Life with a Ten-Year-Old

 Our granddaughter came to visit for two nights and one full day.  It was a joy to have her here.  We had hoped to have a dinner at On the Border with both of our granddaughters--but the older one sadly developed Covid.  This was a great disappointment for Grandpa and Grandma and the younger one.  But it did mean that R was able to eat pasta for lunch and for supper--one of her favorite foods.

We had wondered how we would entertain R.  We had a large container of wine corks for crafts.  I had researched some ideas on Pinterest.  We inquired about getting her a pass to swim in our apartment pool. And we knew R would have ideas of her own.

It rained much of the day so swimming was not an option.  R made three cork families as a gift for her little brother. So who needs Pinterest?  She wanted to make a bunny cake for him too.  Amazingly as soon as he saw us on Sunday, he said "bunny cake" as he remembered a highlight of our Easter visit.  So we put together the two circle pans in preparation for finishing them up with his supervision today when we brought her home.

Two grandchildren and
a friend

A highlight of our time together was our Dollar Tree visit.  We gave R $5 to spend as she wished and that took some serious shopping time and decisions.  Her first choice was a Get Well card for her nanny who had just broken her foot. I thought that was so dear of her.  She had been very concerned about her nanny.  She bought some candy and a pretty creepy looking doll head with hair that could be styled.  As the Dollar Tree's prices are now all $1.25 that almost was enough.  Plus her grandpa and grandma thought maybe a time limit on shopping was advised!  We gave her a bit of change for the tax and that created a topic for conversation on the way home.  What are taxes?  What are they for?  

Another query R had was about our financial status.  If we were no longer working and getting paychecks, how were we paying for things?  So we tried to explain social security, pensions, and savings and assured her we were doing just fine.  We were not broke and had all we wanted and more.

We watch CBS Evening News almost every night but decided we were not wanting to watch it with a ten year old.  We did not want to see the violence of shootings or the war in Ukraine or try to explain "reproductive freedom" to a child.  

It caused great amusement when I called her by her older cousin's name at least four times.  It was just stuck in my head.  Jim said he did it once too.  It was a great visit and we are so grateful for a loving precious granddaughter.