knowledge that they have to. And sheer grit, determination, courage, strength, and the best sense of humor they can maintain.
"I feel fine!" I said. I'm not sure that I've ever had a four-year old ask me how I was feeling in my life.
"How are you feeling?" I asked him.
"Great!" he said and off he ran.
So it's been a grandparent weekend so far and I'm ready for a good night's sleep. I'd say How do parents do it? but I know from vast experience that parents do it with nothing more than the knowledge that they have to. And sheer grit, determination, courage, strength, and the best sense of humor they can maintain.
Sorry I haven't answered comments in two days but, well, it's been a little busy around here. I haven't even made the bed yet! This is unheard of. And yet...priorities. And grandchildren always are. There has been a lot of joy in being around them the past day or so. They are so different and so smart and so funny and so kind. Their parents are doing an excellent job.
And speaking of parents- I do believe that Miss Darla is going broody. She hasn't settled into one nest yet but she's showing all of the signs. Here we go again.
Maybe.
Probably.
Love...Ms. Moon
"she said, "Let's not have the TV on. Let's just talk." Wow, Miss Magnolia June! Followed by Owen accompanying you to Publix AND loaning you a book, AND Levon asking how you were feeling. Joys upon Joys!
ReplyDeleteSure hoping Jessie feels better soon!
Chris from Boise
I have lovely grandchildren, don't I?
DeleteJessie is so tired of being sick. I guess we could truly say that she is sick and tired.
You have had an amazing grandchild weekend. I loved it when grandchildren made sure they were near enough to hear every word the adults said to each other, but far enough off not to be shooed away for verboten subjects. Like we didn't know what they were up to.
ReplyDeleteOwen is good at that. Hank used to listen to everything he thought he could get away with listening to. Kids are so damn smart. And curious.
DeleteThat was so sweet and thoughtful of Magnolia to let Isabella sleep with Boppy.
ReplyDeleteI know!
DeleteWhat fun you've had with the grands. Sleep well tonight.
ReplyDeleteOh, honey. I did.
DeleteLovely times at the Moon house! I am sorry for Jessie, and Esabella is wonderful, and how nice that Maggie shared her with Mr. Moon. Sleep well.
ReplyDeleteMaggie is a sweet soul.
DeleteLove all of this- I love your family so much I can almost taste them! EEsabella is a lucky dolly, Maggie is the best mom/friend/magic child. Darling girl!
ReplyDeleteI also love the magnolia tree that I have not met but want to save! "I shot the sheriff" comes to mind. Dang! I hope that Jesse does not have pneumonia, it is such a dark , long illness!
Thank you for the sleep over, that was swell- have a martini and relax- you have SO earned it!
I don't think we're worried about pneumonia at this point. It's been a torture in her ears, though. She honestly thought the eardrums had perforated. But the NP's said no. Jessie said that every night when she goes to bed it seems like some new part of the sickness makes itself known. She's exhausted.
DeleteI'm sure you know this but Mr. Moon is an extremely handsome man.
ReplyDeleteI do! And I tell him that all the time.
DeleteMagnolia June is such a doll. I am sorry to hear that Jessie is still sick. Honestly, I feel like we're all sick in little or big ways of late -- do you know what I mean? It's like the pandemic has brought illness and not feeling good or right to the forefront of our minds and bodies. I don't know exactly how to articulate this at all, but to tell you the truth, I haven't felt quite well in over two years.
ReplyDeleteGod, Elizabeth- same here! Not really sick but not really well, either. In a way it's a comfort to hear you say that.
DeleteI miss having young grandchildren visit, mine are all grown with the youngest turning 18 in about seven weeks and the new twins not born yet.
ReplyDeleteMine will be grown before I know it. They just do that, don't they?
DeleteWill the twins be grandkids or great grandkids?
Grandkids, my youngest son is finally to be a daddy. At 41.
DeleteIt's very liberal of you to allow your husband to sleep in the spare room with another woman. I guess the happy hippy days are not entirely over.
ReplyDeleteHa! I was never that happy a hippy! Not that my first husband actually asked my permission or anything.
DeleteI'm reading the grandchildren accounts with great interest, having zero experience with them. It sounds like an endlessly changing relationship. Great fun.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the illness dragging on. I wonder if she's just not getting enough rest to recover.
Having grandkids is absolutely a constantly changing relationship. You nailed it! Ever evolving as they get older and as I get older too.
DeleteI am certain that Jessie isn't getting enough rest to recover. You're right about that too.
My heart feels hugged. Just a regular day but those are the ones that are most precious. These are the kinds of days from years past that I remember with love. Owen borrowing you a book made me smile.
ReplyDeleteI know! My grandson loaning me a book! He knows his Mer.
DeleteI do not like people who cut down beautiful mature trees. Dude, just deal with it. It's not that bad. Just pick up the seed pods, that's what I do. Mulch the leaves with a mower. Jeez.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, Ellen. I FB messaged the guy who lived next door when we moved in here. I loved him. He worships the outdoors, has a tattoo of the giant oak from that yard on his arm. I told him what the guy said about the magnolia and he wrote back, "That's f'cked up."
DeleteAgree.
Lots of sweet memories! Hope you have a restful day.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen!
DeleteI'm catching up here. I'm so sorry to hear Jessie hasn't been well. I do hope she is recovering by now. And that photo of Maggie and Boppy in the go cart, priceless, as is walking through the store with your handsome first grandson, and him giving you a book he wanted only to share with you. You do it right, Mer Mer.
ReplyDeleteI love Maggie's groovy rainbow bell-bottoms! It's so great that your grandkids show such enthusiasm for reading. And Maggie suggesting conversation rather than television -- that's AMAZING!
ReplyDelete