grandchildren

Well, yesterday my wife and I started on a two day adventure.Yup! we agreed to babysit our 22month old Grandson, Braedon. What were we thinking? Now, please don't get me wrong, we just love this little guy,but I didn't know he was going to turn into the Energizer Bunny times 10. Why even that poor Bunny wouldn't stand a chance against his energy.
He isn't a bad little boy, just a very, very, busy one. If it isn't nailed down, Braedon is picking it up.We were into just day 1, when our cats' disappeared. No, they didn't run away, they just hid. I would have to, but I'd really rather deal with my grandson, then an angry wife,(after all, I did tell her I would help). Those cats hide better then that Bin Laden fellow, I'm sure he'll turn up before they do.
We babysit Braedon quite often, but this was the first 2 day Event, so far. We have set up a toy room,(use to be a sunroom). This room is filled with all the latest noise making toys that my sons' could buy. Yet our little bundle of joy, prefers playing with the wifes' Dirt Devil. It would be great if he actually put it to use, but the fact is, when it is turned on, he's scared of it.
So, it's early in the morning, time for Braedons breakfast. Ah! pancakes. Wise decision.Nothing like fried batter, with a sticky condiment like syrup. Our little guy is coated, head to toes, but he loves pancakes.
Well first bath of the day, yes, I said first bath of the day, several more to come.
After his bath, Braedon and I go for a walk, he loves the outdoors and all it has to offer. The noises and wildlife stir something in him.You can see it in those dark brown eyes. If I didn't hold on to him tight, he would be chasing every bird or squirrel he saw. We walk for about an hour, then I bring him back to the house, and we inspect my small vegetable garden. Well, I inspect, he plays in the newly formed mud puddles from the night before.
Bath number two! Sorry, I was watching him, but he snuck away once, I explain to a very frustrated wife, sorry, won't happen again. He's clean again, time for a little snack, and then off for a nap. Those nap times are a real Godsend. Gives you time to regroup and plan your next strategy. He usually naps for about two hours, just enough time for us to regain our breath, and more than enough time for him to recharge.

We have 4 grand children all together. Two beautiful girls, aged 11 and 12, and two wonderful little gentlemen, Aiden is now 3, and of course Braedon 22 months. We don't get to see our girls much, they live a long way from us, but we keep in touch regularly by phone, and FaceBook. Yes, my wife and I both have accounts.
Aiden, lives just a short 15 minutes away from us, so we see him often.He's just turning into a little man, always polite, please, thank you. your welcome,and all those other little things.What can I say, my son and significant other, are doing all the right things.
But, ah yes, getting back to Braedon, nap time is over, and he is completely recharged, I just wish I recharged that fast.He wants to go outside, toys all over the yard, a regular yard sale waiting to happen. Truth be told, most of these toys were bought at yard sales, Hell, got to help the economy, and my wallet, which is pretty damn thin right now. Please put the hose down, Nanny doesn't need to be watered. She's growing fine all on her own.No! leave the next door neighbours dog, he likes you, but don't try to stretch his tail. I'm sorry. we will try to keep him away from your dog.That poor dog is getting a nervous condition!
I bought a small above ground pool, just for when the grand children come over, at the present it looks like a pond, nice green algae growing, all it needs are some lily pads, and a couple of frogs. I guess you can tell, my up keep has been rather slack, but the weather has been crap so far this year, and apparently someone unplugged the pump and filter, I couldn't imagine how that happened! It must have been done sometime ago,so another little job, drain, clean, and refill the pool.
It is now time to make something for the next meal of the day. A BBQ sounds good. Braedon is a very good little eater, there isn't much that we make that he turns down. I'm thinking some chicken and baked potatoes with a little salad on the side. I'm actually a very good cook, my wife tells me so all the time.(I think she does this just so she doesn't have to cook) Well the BBQ is done, and we are sitting down to a great meal, Braedon has eaten all he can, and decides the cats, who have finally came out of hiding should be fed, so what ever he had left on his plate, is now on the floor.
Another bath, and now our little man is ready for bedtime.We sit in the playroom for awhile,letting him burn off a little more energy, and then off to bed, MY bed! YUP, we have no crib, so my wife decided that Braedon gets my side of the bed, and I get the couch. Oh, there nothing wrong with the couch, nothing that a good re-upholstering couldn't fix anyways. A few little lumps here and there. Yes honey I'll be fine.
So it's 3 in the morning, and I have drifted in and out of sleep several times now. It couldn't be the fact I'm not tired, might have something to do with the comfy sleeping arrangement though. So I get up and pour a cool class of juice, have a smoke, I shouldn't I'm in the early stages of emphesema, I'm just to damn stupid to quit. Well I have quit several times, and keep falling back into that same trap.
Back to the couch, and try to sleep.Apparently I did fall asleep, it's now 7 in the morning and I hear the pitter patter of little feet coming towards me. Braedon has awoken. My wife, on the other hand, has apparently died in her sleep, or is pretending to have. No one human could not hear Braedon when he gets up in the morning. He is the ultimate in alarm clock s for waking you up.
Come on Braedon, poppy will make you some breakfast. Eggs and toast are on the menu today. He loves eggs and he really likes the jam on his toast too.
I have gotten off easy this morning, not much of a mess, but still time for a bath.
We go through the same rituals and trials as the day before, and finally our son shows up to pick Braedon up. He asks all the usual questions, how was he, did he eat good, was he bad ? Never bad, just very busy, which puts a little smile on his dads' face. So after the little guy is gone with his dad, my wife and I settle down for a quiet evening, and wouldn' you know it, we both say the same thing at the same time, Damn I miss that little guy!

Grandparents need to have rights as well. Many Grandparents do not get to see their grand children, not because of distance, but because they are being denied the right . It is a very sad and heart breaking situation. So many homes get torn apart, through divorce, or just separation, and usually the children are the people who suffer. They don't, and can't realize the value of communication with their grand parents. They have years of experience and wisdom, that they can't wait to share, and if they are denied this right, something has to be done. If you are having problems with visitation try visiting a custody lawyer near you. The laws are usually different, depending where you live.