A Visit to Grandma & Grandpa's

Remember being little and visiting your grandparents? Looking back now, with 28 years of trips to see my own grandma & grandpa, it almost seems magical. Grandma & Grandpa Johnson lived in a happy, little town at 1611 Southbrook Lane. Grandpa sat in his chair with his big, black dog on his lap. Grandma got up early to serve us warm peanut butter toast and juice in little glasses. Grandma & Grandpa Scott were on the edge of the city with a great big tree in the yard. When we went for drives in their comfy car, I could feel each patched-up crack in the road as we bump bump, bump bumped to a Twins game. The busyness of life didn't exist and thoughts of tomorrow consisted only of friends and places to play. I know I can never go back to the innocence of being little on a visit like that, but I'm not stopping myself from trying to experiencing that through the eyes of my little Ella.

Yesterday, after a long car ride (& one longer-than-hoped-for stop to clean a diaper and brand new car seat) we were happy to arrive in Wisconsin on a visit to see Grandma & Grandpa Olsen. Pete is has a few nights of call this week, so we thought we'd taken advantage of the time to get away without feeling like we'd miss seeing him during the day. Auntie Kristin arrived this morning and Ella is soaking up the attention. Today we went to the little zoo in town between lunch and naptime. Later we'll probably go for a walk around the small lake behind the house. It's relaxing to be here. Like a vacation. I don't have to think about what to get done during Ella's naps or when she goes to bed at night. I can sit, read, walk, watch TV, eat chocolate and plates of grapes and cheese. Oh, and I can sit without any regret and watch a Green Bay football game with two life-long fans. It's good to visit Grandma & Grandpa.

I can't help but imagine the kind of memories of visits to see her grandparents that Miss Ella is creating. I do know, that with a grandma who makes a tiny ice cream cone treat like this, those memories are going to be pretty sweet.