Last week my FIL called with a request. I think he said “I have a huge favor to ask you so call me back when you have a few minutes.” I thought he was going to ask me to visit my grandmother-in-law, who is not a happy elder. But he had a much different request.
His BFF was having his grandkids visit from out of town and FIL wanted to have all the grandkids get together to play. (It seems funny to use text-speak when talking about my parent’s generation, but my mom is the one who taught me some of the abbreviations. Heh!) The two grand-pappas thought the kids would get along swimmingly. So, now that they would all be within a few minutes of each other, rather than a plane ride away, we should all get together. I think, no big deal, absolutely, it is summer. Then he says he wants everyone to come over here because we have so much for boys to do. Creek, zip-line, tree house, slides, room for baseball, pool next door.
To tell the truth I am ecstatic. I kinda want to be the house that every kid wants to go to. The one where you feel comfortable because the mom is kind and understands what it is like to be a kid. Where the mom always has food and kool-aid ready at a moment’s notice. Where a kid can be a kid (to use Disney’s phrase). So this is the request I have been waiting for since I gave birth.
He is cracking me up, trying to be apologetic and questioning and polite at the same time. He wants to have everyone stay outside with outside activities and do outside things. They may need a bathroom on occasion, but he only needs the outside. And did he mention that he wants the kids to play outside? Since he has a tendency to go on-and-on I cut him off and say it is no problem. That would be great.
So the day arrives and Pappa, his BFF, and his BFF’s brood arrive. It is Pappa Camp time!! There is a schedule to stick to and prizes to work for.
He has generated a list of 20 things for a scavenger hunt. I cannot believe how astute he is! There are things on this list I forgot about owning. Things like a boomerang, horseshoe, and a light house (well, maybe I didn’t forget about the numerous lighthouses in this house, but go with me here). Things they must find by the creek, like crayfish, red and black rocks, and creek sand. Of course, the boomerang is MIA, so I must search the house for it. Other than that, I just watch and enjoy.
Pappa has brought a lunch. “You don’t have to lift a finger!” He says. Then it starts to rain. He is devastated that they have to “impose” to eat inside. I finally say “Enough already! I like that you are doing this so knock off the apologies.” And I love that lunch was fried chicken (Made by my MIL), rolls and butter, and pickles. Such a guy lunch. I offer watermelon just so it won't go bad. At least that is my excuse.
They eat, finish the scavenger hunt, get wet and muddy in the creek, play baseball, and swim in the neighbor’s pool, all to the set schedule of Pappa. They even win awards for finding ALL the 20 things on the scavenger hunt list. Well, almost all of them. They could not find a grasshopper. Surprisingly enough, we don’t have a lot of those around here. I told him that I rarely see them. Soooo.. they called the committee to find out if one can substitute the toad and caterpillar they found while searching for the grasshopper. The committee agreed and cheers rang out.
It was fabulous to see my FIL so involved with the boys. He wants to be a part of their lives and knows them pretty well. I did not comprehend that he was taking in all our stories about them that we related over the phone. He does remember some of the silly things my kids have done over the years. I am so tickled that my boys have so many people that want to be a positive part of their lives.
We are truly blessed!
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