Grandchildren are an absolute stunning blessing that exceeds all expectations. Of course, we look at our children as the ultimate blessing but then grandchildren come along, and they just kick it up a notch! Recently, I had the most wonderful opportunity to host my little grandsons third birthday party. What a day!!
My grandsons live close by and so I am blessed that they visit often, usually on weekends. I live in the country so they ride bikes, play with the sprinkler when it’s warm, find frogs, play in the sand/gravel pit with their toy trucks, rock on the rockers, swing on the swings, cultivate the garden and pick vegetables. They are basically outside from sun up to sundown. Sometimes we are outside before sun up: it is very impressive to watch the sun rise. During the summer months, they basically stay in their swimsuits all day. They are constantly getting wet so why change clothes? The TV is only turned on at night when we can’t be outside any longer due to mosquitoes and it's time for bed.
So how do you kick that up a notch for a birthday party? You add every relative, especially cousins, cake and all the favorite foods of a three-year-old. Have mom and dad bring a small bouncy house and you have the makings of a spectacular party!!! And, you spend the night at granny's so you can start the day at 5:30 am.....
I watched a four-year-old have his best day ever!! At 6:00 am his great-grandmother brought a birthday card that sang "Shake your Booty" which he opened and closed continuously while running and dancing around the house!! He even tried to bring it to church.....it made it to the car! We sang the song all morning. At Church his mom and dad joined us and afterward we cooked his favorite breakfast. Then it was much needed naptime. The rest of the day was magical. I sat back and watched in-laws and ex in-laws, talking, laughing and celebrating this sweet little boy. I saw cousins, all under the age of six, in swimsuits, throwing water balloons at each other and shrieking with delight. I watched them jumping and giggling in the bouncy house while their great uncles and great grandma laughed with glee. His new baby brother was passed around to welcoming arms. Stories and recipes were being shared, as well as local gossip and a sense prevailed that no one wanted the afternoon to end.
There was no fancy food. No expensive rides. No hard liquor. The nice clothes had long been discarded for swimsuits. Not even a kitchen water leak which had everyone scrambling could dampen the day!!. Everyone just jumped in to help mopped the floor and fix the pipe.
As the party was winding down my oldest grandson, who has a birthday coming up as well, announce that he was going to have his birthday party at the gym with his friends. Then he looked over me and said, but I want one here too!!! No problem!!
