Grape Grandma

Yesterday was a long day. We awaited the arrival of Auntie Colleen (Ian's sister) from Stockton at the bright and early hour of 9am. Then we drove two hours north to Paradise to visit Ian's Grandma Irene (his dad's mom). We haven't seen her in over a year and that means E hasn't seen her in over a year. In fact this was going to be only the fourth time I had seen her and E's second time meeting her.

Here's a picture of E with her Great Grandma last year.




When we first got there, E wasn't sure where we were (it probably doesn't help when you wake up from a nap in a strange place for the first time) or who these new people were - her Great Grandma Irene and Willis. We tried to teach her that this was not "Grandma", but "Great Grandma". But I think the word "great" eluded her and so E affectionately calls her Grape Grandma.

At first, E was very shy, but after 30 minutes had passed she was exploring every room, closing all the doors, climbing into all the rocking chairs and figuring out that "Hey, these people are ok." Then E got a nice surprise, an early birthday present! Two books - one about Noah's ark with punch out animals and one about crickets who learn to praise God that have little plastic clicking crickets - and a really soft bear who says four different prayers when you squeeze its limbs. The books were a huge hit and the bear has been her favorite after she got over the initial shock that it spoke. Now she say "E-man" each time the bear prays.

Here's E opening her presents. She made sure each piece of the wrapping paper and ribbon were given back to Great Grandma before preceding with the next piece. I might have created a "monster" when it comes to cleanliness and neatness!!




Then we had lunch and just hung out for a few hours. E was very comfortable by then (and very hyper from the food) and started running around in circles (literally). She would throw herself on the floor and roll about, laughing and giggling at herself. Then she found some soft hand strengthening balls that she proceeded to throw and ended up playing "catch" with her Great Grandma. (Although we were trying to get her to roll the ball on the floor, so as not to break the fragile items in Great Grandma's house. Also sometimes E has impeccable aim which usually gets you right in the face. That's probably not the best thing for someone in their 80s.)

Here's E excitedly playing ball with Great Grandma.




E watching the Ryder Cup with Willis. She told us she was watching "ball on TV". She even cheered for the US team. Pretty good huh?




The Great Grandma had a great idea... some calming puppets and felt books. E loved the kitten puppets, while Ian and his sister had flashbacks of their childhood. (I guess these puppets are decades old!) And when the felt books came out, the transformation was amazing. All of a sudden E was calm and fully engaged in taking the little felt pieces out of the pocket, placing them on the page to complete the story and then putting them away. She was concentrating so hard that you could hear her steady breathing (like she was asleep) and see the little wheels in her brain moving as her Great Grandma explained what the page was about and where the pieces went. All the while I was thinking "We need one of those felt books!" But alas, you probably can't find them anywhere as these were 30 years old and used when Great Grandma Irene ran a preschool in Stockton.

The calming effects of a good interactive book.




Then the time had come to say goodbye. We packed up all E's fun presents and various paraphernalia and she gave her Great Grandma hugs and kisses, telling her "I love you". I think E was very sad to go (and to leave the felt books behind too). Hopefully it won't in be too long that E gets to see her Grape Grandma again!