Grandma Heaven

Friday night was a big event at our house. I had both granddaughters over for the night.

I went right from work to pick them up. I wanted to make it exciting enough that Elise didn't have time for second thoughts as this was her first time to spend the night here.

So, we started off with a trip to Taco Bell. 

I found it a challenge to get a good photo of them there.  Oh well. They were very entertaining dinner companions.

Cordelia had a special request. She wanted us to visit a particular park because she and I had stopped there one time when she spent the night with me.  Kids do that. They like to recreate special adventures. So, off we went! 

When we got there we discovered a large part of the play area was now a pond. Of course, I told the girls to stay out of the water. Of course, both went right for it! 

Still, there was lots of playing.

Which means lots of Grandma photo opportunities! 

After a walk/run, we went home to see Grandpa, read books and just be silly for awhile. 

We got all jammied up and the girls got into their little sleeping bags. They were pretty  excited... For about two minutes. Then Elise announced she wanted to sleep on the bed with me. That wasn't a big surprise, but then Cordy wanted on the bed as well. She was conflicted, actually. She wanted to sleep in her sleeping bag, but she didn't want Elise to get all the Grandma snuggles. 

We all got on the floor for a bit, the girls in their bags and me in between. I guess I was hoping they would fall asleep quickly, silly me, but my back started complaining first. 

So, we all got up on the bed, which was too small for three.  Grandpa came in to sing a good-night song! 

Cordy agreed to snuggle until Elise fell asleep, which didn't take long, then she crawled down to her sleeping bag. This all worked well.

It was 5:15 when Elise's little hand grabbed my face, turned  it toward herself, and said, "I wuv you, Gwandma."  Is that not awesome way to start a day?....a very early day? 

Cordelia slept on for another hour...

But Elise was ready to party! 

Once Cordelia got up, we made and enjoyed some pancakes.  Cordy learned she loves strawberry syrup, just like Grandpa.

At some point, Mike asked me if I was in Grandma Heaven.  Yes! Grandma Heaven... So much fun! 

Cordy Time

Last night was fun, having Cordy for a sleep-over. She woke up this morning and explained to me that when she and her Mommy have their eyes wake up before their bodies are ready to wake up, they just snuggle. So, I got to enjoy that snuggling time. It was great!

Here are more photos of this charming and VERY active little granddaughters of our's.

At her request, we had baby corn with our picnic.

 In the background you see the port-a-potty that she'd just experienced for the first time.

Don't worry, Mommy, they had hand sanitizer for us.

 She makes friends very, very quickly.

 She was full of joy!

 She LOVED this outdoor exercise equipment.

 She ran and she ran and she ran and she ran!

 She just kept moving!

 She also kept smiling.

 She loved exploring down by the river.

 She looks kind of contemplative here, doesn't she?

 I love this little person.

The Big Sleep-Into

As I said yesterday, I planned to hurry home Saturday in time to have Cordelia over for her first sleep-over. I was so excited!

When I arrived at Cordelia's house, she was in the front room with her little suitcase but tears on her face. She said she was going to miss her Mommy and Daddy. Thinking she was maybe just not ready, I asked if she'd want to just go to Walmart with me instead. She was good with that. Maria suggested she take her suitcase just in case she changed her mind.

At Walmart, Cordelia announced that although she would miss her Mommy and Daddy, she thought she would be fine to stay the night with me. Yay! As we were checking out she told me she had a headache but said since I was a nurse I could help her.

We went home and played a game, snacked on raspberries and almond milk and then it was time to watch a movie in bed, using my computer. Cordelia chose Daniel Tiger.

I braided her hair while she watched.  Then, we each ate an oreo cookie in bed, even though we'd already brushed our teeth, because it was a special night. We snuggled. She no longer spoke of a headache. She gave me a thousand hugs and repeatedly proclaimed her love for me. It was wonderful!

Cordy dozed off snuggled up with me during the movie. In fact, she'd been asleep about an hour and a half when she sat up, looked at the computer I was using, and said, "Now we need to get some sleep!" I'm not sure she was awake when she said that but about 30 minutes later she sat up and said, "Next, we hug and kiss and say nighty night and get some sleep." You guessed it, she was once again asleep.

Then, a dilemma. I could feel that Cordelia was getting too hot. I rationalized that maybe she had too much covering on her so I kept pulling the quilt off of her. It seemed to help but eventually I had to admit, Cordy had a fever. In fact, her temp rose to 101. She kept thrashing and waking up, sometimes crying. So, do I call her parents late at night? I didn't have children's Tylenol or Ibuprofen. I could send Sam or Mike to get it but I knew that Maria and Eric would want her home. I made the call then drove a sick little girl to her house shortly after midnight. Not to worry, her mom reported her fever broke about 4:00 a.m. and she was fine the next day....and wants to try it again!

So, although Cordelia didn't sleep OVER night at our house, she did indeed sleep INTO the night and it was sweet while it lasted!