Grandparent-palooza take two

Just like last year, Kirby had the time of his little life traveling to visit with each of his grandparents.  Mimi and Deda came up to Indy and headed south with some extra baggage in tow.  Kirby was so excited.  For the week leading up to it, he was asking when he was going to Nashville and Spring Hill "by myself."  And the weekend that Mimi and Deda were visiting, he asked every time we got in the car, if he was going to their house "by myself".  Alright, alright, Mr. Independent.  And Monday morning rolled around, and I got Susanna Rose in the car to go to the Y for my (one of only two) shift (of the whole week...I've got it made, truly I do).  He walked up to the gate and opened it for me to drive through.  All he gave me was a big smile and a wave.  It makes my heart so happy that he is independent enough and comfortable enough to be away from my and Keith's care and the comforts of his own home. 

 

His visit with Mimi and Deda was complete with a pancake dinner at Cracker Barrel, which he now has named "Mimi and Deda's AND Memaw and Pepaw's favorite restaurant.  They took him to the library where he learned about Davy Crocket and played in a train table...literally in a train table.  He went to see Gigi and spent the whole morning at the (what used to be) Cumberland Science Museum learning all about airplanes.  He loved it.  It has been so funny hearing him tell me stories from the time he spent with them.  I especially loved when he told me rather quizzically, "Mom, did you know that Deda talks to the wall...????"  He played with Mimi ChooChoo and even played with all of Mimi's old farm toys.  He had so much fun, and I love that he has that one-on-one time with his grandparents.  I used to love my visits to my Grandmother's (Gigi).  We almost always went to Michael's and picked out some special craft that we did together, and I always ate like a queen there, starting the day with rice krispies with fresh peaches or strawberries no matter what time of year.  She had little yellow tubs of heavenly frozen fresh fruit, sometimes even strawberries she went and picked herself.  I hope he has memories like mine that he will cherish forever.  Sometimes it is the really simple stuff in life.

 

 

 

Ok.  Enough about my grandparent time.  More about Kirby's.  Mimi and Memaw met each other halfway through his tour of Middle Tennessee, and he visited Aunt Bea that night and Nannie and polished off a big meal at Captain Dee's.  Kid loves to eat!  He spent the entire next day with his Pepaw, playing trains and cars and swinging outsides, and the next day was full of the zoo with Memaw and Pepaw. 

 

The rest of the weekend was at "Uncle Twoey's" for the Fourth of July.  Susanna Rose, Keith, and I drove down Friday afternoon and met the group at Walmart, yes, I said Walmart, and Susanna Rose and Kirby had the sweetest reunion.  They just hugged and hugged and hugged right in the middle aisle.  I don't know that he really cared to see Keith or me, but that's ok.  He took his Memaw's hand and finished his Walmart trip with her and then headed to Twoey's house.  We had a blast!!!!  Always.  The weekend was full of cousins running all over the place, late nights, homemade ice cream, swimming in the pool, late night games for the adults, and of course ribs and BBQ.  YUM!  The kids saw cows, frogs, spiders, "catapitters", and kitty cats (which was Susanna Rose's favorite, I believe).  The kids broke down in tears when it was time to go, but we will be back for more fun.  When we left, Susanna Rose was asleep before we left the creek, and Kirby was not long behind her.  I turned around in the car to look at him, and I said, "Kirby, did you have the best week of your lif with Mimi and Deda and Memaw and Pepaw?"  A big smile spread across his sweet face, and he gave me an emphatic YES!!!!  I asked him, Dude, aren't you so lucky to have a Mimi and Deda and Memaw and Pepaw who love you so much and want to be with you so much that they will take you home with them?"  He smiled even bigger, and he said, "Yes, and I have a Twoey too!!!"  What a memorable week for that kiddo!!!

 

And sweet Susanna Rose is ready for her Grandparent palooza.  I was not as grand in the entertainment department with just a two year old home.  She missed Kirby terribly, and she cried several times that she wanted to go "like Kuuuuuby", and she even told Mimi that she wanted to go to her house by herself like Kirby and like Christian do.  Next year sweet baby, next year.  Mimi and Memaw, can we start planning Grandparent palooza Three???????