Why We Have Children When We're Young

My 4-year-old grandson spent the afternoon and night with me last night. At first he didn't want his Mommy and Daddy to leave without him, but when I asked him if he wanted to play "hide and seek" he kept telling his parents to leave. So, after about an hour of running up and down stairs, finding unique but not too hard to find places to hide (note below he found me in the bathtub behind the shower curtain), he decided he wanted to play with the cars and other toys I keep here for when he comes to visit. Thank goodness my younger daughter had come over to see him because she was able to keep him occupied for quite a while since I had to catch my breath. (I'm very very old and feeble now that I'm a Gramma, you know!)

After he'd run the course of half a ream of paper drawing shapes, houses, smiley faces, and trees, he wanted to go outside to play. But since the grass was too soggy and he didn't have his boots, nothing would do but to go for a walk (think "run") outside. We bundled up and watched as he ran ran ran ran ran around my little neighbourhood. He took a tumble once and daughter and I held our breath waiting for the cry, but he was a great little trooper and got himself up saying, "I'm okay!" And off he went running again. We played a bit of hide and seek in the tiny little park down the road and I let him take pictures of the bushes, houses, and even the red sky before we headed back inside.

However, before he would come inside the house, he just had to check out the driver's seat of Gramma's car. So in typical male fashion, he checked out all the mirrors and other accoutrements in the car before pretending to drive. Patience, Gramma!

His dinner consisted of crackers, Smarties, jujubes, and a bit of milk. He's not much of an eater, but when he's hungry he will eat. But I don't force him. We drove daughter home and went in so little N could see her place. After a thorough look around, we went home and played "catch" with one of my little stuffed dogs and a teddy bear. I must say he's very good at throwing and catching, considering he's only 4. At 8:30, we both put our jammies on, brushed our teeth and climbed into bed. I gave him my giant flashlight and his Leapster to play with while I watched Midsommer Murders (my all-time favourite thing to watch if I'm home on a Saturday night...Um, when am I "not" home these days?)

Hmph....

But I digress. He was still going strong at 9:50 so I told him he had 5 more minutes to play and then he had to put the toys away. Each minute I told him how much longer and when the time was up, do you think he said "Okay."???? Of course not! He's 4, remember? He told me he wanted to win! So, I said okay. (Well, I'm Gramma, right?) But I was very surprised that in about two more minutes, he announced, "I won!" He put everything down, cuddled right up to me and within 10 seconds he was asleep!

We got up early this morning and I took him to church, wondering what this new experience would be like for him. But he was amazing! He was so good, smiling and giving people little waves. He enjoyed standing up on the chair while we sang and was quiet when it was time to pray. (not that he understands ANY of this, mind you) After 45 minutes of unbelievably angelic behaviour, he suddenly announced (in a regular voice, mind you, so everyone could hear him), "I want to go home now!"

My friend quickly took him to the nursery area so he could play with the toys there. I go to a very small church and, unfortunately, today there were no other little children for him to play with. But he loved kicking a soccer ball around and played with the cars and other things. After the service was over, he had a great time sharing his two cars with another young boy (in grade 6) and they had a hilarious time making them crash into each other. (More typical male behaviour.)

Just as we were entering the restaurant where we'd decided to have lunch, little N's Mommy and Daddy arrived. He was thrilled to see them and we all had lunch together before he went home.

I don't remember ever being this tired when my own children were young but right now I'm so tired I can hardly see straight and just want to go to bed. I guess this is why we have children when we're young. We need that endurance and perseverance to be able to keep up with all that energy little ones possess.

Don't get me wrong, though. I love this little guy more than you could ever know and I would never trade any time I get to have with him. It's been a long time since anyone asked me if he could cuddle with me. I'll never forget that - ever. *sigh* Just look at this photo! Anyone who has ever had children knows that this is the picture that gets us in the heart every time.