SEVEN-FOOT ARMS

We had another grandparents' day in "The 'kosh" yesterday. I am still recuperating! Courtney and Paul needed some couple time, that is separate from parent time. Besides, the little one has been under the weather with croop and, of course, an ear infection. I guess she is now officially an American child. Moma and Papa needed some relief, so we, naturally, jumped at the chance. We had planned to visit anyway, but this was another opportunity to spend quality exclusive time.

Courtney and Paul needed to run important errands and get their vegetable garden set up for planting. They took off for parts unknown, we took off for one of Tizu's favorite places, Hobby Lobby, or as she says "lobb lobba". Once in the huge store we took a cart, mostly for her as a ride. And that she did, all but in the conventional manner. She began by holding on to the front end, then in the basket sitting and standing alternately. Intermittently she needed to get out and "walk" as she says. It is far more like a sprint and a chase. This, and her grabbing almost everything within her reach. This is only part of the title reference.

We went to lunch at a "safe" place, Culvers. She likes their grilled cheese and chocolate milk, so we assumed it a safe place to enjoy our noon repast. We found a booth and settled in. I brought a high chair and set the diaper bag on the side opposite of Sherri and Tizu, then I proceeded to the counter to place our order. After doing so, I grabbed the paper cups, filled them and brought them to the booth, placing them out of the two-year-old's reach. I forgot the plastic order number, so I had return to the counter to retrieve it, where the cute teenager gladly handed it to me. I then gathered the condiments and the first group of napkins. By now the little one was "enjoying" the fruit we brought from home, as well as the salt and pepper shakers. I spotted the booster seats by the soda machine and brought one of them to replace the high chair I had to return. I finally got to sit down.

Meanwhile, Grandma was attempting to get the princess to eat, instead of play with the food we brought. Our purchased food arrived. Tizu immediately grabbed at Grandma's burger, abandoning her own deeeelicious grilled cheese. After making a big deal about unwrapping the straw, Tizu grabbed the now opened bottle of chocolate milk, brought it quickly to her face and just as quickly began drinking. To our surprise - and delight - she did not spill a drop, but the potential was astoundingly anxiety-producing.

As we attempted eating, Tizu, merely about thirty inches tall, was able to reach all the way across our table and then to the table over the wall next to us in the opposite direction, all while us stuffing food into her face begging her to eat.

Actually, the little one ate half the sandwich, lots of the "salted" fruit (her experiment with the shakers) and provided us and the nearby observers with quite a show. It is difficult to chew and laugh simultaneously.

We met the parents at their chosen luncheon spot for a briefing, and returned home for a nap trial. On the way back to Cassa VanAuken, Tizu fell asleep in the car, but of course, awoke on the way upstairs. Grandma and I went to bed with Tizu, at her insistence. We dozed off while she remained wide awake.

Upon their return, Moma stopped up to observe the napping progress. She was, shall we say, less than impressed. I went downstairs to help Papa move dirt from the pickup bed to the garden plot while Moma attempted the nap. Grandma replaced her later, with no luck also. Projects were undertaken, the garden plot was completed and the day was concluded with a bath and pizza. Again, good times.

I recommend viewing Grandma's blog for pictures and diffrerent descriptions, perspective and photos. The link to it appears at the right. Thanks Grandma. Enjoy!