That's the chinaberry tree in bloom and I had not even noticed it until today when Maggie and I were out kicking bamboo. She was wearing her garden boots and by the time we were finished she had the technique down.
"Thank you for taking me on that adventure," she said.
Now I have to tell you that in all honesty I was a bit worried about how Maggie's overnight would go. I have seen the girl pitch fits that compare to the ones her mother used to pitch when she was a little girl.
Which is to say- not pleasant to deal with and that is putting it incredibly mildly.
However, it turned out that Magnolia June was absolutely a little ol' buttercream for her Mer and Bop. She was interested in everything, talkative as a little magpie (haha!) and sweet as she could be. She's so funny, too.
She wanted me to go out to the swing porch and sit in the swing with her and talk. She loves to have conversations. And so we did. I took my martini with me and it was absolutely one of the most pleasant half hours I've had in a very long time. We discussed a lot of things including who my four children are, whether or not my mother and father are still alive, what their names were, the dart board hung on the wall of the porch, her cousins, and much more. When you hit on a subject that she needs more information about she says, "Wait! Wait!" and then proceeds to either quiz me or offer her perspective on the subject.
She wanted to draw me a picture to put up in the kitchen and so I found her markers and paper and this is what she made.
She cuddled with her Boppy and they watched Shaun the Sheep and The Mighty Baby Beehm while I made our supper. She ate almost all of her hamburger which she enjoys with lettuce, tomato, pickle, ketchup, and mustard. "Like a sandwich," she instructed. Although she loves broccoli, she did not like my steamed broccoli because she is used to frozen at her other grandmother's and mine was fresh and thus "stinky." Oh well. When we made our martinis, we made her special drinks in a tiny cup with crushed ice and grape juice and cranberry/pineapple juice. She was utterly charmed.
Yes. We are setting a very bad example, so what, don't you judge me. She also got her Purple Cow with raspberry sherbet and grape juice as dessert which she insisted on calling a sundae and almost shrieked with delight when her Boppy put a few M&M's in it.
She enjoyed an extended bath in Mer's big tub with all of the ducks and octopi AND her doll which, according to her, is waterproof because it is plastic. I did not challenge her on this and simply gave the doll her own towel when it was time to get out of the bath.
We had set up her bed, the same fold-out that August sleeps on when he is here, beside our bed and she inspected it and found it lacking in one regard- there was only one sheet to lay on. She needed two.
And yes, the Princess and the Pea did come to mind.
Whatever, another sheet was taken from the drawer and tucked in over the first one.
We laid on my bed and read four books and it was after ten by then but she was not ready to settle down. She had to attend to her dolls, she had to have the fan off, the doors and lights just so. She had to be assured that Scratchy Cat would not come and get her in her sleep. At one point she had to get up in order to "play with her babies" because they would just NOT go to sleep.
"But you are their mother," I told her. "You can tell them that they have to go to sleep now."
She thought about this for a hot second and then said, "Yes. I am the boss."
It wasn't too long after that that she fell asleep on her little bed and dang if she didn't sleep there until seven this morning when she woke up and got in bed with us. Mr. Moon immediately slipped away to his chair and we all went right back to sleep. I got up before the two of them did at 8:30 so we did very, very well.
She told me last night when she found my shelves of homemade jam that she wanted toast with jam for breakfast. Also, eggs. So that was what we had. She wanted "real eggs" which, it turns out, are the kind with the yellow part in the middle and the white part outside.
Fried? I guess so. That's what I made. And she was very happy with them.
As if.
I drove her home and she was glad to see her mommy and her brothers and then her daddy came to pick up all the kids because it was a daddy night. It was good to see Jason. I hugged all of the kids and their mama too and then I drove home where I've done very little but enjoyed it all a lot.
So it was a very good sleepover and we shall do it again soon although first Gibson and Owen have to have their nights. Maggie has told me that she wants to come with them. We will have to work this out.
