My SO and I got to spend time with our grandchildren and their parents today. Due to distance, when these days occur, they are always very special, although time with family would be cherished even if it was possible weekly!
TLV, TLV'sLB and Princess Leia were in fine, giggly form today, ripe for grandparents to interact with. Books were read, Little People were played with, swings were swung, and fish were observed. Each of their distinctive personalities were displayed and a good time was had by all.
Grandchildren are so easy to play with because they love exaggerated sounds and actions. In fact, the more outlandish the physical movements or facial expressions are, the more the children get into whatever activity is happening.
Princess Leia, whose very first birthday was celebrated for the second time (I asked her mother if that made her two!) spent over ten minutes watching the fish in the fish tank. She loved the feel of the glass aquarium and there were some smaller fish that she was particularly attracted to. Each time these fish would swim past her vantage point, she would become very animated, pointing and vocalizing enthusiastically. After that she regaled being pushed in the swing for at least fifteen minutes, smiling the entire time. We communicated with each other by repeating all of the single syllables such as ba, da, and ma. Clapping was a big hit as was any buzzing or bubbling sound that can be made with the lips, which always elicited a big smile, accompanied by the signature crinkled up nose!
The boys loved a game that spontaneously happened. TLV'sLB climbed up on my lap and his belly was just too temping to not tickle. He leaned over backward and I automatically and instinctively grabbed his hands as he leaned over my knees, with his head very close to the floor. As he was chortling, I opened up my knees and said, "Oops", as he moved rapidly downward toward the floor, which was not problem because I had his hands.
And, so the simple game of "Oops" was born and was repeated over and over and over. It only stopped with TLV'sLB because TLV suddenly discovered what was going on and wanted to have his turn. From then on, for perhaps ten minutes more - nonstop - the game of "Oops" was played with alternating, giggling boys. The longer I waited to say "Oops", the longer the suspense played out and the more giggling that came, with the unsuspecting child never quite knowing when the knees would part and the 'drop' would occur.
T'was just a simple game, but granny and the boys had lots of fun. In fact, I don't know which one of us enjoyed the game more!
And all I had to say was, "Oops!"
Ancora imparo
