Gommie and Pop's visits always begin with an excited rush of activities and today was no exception. The only difference is that they arrived when I was home alone, with the kids at school, which gave us some time for leisurely greetings.
Well, 30 minutes anyway, because we fetched lunch and ate it in the car on the way to a special sports afternoon at school. When we appeared unexpectedly in the doorway, Sis was clearly excited and soon nudged Bud nearby to notice who was here. The class was fixing to go outside so we weren't interrupting much. Gommie had a chance to see their desks while Pop talked educational politics with the student teacher.
The entire first grade went outside together for relays and games. And they were game illiterate. They didn't know the basics of relays--when it was your turn, how to tag, when to stop--because sometimes the person wouldn't take off at all or the person would take off before the other got there, nobody tagged anybody, and the team kept going again even after everyone ran. But we still cheered them on, laughing the whole time. The coordinator announced "Red Rover" and I couldn't believe they were going to play that game, with kids slamming into each other to break a line, or even playing with 100 kids who don't all know each other. But it was a different game, no "Red Rover, Red Rover, let Jamie come over," something like the game "toothpaste," but here the "it" person called out a category and tried to tag those whom it described before they got across the field; those tagged were all "it" now, too. And it kept going. Especially because many of the kids didn't join the "it" group when they were tagged, the "it" kids would only tag one person and then stop or not realize who was not "it" and therefore not tag anyone (or even focus on one person to chase ignoring dozens within reach!); and then there were the kids who wouldn't run regardless of the category, like "first grade," until directly instructed. It was chaos. But everyone was delighted. Even the simple "Red Light, Green Light" caused confusion--whole lines advanced at once instead of one at a time, along with the usual not listening and just going; the coordinator gave up on "yellow" really quickly. I can see that we might need to have outdoor game day in Girl Scouts just to bring these kids up to speed!
We left school after the games, about 45 minutes early (excluding their usual bus time), and the usual "let's do this" chorus began. Bud had the basketballs out before I even put my purse down. He and Pop played for quite awhile--layups, hook shots, off the backboard, "round the world." Bud loved having a committed playmate. Sis and Gommie emptied the car--Sis wanted to see the old toys of mine they'd brought, especially the Luke and Leia "Barbie" dolls. I'm not sure she was very impressed, but I remember wonderful summer hours playing with those dolls with my friend Tania, even getting Luke caught in a tree and calling him "Luke Treewalker" ever afterwards. Sis was soon riding her bike up and down the street, switching over to scooters in the cul de sac with Bud, who took a break from basketball.
They came in for Peach Smoothies, their new favorite treat, which they happily shared with Gommie and Pop. Then sticker books were brought out while they debated going to "Goose Poop" Park. My folks were troopers, giving in to the grandkids' request, and headed over there for an hour or so. And when they got back, we hung out for a bit before they went for burgers (I had to go to PT).
By the time I got back, the kids were in bed and the grandparents had opened the wine. We sat around chatting about their stops at the Hermitage, Biltmore, and Monticello and possible stops at various Civil War battlefields on the way home. Or Acadia National Park. Or both! Mama Hungry loves to discuss the Civil War and has been to many of the battlefields; between her and Pop I imagine they've seen most of the major ones. They were particularly talking about Lee and Traveler today, also the possession of the Cumberland Gap. And we always mention our relative who supposedly fired the first shot at Vicksburg (my dad's mother's grandfather, so my great-great, a Methodist minister, I believe; her dad, Bampa, wrote an essay entitled "The Littlest Rebel." he was married to Bam-ma, who was from Franklin, TN. Got it?). I liked chatting, something we don't often get to do on these visits, especially the recent injury-laden ones. They also weren't as tired by the travel or time change as they are when they do a marathon early, long flight/cab/train day.
They were off, Gettysburg books in hand, around 9:15 p.m., needing their sleep because we'll be busy again tomorrow and for several days to come. Especially because they've invited the kids for a sleepover at the hotel!
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Peach Smoothie
1 bag frozen peaches, slightly defrosted in microwave (esp. if you don't have high-powered equipment)
1/4-1/2 cup milk, or more (cow, soy, even coconut works; I imagine yogurt would work, too, for really thick ones)--Miss D makes hers with orange juice and no milk
1/4 cup honey (or more to taste)
Mix in your blender or food processor until desired consistency. Sometimes we like it chunky like ice cream or liquid like a smoothie; just adjust milk amounts. It will refreeze but isn't as tasty later. Enjoy!
Mommy Hungry
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