I’ve spent the last two weeks with my grandchildren, for what has become a yearly tradition that I probably should name. Nana camp? Cousin Connection? How about Family Time? Whatever I decide on for the official name, here is the truth of this time together:
- Every summer, right after the 4th of July, we gather our grandchildren for a week or two at our house without their parents. Time for some Nana and Papa love!
- Our two oldest cousins consider each other siblings. Naomee is an only child and lives 7 hours from us and the rest of our family. Evan is the older brother to twin 5-year olds and often feels “outnumbered” at home. They love each other dearly and after having been apart for months or weeks will greet each other with shouts of joy and big, dancing hugs. We try to spend at least part of this summer time together with just the two of them, playing big kid games and going on older kid expeditions.
- However, Morgan and Riley are 5 years old now and this year were willing to stay at Nana and Papa’s house without mom and dad. Both boys were so good and had so much fun with Evan and Naomee that next year, we may have to give up “big kid” time and include all of them in the same activities. Our only other granddaughter, Madison, lives here in town and loves spending quality time with her cousins. This year we had all five of the oldest cousins together for building fairy gardens, crafts and going to see Despicable Me3.
- The youngest two of our grandchildren are Madison’s younger brothers. Jackson is 2 ½ and Grant, who is 10 months did not participate this year, but maybe Jackson will join us for some activities next summer.
- Nana and Papa enjoy this time so much! Here are some of our traditions (we have been doing this for 3 years now!):
- Fairy garden building—this is a treasured activity that in the past, has often taken Naomee and Evan days to complete. This year, all 5 of the oldest each built their own little fairy garden and it happened in an afternoon.
- Beach time—give a child a floatie, a bucket, shovel and a beach and they will be entertained for hours!
- Water slides—see above—kids + water=good times!
- Ferry rides, Friday Harbor and whale watching. Our grand kids love the San Juan islands so much that the request for next year is camping on San Juan Island. Done and done—one of my favorite things, too!
- The latest kids’ movie all together—so much fun!
- Ice cream each and every day—at home, at DQ—doesn’t matter!
- Papa has been known to give kids chocolate cream pie for breakfast—and that’s ok because:
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What happens at Nana & Papa’s stays at Nana & Papa’s!
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Of course, these cousins see each other at other holidays (Christmas at Nana and Papa’s!) and birthday parties, but the chaos that is added when there are parents and it is more crowded is not the same. Having their grandparents to themselves, having the focus be on them and their fun and their relationships with each other is what makes this time special for all of us.
For Rory and me this is a chance to perhaps be remembered as beloved grandparents. Neither of us really had much contact with our own grandparents, so this is our second chance at this relationship. Our legacy in this world is our family and we hope to see all of our grandchildren grow up and even get to meet our great grandchildren! So we stock up on kid food, sand toys and craft supplies and get to “play” again.
Is it exhausting? Yes, of course it is, but the truth is that we are building memories and keeping family ties intact. These cousins will forever have summer memories in common long after Nana and Papa and even their own parents are gone. They will always have “remember when..” stories to share and laugh about together.
I think I have it: Cousin Connection, because that is what it is!
Feeling grateful and blessed here in my amazing grace-filled life!