Grandparents in Training - July 4th Weekend!

Lois Wyse, an American advertising executive, author, and columnist (born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1926), said this: If I had known how wonderful it would be to have grandchildren, I'd have had them first. She was so right about that!

Since sales are still touting July 4 here in the USA for the last week, I figured I could also write about our July 4 holiday, too.

When my sister Kimberly and I were trying to settle on a date for a visit to Crofton at least a month ago, we finally settled on the July 4th weekend despite traffic reports that the roads would be clogged all over the land. Since my sister and hubby, Jerry, were driving in from Cleveland, Ohio, timing is the ultimate traffic/turnpike issue. Thankfully, they left pretty early to arrive around noon (it's a six-hour drive).

We were also hosting my daughter and family, including their super sweet black lab, Disco. It was perfect timing for the visit, intersecting with Kimberly, Jerry, and Baby Bodie because Bodie was the ideal foil for the named weekend, Grandparents in Training. K&J are headed to be first-time grandparents next month, compliments from their son, Nate, and his wife, Taylor.

Bodie, at 15 months and on the verge of walking, was "thrilled" at all the attention. Hanging out and all of us adults playing with this little guy (no diaper changing required for K&J this weekend) was a special treat. Kimberly and Jerry are no novices in the diaper department, though. They had three boys and knew the drill. However, things have changed regarding babies since we had our kids in the 1990s. They were willing listeners to some new-fangled ideas.

Take, for example, no baby jars of food are needed when a pouch or regular food fits the bill. Bodie also likes to try to eat with a scaled-down fork and spoon or eats with his hands. You know, finger foods! Since Bodie is on the verge of walking, K&J held his hand and walked, not only around the house, but also at the baby pool at our local swim and tennis club for a couple of hours until Bodie got all tuckered out! Nap times were monitored via a Nanit, a small camera that allows you to see how the baby is doing in slumber or if they're up and wanting to be picked up and out of the crib. Every move the kid made was celebrated with clapping and big smiles all around. Since Bodie loves to try to kick a ball, there was a lot of "passing" and throwing back and forth. K&J also brought a couple of new toys and a book that Bodie took to right quick. That pleased them, and Bodie! A win-win!

Of course, we all worked around Bodie's loose nap/sleep schedule that weekend with our adult activities like golf, pickleball, eating out, and playing games. To keep the weekend flowing smoothly, either Bill or I would stay back with Bodie so everyone else could get out and do fun stuff. Frankly, it all worked quite seamlessly, and K&J got straight A's at the Tomoff/Hudson Grandparent Training Camp! I believe they are ready to tackle a newborn soon as well.

I'm tickled that the weekend was a success all around, and we made lasting memories with Bodie, his parents, and Kimberly & Jerry.

Kimberly and Bodie are working it in Grandma Training!

Photos above: 1) Queenstown Harbor Golf Course, 2) Ryan making a delicious breakfast, 3 and 4) Ryan made homemade pizza, 5) Dinner at The Boatyard in Annapolis (Eastport), Maryland, and 6) Ice cream in Ego Alley in DTA (downtown Annapolis).

bSoleille!

Terri