I so loved having my grands stay overnight! They’d come two or three at a time, but I must admit I preferred the one on one times (I bet they’d agree). They’re all grown now, and we’re working on our overnights with our great grandson. His mama is a bit protective and the thought of an overnight with PawPaw and GiGi is a little hard for her.
ReplyDeleteWell, some mamas are like that. I was with the first. Be patient. She'll come 'round, I bet.
DeleteThis post charmed me in its entirety. From Maggie's "Yes. I am the boss" to the trick her brothers taught her at the end, I'm just in love with your sassy, spunky granddaughter!
ReplyDeleteShe is spunky, all right! She's like no other.
Deletewhat a delightful post from beginning to end! I like the idea (for your sanity-if nothing else) of one grand at a time....each gets their own special time for a night....... I'm glad to hear it went so well.......I think that deserves another Martini!
ReplyDeleteSusan M
I was a bit surprised that she was so comfortable without her brothers. At one point she did say, "I miss my mama," but then she moved right on to something else. I don't think she missed her too much.
DeleteWhat a wonderful visit! Memories...
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son couldn’t say the word truck. Yes, it came out as fuck! These days, he uses fuck quite a bit more than truck!
Debbie
Haha! That made me laugh, Debbie!
DeleteGreat. I am glad it was a good visit with no tantrums and that is largely down to the intelligent but loving tactics applied by her worldly wise grandmother. It must have been lovely for Maggie to spend quality time at Lloyd without her brothers or parents.
ReplyDeleteI'm not claiming any glory here. Maggie was just a fine little lady. I keep thinking about her saying "thank-you" for the adventure of walking around and looking at stuff and kicking bamboo. That was so delightful! And yes, I think she liked getting all the attention and love.
DeleteThank you! so much fun! Exhausting...The carrot is a riot! Erik could not pronounce stick, he said Dick, and I think that the carrot has that. You are such amazing grandparents. Delightful!!
ReplyDeleteAlso great trick! Just hope that she does no t perform that trick for the teacher and all of the kindergarteners.
DeleteI think you are right about the carrot!
DeleteI have a strong feeling that both Lily AND Jason have warned Maggie in the sternest tones not to be using that trick at school.
Dear, dear Maggie. It has been too, too long since she spend a night with Mer and Bop. Real eggs and a sundae with M&M's, be still, o heart.
ReplyDeleteI see why you spend Saturday in contemplating and ruminating and...stuff.
"Real eggs" cracked me up. She loved her real eggs. I think she had a very good time.
DeleteWhy don't I get anatomically correct carrots in my Misfits box?
ReplyDeleteShe's quite a guest, so interesting.
I think if I were you I would demand some anatomically correct carrots! They are so much more interesting than the dull, incorrect ones.
DeleteThat first solo overnight is so special. Maggie seems rightly delighted with having all the attention. So glad she was able to sleep through the night. My grandson Sid (now 11!) would wake up in the night missing his momma, but I could usually get him back to sleep till about 7:30 am. Still working on getting the first solo overnight with the second grandson, Soren, who is already 6. Sending love to you all. xx0x0 N2
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that having to get up in the night with a child is NOT MY IDEA OF A GOOD TIME! I am so happy that all the grands now seem to be able to sleep through the night.
DeleteWish a great report. The picture at the end is the icing on the cake!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it?
DeleteThat sounds like a wonderful sleepover for Maggie and for her Mer.
ReplyDeleteMaggie will be a great driver, she already has the hand signals down pat:)
Absolutely!
DeleteHa! That last picture is hilarious. Owen's and Jason's expressions really make the shot!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the visit went great, and I'm glad. Thanks for the shots inside the old barn! Glad to see what it looks like!
I'm still laughing at "real eggs." Oh, and that IS a truly remarkable carrot.
I do love Jason's expression. And Owen looks like a little devil. He KNOWS better. Oh well. Big brothers are important in a little sister's education, I guess.
DeleteI should take more pictures of the barn.
What a great sleepover visit! Leaving good memories for all involved. How perfect is that!
ReplyDeleteI think so, too, Ellen. It went a lot better than I thought it might and I am rather delighted.
Delete