From the Heart
After spending a week with my two littlest grandmunchkins, I recognize that of the six grandmunchkins I have, Leah is perhaps the most like me.
She has inherited my inability to stay on track or stay focused. We both have a tendency to follow the squirrels.
Leah can be in the middle of a conversation and proceed to do a backflip, and then rise up to start a whole new conversation. While there is no way I can do a backflip I have been known to change the direction of a conversation. Sometimes I do it on purpose and sometimes, not so on purpose. I call it Squirrel Syndrome.
Leah’s expressions, at the age of six, speak volumes. Her eyes are a tell-all of what she is thinking. Her thoughts are let loose from her lips faster than her little brain can stop them. I understand it all too well. I have been the object of those thoughts.
We were leaving for her gymnastics meet and I struggled to open the door leading to the garage. Leah says to me, “Obviously, Grandma, you have trouble opening doors.” I kid you not. She said OBVIOUSLY. I told her, “Obviously, I need coffee.”
After her gymnastics meet I suggested we celebrate at the place of her choosing. I hoped it would not be Taco Bell or McDonalds. She said, “How about the gas station?” Yes … the gas station. Leah said, “Grandma, they have the best snacks.” So off we went to the Racetrack Gas Station.
Upon entering, I saw a wall of serve yourself yogurt/ice cream dispensers. It has to be what 6-year-olds dream about. They can then proceed to a smorgasbord of topping delights. The cost is by weight. Who knew gummy bears weigh so much?
It was Wednesday, after school, when Leah got off the bus in tears. The kindergarten bully had made Leah the object of her bullying on the bus. Now if you think that her mother did not go into Mama Bear mode, you are wrong. Emily began her interrogation of Leah as to what transpired, all the while this Grandma Grizzly was fuming. I did not care about the facts I just knew someone had made one of my littles cry.
Obviously, some little one had not been taught that part of what you learn in kindergarten is to be kind. Emily was able to calm down both Leah and me.
I later learned that the next day 8-year-old Aiden went into the office of the school safety patrol and explained what happened on the bus. The administrator said it would be addressed.
Aiden is focused on what needs to be done. He has a game plan for every day. He is a rule follower. Aiden has his goals written on paper and taped to his bedroom wall. You never have to ask him twice to do a chore. Obviously, he did not inherit these things from me. He’s like an eagle whereas Leah and I are like squirrel chasers.
Whenever Leah chooses an outfit we never know what it will be. While her mommy had her clothes laid out for every day, Leah did not always feel like wearing what her mommy had chosen. One day she came down stairs in high top tennis shoes, a skort and her soccer uniform top. I did not pick that as a battle to fight. I understood her freedom of expression.
I did question Leah when she put on shorts under her dress. She told me that it was a rule she had. Later I saw her doing cartwheels and I understood the rule.
If you are chasing squirrels and doing cartwheels you must wear shorts underneath your dress. If you have the choice of where you celebrate … go to the gas station. When you deal with bullies, find your big brother who is eagleistic (a Janetism) and he will find a solution. These are rules that Leah lives by.
They are good rules that even a squirrel chaser can appreciate.
Obviously, she is her grandmother’s granddaughter. Leah … enjoy the chase!