A Week With Grandkids

Since moving to Texas, we have been looking forward to the time that we would get to have grandkids here with us sans parents. Two months ago, we finally got our chance to do just that. Troy and Jess arranged to go to Mexico for a week to celebrate their ten-year anniversary. As a gift to us, Ethan and Eliana came to visit. Jen had plenty of time to plan the week and account for nearly all of the waking hours each day. That statement doesn’t have much meaning until you’re on day 4 of the week. It just harkens to the adage of why young people are the ones that have babies and not the older generation.

Day 1 – Troy, Jess, and the kids arrive from their two-day drive, both happy and energized for the week to come. We enjoyed a meal together, some pool time, followed by a little relaxation for an early push to get them to the airport the next day. But the big event was letting the two kids know what their special day was. Ethan is getting a day on the water with Pop Pop fishing with a guide that my cousin Cathy, and husband Mike, arranged for us. Eliana is spending the day with Grandma Jen getting all the pampering stuff things like pedicure/manicure, tea house, and a movie.

Day 2 – I was up early, making sure I had time for coffee before leaving for the airport. I was a bit surprised, but delighted as well, that Ethan woke and came in to join me for breakfast. We shared some cereal, talked about the upcoming week and, of course, fishing. The rest of the day for me was going to the airport and back, Bucee’s, and swimming. I also started teaching Ethan how to drive the Turtle (Can Am SXS). It was a success in that we didn’t hit any structures or cars on the road, but Grandma’s iris garden was a little worse for wear after driving into it when Ethan got confused with stop and go and which peddle that corresponded to said action. No harm done and we parked and went to have dinner as Grandma was saving me from having any other mishap by offering food instead. She does know how to motivate me.

Day 3 – We all got up early so that we could get to the Caldwell Zoo before the East Texas day heated up the humidity made for a hot day for two Colorado kids not used to our climate. The zoo was even better than we expected as they have really made some updates and animal additions. The ice cream food truck was a hit along with the lorikeets and giraffe feedings. Souvenirs and lunch out, then home for afternoon pool time which became a daily routine in the heat of the afternoon.

Day 4 – Jen had the thought that an activities day for the kids in the house, while I mowed and ran the weed whacker, would be a good diversion. When I finished and cleaned up, we went to a kids’ activity house in Tyler. The kids had a good time running around touching and trying everything offered for their amusement while Pop Pop and Grandma got an opportunity to sit and relax. We occasionally got summoned to go to the top of the pirate ship and look through the telescope and convince Eliana that the cave-like tunnel wasn’t a pathway into the abyss, but instead was just how you got to the top. She wouldn’t have any of it and chose the stairway. A fun-time place followed by souvenirs, lunch, pool, downtime, dinner, and bed. Each night when the kids went to bed, Jen and I would sit down with a moan and an umph. We watched a show and bedtime beaconed us as well.

Day 5 – I can’t remember the last time I had to wake to the sound of an alarm, and this morning I had set two, just in case I hit the button out of a need to just shut the thing up. The second alarm would hit with a little more impact and wake both of us up. Three thirty in the morning, what the hell was I thinking? Ethan and I had a two- and half-hour drive to get to the lake and meet Gabe, our guide.  Jen had reminded us of the need to pack sandwiches, fruit, and plenty of water. I also snuck a couple Mt. Dews in, made myself a to-go coffee and into the truck and we were off. We stopped twice on the way, trying to catch a McDonalds that was open, but apparently, they now have bankers’ hours. Ethan fell asleep after the second bust on a breakfast sandwich and held out for a donut as we got closer. We arrived with donuts in hand, guides awaiting, and just enough time to potty and jump in the boat for the ride to the boat launch. Ethan was playing it cool all the way up to Gabe throttling up and us getting an early morning shower of spray from the boat. The smile was now ear to ear on Ethan, ok, me too. Got to the first honey hole, a brief explanation of the process from Gabe and depth we were fishing, what bait we were using, etc. And with that, lines were in the water. I no sooner got mine line to the right depth, and Gabe yells, “Fish on”. Ethen got the first one, and second one, and yes, the third one all within fifteen minutes of being there. I finally hit on how to hold my mouth correctly and landed my first one. So far, we had caught four inside of twenty minutes, which prompted my question of what the limits were. Fifty, you must be kidding. At this pace we were only going to be on the water for a couple hours either due to reaching our limit or running out of live bait. Things slowed a bit and Gabe suggested another sweet spot he knew about. My thought was that Gabe probably knew every yard of this lake and when on these different spots, he knew what kind of fish would hit including a catfish seemingly right in the middle of the lake. He had a new fish finder that literally could see our bait in the front of the fish and would tell Ethan either raise or lower a few inches. Me, I had to guess a little more as to the right depth. I was holding my own with Ethan, who was having the time of his life and had already caught more fish than on all the fishing trips he had been on prior to this one. Ethan and I finished out catching, losing, missing, and throwing back with just over fifty fish that would feed a large family of sixteen. Let me tell you something about guided trips like this. The hardest thing was getting on and off the boat, which getting off apparently was more difficult for me as I ended up on all fours in the sand and thinking only about who might have seen the fall. We sat in our seat, he handed us a pole to which we held it out and he baited us up, we dropped the line off the side of the boat, sat the hook, reeled the fish in, he netted the fish, took the fish off, measured the fish, either threw it back or put in the live well, baited us back up, and this went on for four hours. Then we got back to the lodge, he gathered the fish, we watched as he filleted them, bagged them, and put them in our cooler. Giving a good healthy tip, we grabbed a couple more waters and headed home. Ethan assumed his sleeping position, made sure he thanked me and fell asleep to fishing dreams I presume. We got home, compared adventures, and we all took a much-needed nap.

