ARGHH! We Be Pirates

The pirates visited their Gamma and Grandpa a few weeks ago. Or at least, they became pirates once they got here. I'd been anticipating their visit for weeks. Making plans to keep them busy--more plans, as it turned out, then we had time for. And the weather didn't cooperate for trips to the pool or the lake. But that was okay. Because the pirate costumes I surprised them with were a big hit.

We even prevailed upon Grandpa to don a pirate hat the first day. But it was Gamma with the hat and eyepatch, dagger in hand as we sailed the seven seas from our trusty ship (the front porch). There were endless sea battles with The Beast and Captain Hook. A special call to summon all the friendly pirates to come to our aid. And there was treasure. A chest full of it (minus the lid the first couple days because Gamma is useless at putting things together.) A trip to Auntie Ali's bedroom found it chock full of gold and jewels. (Or beads--how'd she score all the beads? A mother doesn't want to know.) There was treasure to hide from the dastardly Hook and treasure to hunt for when, inexplicably, it had disappeared upon our return. Treasure maps were plentiful but some were easier to follow than others. (Not everyone is a mapmaker.) And always, always there was Gamma providing a running script about what we were doing and why and what we were looking for and what would happen when we found it.

Admittedly, Gamma needed to scale back on some of the more lurid tales once they were linked to extra lights requested at bedtime. But we had a smashing time playing pirates for three days. And when you can keep an almost three and four year old entertained playing the same games for that long, you've accomplished something!

There were also board games (someone needs a bit more practice at sportsmanship!), wagon rides, trips to the playground, feeding the ducks and geese at the park, making crafts in Gamma's school classroom and playing in the bounce house in the backyard.

I had such fond memories of my own visits to my own grandparents that I wanted to make similarly great memories for my own grandchildren. When my first grandson was born, I told my daughter-in-law that I expected him to stay at Gamma's for a week every summer. She got this panicked look on her face and said, "Like when he's nine, right?"

She first sent both boys when they were 1 and 2, LOL. It's amazing how quickly they learn how rare it is to score some time alone :)

There were some flashback memories during the visit, too, of course. Like when I was forced to take them grocery shopping on a two cart trip. A deja vu hour and a half in which I recalled just how my hatred of grocery shopping was born. There was the episode of emptying two bag of chips on the dog's back and smashing the rest of them into the carpet. Of breaking a container of laundry soap on the driveway then running their crocs through them so they'd need washing.

Precious memories, all.

Because something odd has happened since the days I regularly cleaned up those types of messes and juggled making dinner, cleaning and a house full of young children. Things have slowed down. *I've* slowed down. What I remember about when my kids were young is how time flew by. I thought I'd always remember what our daily lives were like then, but now I can only recall moments.

Visits to Gamma's are nothing BUT moments. Each to be cherished and recalled long into adulthood.

The pirates' parents arrived after five days and stayed through the fourth of July weekend. Captain Rylan and First Mate Kasen were ready to go home. And Gamma is already busily dreaming up new ways to entertain them next summer. If I start talking now, maybe I can have their cousin join them.

Do you have special memories of times spent with grandparents? Or are you at the stage in your life when you're making memories for your grandchildren?