Our six-year old granddaughter spent four days with us this week. We walked the dog, went to the library twice, went to several different parks, the beach, visited her cousins, played in the backyard, played several different games and did a Lego set. We had a great time but I am exhausted. She comes back for 5 days next month.
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My four year old GD exhausts us. We watch her at least one day a week, and she is like the Energizer Bunny. She knows who can/will do what, because she is quieter with her other grandparents, who are less physical than H & I. With us, it’s just nonstop play all day. We only have one more year until she’s in kindergarten and we won’t be babysitting on Tuesdays, so we suck it up & run around with her. It’s fun, despite the fact that it’s so tiring.
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Try a set of 4 year old twins, who, I might add will always head in opposite directions. Now add in a 2.5 year old very active toddler. (And grandma’s two bad knees… )
That why I seldom babysit for D1 and SIL1. It’s just too much.
(… unless it’s an emergency, or the kids have all been tucked into bed for the night or it’s pizza & movie, no bath and no school/camp tomorrow night AND mom & dad are home in time to put the kids to bed.)
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I had age 6, 8, and 10 grandkids here today. It’s 105, so they are inside my small house. They are loud and having fun in the back bedroom. I swear I shut my eyes 10 minutes. Woke up to them coming out with wet heads from playing barber and carrying crumpled potato chip bags.
Got them home and sat down at my computer. Dang..doesn’t work! Mouse or keyboard. The little buggers turned off the mouse and taped over the optic eye. Also figured out they turned off the keyboard after I changed all the batteries. They are a hoot and exhausting 
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Watching our little Miss Mess today and overnight while her parents attend a friend’s wedding. So far, potty 4, wet pants 0. 
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Just coming to brag- got GS to nap in crib with just a few back pats.
There is waterplay on our porch, a trip to the grocery store and then dinner at our Mexican place on tap for the rest of the day.
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Just got an email from Nordstrom and sharing with the tribe. If anyone here purchased a Bugaboo high chair recently, there is a recall. Bugaboo is offering a repair kit to fix the foot support that can become loose and cause injuries.
“Bugaboo is offering a free repair kit to affected products in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The recall affects the Bugaboo Giraffe High Chair with the following item codes and in the following colors: (list of models)”
https://service.bugaboo.com/s/bugaboo-giraffe-repair-kit-checker?language=en_US&Country=US
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Just got a ‘fix’ of the grandkids while we were all out-of-state visiting cousins. GD2 who just turned 2 needs some potty training. She doesn’t like the wet diaper and strips naked when she can. I sat her on the potty, but she didn’t know what to do. Daycare will have her in a group soon that does potty breaks and using pull-ups. We talked about ‘pee pee and poop on the potty’ - and she will get the concept sometime soon, especially if she stays dry at night.
The almost 3-month GD3 looks just like her mom did at that age. I told DD1 that she turned back the clock 31 years.
All the older Gkids were quite excited to see me, and the 2 YO was especially liking me. She caught the excitement. When I said my goodbyes, lots of grand hugs and kisses. I told DH this is what life is all about - getting all the love and having none of the responsibilities (except for solo sitting for them with parents out or away).
The family time with the extended family and with them made all the travel worthwhile. Three days with them, two days with travel which was 7 hours driving and 10 hours with flying, plus the incidental time with TSA and at the rental counter.
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My husband is picking up my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter from the airport. I can’t wait to hug them. I’m getting the pasta ready.
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Doing our usual Friday hang out with GS. SiL has to work this evening so I am going to stay later and help with bedtime
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The first time my kids went to visit (on a plane) solo to their paternal grandparents, the flight was delayed several hours and the kids were hungry. My MIL met the plane with a pot of brisket (!) in the car.
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It’s my birthday, and D and family are visiting us at the beach. It may be cold and rainy, but after 100 degree days, I’ll take it. Breakfast at our favorite beachfront restaurant, GD and GS decorating a cake for me, and cuddles for days. Doesn’t get better than that!
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D and SIL are attending some friends wedding festivities this weekend so I babysat GD last evening. We watched the filmed version of “Frozen” ( she has seen it live) and she loves to sing along. I was surprised that she knows all of the words to “ Let it Go”, but maybe I shouldn’t have been as she loves music and singing.
Only snag was at bedtime. She did not want to sleep right away and I think she is growing out of her 7 PM bedtime.
I have her again tonight, but this will be “ sleepover at Mimi’s”.
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Happy birthday!! We are almost twins
I had a great visit with he kids and 4 grandkids, but bedtime for the 3 yo who otherwise is a super easy kid, is a real challenge!
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Bedtime is a struggle here, too. The youngest can stay up until 9 pm easily! She just turned 2! Definitely a nigh owl. Her cousins can’t sleep unless a parent is with them (that’s on parents IMO).
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My (adult) son affectionately calls me a magpie because I like looking at sparkly things when we are at a mall.
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I just came back from 10 days vacation with D1’s family. I am exhausted, but I miss them already.
The 2 grandkids were a lot of work. I did a lot of feedings for GD2 and woke up early with GD1. They are staying another week in Portugal. I am wondering how they are managing.
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@oldfort - My guess is that they are really appreciating you right now!
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“Sleepover” was rebranded ( D’s term) as “ slumber party at Mimi’s”. I kept emphasizing to GD that she was staying up “ late” ( 8PM as opposed to 7PM). We had a “ special slumber party snack” etc.
Things went well but not uneventful. At 12:30 AM my phone started buzzing with an alert - there was a tornado warning! So I scooped up GD ( we stayed in the guest room together) , the grand dog trailed after us and we went to the basement for awhile. She stayed asleep in my arms.
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We had to leave town unexpectedly (MIL broke her hip), and the pet sitter couldn’t come until today. D & GD came over to feed our cat yesterday. D sent a picture of a very proud GD next to the food. She really enjoys helping out. If only that desire could continue into her teens! 
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