Author Archive
Kick the can
Playing “Kick the Can” with the recycling (a game introduced by The Rookie) out in the driveway can also be played by the briefly unsupervised grandchild in the kitchen with much more dramatic impact. :-)
Speaking the language
Grandchildren today learn to say Hola and Ni-hau even before they learn Hi or Hello. This advanced rate of learning doesn’t seem to affect figuring out what to call the grandparents. But The Rookie figured out which back-handed wave means he is needed. :-)
Hitting the high note
The Rookie usually receives kind words after a Sunday morning of singing in the choir, but a “Good Job!” from grandchild harmonizes the rest of the day. :-)
Watermelon, watermelon
Another Rookie mistake: Placing a watermelon in the same shopping cart with grandchild puts the structural integrity of the watermelon at risk. :-)
Know the sweet spot
The Rookie thought 15 years of softball pitching experience would lead to a teaching moment for grandchild at ladder golf. Guess who got schooled?
Apparently age three and a half is the sweet spot of height, arm strength, and coordination as he hung three out of five polos on the top rung from eight feet throwing overhand, plus another trick shot that whizzed over his brother’s head by inches before also encircling the top rung.
At least he’s not old enough to gloat yet, but Mom and Granny were there to fill that gap. :-)
Sampling
Another Rookie mistake: Avoid the red velvet ice cream samples at Walmart unless there is a crime scene reenactment contest somewhere else in the store :-)
Gotta know the menu
Another Rookie mistake: Only take grandchildren to over-the-counter restaurants where you know the menu. When the room suddenly gets quiet while you are focused on your order, grandchild is exercising his table dancing skills. :-)
No parking while printing
Grandsons can never have enough wheeled vehicles or places to park them. Remember to shake all the Hot Wheels out of your printer before each use. :-)
Running errands in the rain
Another Rookie mistake: Running errands with grandchild in the rain. Playing keep‐away from shoes and car seat is still great fun for grandchild but not for the one whose backside is hanging out in the pouring down rain. :-)
Believe it!
The Rookie didn’t really believe that grandparents needed one of every possible child accessory, much less duplicates for multiple grandchildren. Future rookies, please believe it! :-)