Day 6 – Zoofari day! We had to drive a bit, but man, it was really one the best drive through safari parks I had been too. Six and half miles of animals stuffing their heads in your car and not only eating what you were throwing on the ground, but apparently, they had discovered that it was much easier if they just eat out of our bucket our laps. No big deal unless it’s a 2000lb bison leaving a slobber trail on everything it came within three feet of. We laughed, Eliana squealed a bunch, Ethan laughed and wanted to go to the fence of the Rhino and feed it. Nope! We have to stay in the car. While Pop Pop sat in a rocker on the porch of the building, Jen and kids walked to the aviary to feed and have birds land all over them, petted numerous animals in the petting park, and finished by feeding the giraffes. Purchased our now expected souvenirs and went for lunch at a little family-owned Italian diner.

Day 7 – A down day going for a walk in the neighborhood, swimming, swimming some more, lunch, swimming again, naps followed by swimming. Dinner with Papaw and an early night of reading and peace time for the now exhausted grandparents. Troy and Jess were flying back the next day.

Day 8 – Aunt Sandra, Jason, and Grandma had one more adventure. And it was free too!!! We went to a bison farm where we loaded up into wagon pulled by a tractor and headed out into the field with the farm raised bison. What a kick putting the treats right on their tongue, which felt like a cat’s tongue. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the day with the bison and going to the diner for brunch with Sandra and Jason. Time to head back for swimming while Pop Pop headed to the airport to pick up Troy and Jess. I can’t say the drive by myself to the airport was bad, as a matter of fact, it was pretty blissful. Everyone loaded up and we made it home just in time for dinner. We were officially relieved of our duties watching the kids.

Day 9 – Ethan and I had been practicing driving the Turtle all week and today was the day to reveal to his parents that he now knew how to drive. We made numerous laps in front of them filming and he was flawless in his execution. Eliana got in on the bit too with steering as I did everything below the seat level. Ethan and I then were ready to have a fish fry and make wood fired pizzas in the Ooni pizza oven. Everything was great, Grandma had found the perfect coating for the fish. It reminded me of the fish fries I had as a kid after fishing with Dad, my uncle, and my grandfather the night before. Hopefully, it will stick with Ethan, and he will be talking about when he is in his sixties creating the same memories with his grandson.

Day 10 – Breakfast and then they were off. After a few hours of silence, we both turned to each other and proclaimed we already missed them.

We want more weeks like this with grandkids. The adventures might be different, not all kids are into the same things, but the memories will be just as special. We miss the kids around the house. We live for the time we get to spend with each and every one of them, but this week, Ethan and Eliana set the standard for grandkid visits. The open invitation is always extended, and we look forward to the new adventures we’ll get to have. Until then, we are still recovering and getting our energy back. I think we will have to get into grandparent visit shape prior to the next visit as we are out of practice and lacking the stamina for a full week. Maybe five days would be better…but really, we’ll take whatever we can get. Just come visit!!!