We had a lot of stuff to carry; two sleeping bags, two pillows, two yoga mats, a backpack, a purse and an overnight bag; a LOT of stuff. Between the two of us we had a pair of six year old arms and some old gramma muscles. One of us was too excited to focus, the other was very focused on not loosing the excited one. We were a bit of a gong show but we were geared up, wound up and ready to be locked in the aquarium for the annual Volunteer sleepover.
This particular six year old had been looking forward to this date for a year – ever since her now seven year old cousin got to initiate gramma to camping with an excited six year old. She had been packed since the crack of dawn and ‘how long now’ing her dad since breakfast time. She was in the zone. Gramma was pooped before we parked the car.
I am lucky on so many levels it makes my head spin; lucky to live close enough to my granddaughters to be part of their lives on a regular basis, lucky to be healthy enough to participate in their lives, lucky those granddaughters seem to like to spend time with me and their parents are game to let them. I am blessed. My little girls dip my life in chocolate, and I love chocolate.
Enthusiasm is contagious and I’ve been spreading the stuff like a cold germ. I love the aquarium. My little girls love the aquarium. Our enthusiasm for the place feeds off each other and we light the dim galleries with it. I’m not counting on the allure to last through their teenage years so I’m grabbing every ounce of it now while I am still ‘cool’ to hang around with.
After hours at the aquarium is quiet, the usually dim galleries border on dark as the fish sleep with their eyes wide open. The anemones tuck into themselves and the gurgling sound of filtration systems hum. Outside sea lions and seals snore while making rocks look like feather beds and sea otters drift on sleepy waves. It is magical.
Magic makes this little girl sparkle – she is interested in everything and game to get her hands wet. Not a moment of the adventure went to waste, she was into it all and bright eyed right to the moment her head hit her pillow – she was lights out even before they turned the lights out.
There seemed to be more children participating in the sleepover this year but I was the only gramma again. I think where camping on concrete and staying up past midnight excites kids it discourages sensible seniors from signing up. I only have second thoughts about the adventure in the wee hours of the morning when I’m trying to roll over again and wondering if I’ve actually grabbed any sleep at all. One glance at the peaceful face sleeping beside me and I am reminded that achy muscles are a small price to pay and I will sign up again next year. Memories are made of this.
Comments (14)
So very happy she got to experience this with you. Hugs.
Me too. 😊
What a lovely tradition to share with the girls.
They love it. I love it. It’s a win/win 😊
What a beautiful child! I commend you for being a special Grandmother! I remember how special Gramma BARR was and I always loved watching my Mom with her grandkids. I love hearing their stories today about the things she did with them. Today I have the special privilege watching my sister and her beautiful grandkids create special memories.
We did have a special Gramma!
You’re a wonderful Grandma!
Thank you 💕
I read your allaboutelva.com stories as Sue Frame shares them and I love them all!! For this one I say “grandma, grandma fo fama, grandma”!! You rock!! A spectacular grandma event that should I have grand babies someday I will follow in your aquarium footsteps!!
Thank you 😊! Gramma-ing is the BEST!
How sweet is that chocolate line. Love it! ♡
So sweet…. the sweetest. 😊💕💕
So awesome for both of you. You are a gamer!
😁❤️