Takin' A Spring Break From Texas...

I received an eMail from Chiara, my niece, earlier this year. She is a teacher and their spring break was coming in March. She wanted to take that time to come and see Mimi and Papa. I assured her that would be fine. Chiara mentioned to Neffie, her mom and my sister, that she was planning on coming. Neffie agreed to come and make the drive with her. No small feat since Neffie now lives in Beijing, China. They arrived on Monday, March 12th and left for their return trip on Friday, March 16th.

Chiara has three little boys. I made my grid for their visit and plotted a craft or activity for each day. It was fun to notice that Kenny, the oldest, quickly found that grid on the fridge and followed it to be sure we were accomplishing the project listed for that day.

We actually had 3 full days to play.

Tuesday Papa came out in the morning and we visited and played.  We filled this time with chalk drawing on the driveway, kite flying on the hill and hikes in the tall grass.

We also picked out music and practiced for the musical program for Wednesday at the nursing home.

While I was gone for my physical therapy that afternoon, I left sugar cookie making things so the boys could cut out cookies and decorate them. This was strategically planned so they would have cookies to munch on while they were here. When I got home from therapy there were lots of fun cookies to be enjoyed. Sugar cookies are one of Claude's favorites and the boys shared freely with him. One night Claude told Kenny he was going to eat all the remaining cookies after the boys went to bed. Kenny asked him to please leave three for the boys to have the next day but he was welcome to eat the rest. The boys went to bed way before the adults. Just before the adults finally headed to bed Claude said, "I didn't eat the cookies. I wonder if they will notice? Maybe I should eat some of them." He didn't. Sure enough the next morning Kenny came to the kitchen and found more than three cookies remaining. He immediately mentioned that Claude didn't get those cookies eaten. Cute.

Wednesday was the day to sing at the nursing home in the afternoon. We determined to fill the boys morning and wear them out, then have a quiet time to settle them down before heading in to the nursing home. We went to the caboose and Claude unlocked it and opened the doors at either end for them to play. They totally enjoyed the caboose. Claude went to the Depot (a.k.a. City Hall) and picked up three train caps for the boys and a recipe book for Neffie and Chiara.

We spent time at the playground after the caboose.

We had a nice visit at the nursing home in the afternoon. The boys even sang two songs. Papa sang some songs alone. Neffie, Chiara and I harmonized on some other songs. It was a good visit and the residents totally enjoyed the added people to entertain them.

Wednesday we also played a game with the boys. It was the ice cube race game. I used it several years ago with the kids during a Camp Christensen. I have four little dust pans and dust brooms. We had Kenny and Nathan draw lines to start on and to finish on. I put an ice cube on the ground for each of the boys at the start line and they left their dust pans at the finish line. They were to sweep their ice cube with the dust broom from the start line into the dust pan at the finish line. The first one to complete this won. After doing that a time or two I drew a line that curved around and they had to follow that line as they swept their ice cube. It was fun and ended with just playing with the ice cubes.

Thursday was the last full day. Chiara wanted to go to the Kentucky Horse Park but the forecast for rain nixed that idea. We filled the day with painting ceramic cars and then pictures on cardstock.

I also had some styrofoam airplanes and the boys had a great time sailing them off the deck when the sky cleared up. There was a gentle breeze and some of those planes would sail on the breeze for quite a while before landing. Since my deck has no stairs to the back yard, we opened the front door and the boys would fly their plane, then run out the front door, around the side of the house and down the back yard to retrieve their plane. Then they ran back up the hill, around the side of the house and back through the front door to the deck to fly it again. Great exercise and a great way to use lots of youthful energy.

Papa came out for the day again. At one point James was corrected for something. I honestly can't remember what Chiara corrected him for, it is just part of being a three year old to need parental direction. James was crying and came running out to the deck looking for a refuge from his current self-made storm. Papa, who is nearly deaf, was clearly not aware of the correction. He scooped up this little guy and hugged him until he calmed down. Then he proceeded to pay 'piggies' with James toes. That game never seems to get old with the little ones. It was a most precious moment. I ran for my camera and missed the hugging part. But I managed to get some of the piggy part.

Friday morning the car was loaded and after breakfast they hit the road for the two day to drive home. It was a great visit. Papa totally enjoyed having family here. Thank you Chiara and Neffie for making that long journey!!