Life with young grandchild can be exciting, rewarding
Our grandson Anthony is the joy of our lives. A sweet little guy who is also extremely curious and imaginative.
He is observant of all his surroundings. From his car seat he will point out whatever intrigues or amuses him.
His excitement at seeing the police cars or fire engines in action as they speed past us, lights flashing, causes his eyes to open wide.
“Gramma Gramma!” he squeals from the back seat. “Look at that!”
He is always pointing out new signs on the roads and every bird, squirrel, dog or cat he can spy. If a new store appears, he informs me, and if we should happen to drive by one of his favorite eateries, he makes smacking noises with his lips in order to get my attention.
“Can we stop for ice cream?” or
“When can we go to the play place?” at one of his fast-food favorites will be asked.
Grandma is not very mechanically inclined. As long as there is an on/off button, I am fine, but anything else sometimes leaves me clueless. I have learned to work the DVR for our television, but when it baffles me, Anthony will take the control and show me what buttons to push to fix the problem.
He is very patient and it amazes me how his mind is so quick. His brain is like a little sponge and he soaks up everything he sees and learns.
His school is teaching computer work in second grade, but he tells me he already knows all about that stuff, what with his mom and grandparents having computers at home. He is savvy with his computer games, and his school has told them about a special math assistance game called Prodigy, which the kids can use at home.
He also is fond of Google Earth showing him the world and the relationships of our states to each other. Computers open up so much information right at kids’ fingertips, and now research often saves a last minute trip to the library.
Second grade is very different from when Grandma attended back in her day.
Anthony loves to assist with anything we are doing around the house. He helps Grandpa rake leaves and take out the trash. He loves to water my gardens in the summer, however that chore, I suspect, has more to do with playing with
He loves to push any and all buttons, literally, so he needs careful watching. Every store or building that offers a push button for the handicap door calls to him. If someone has left it ajar, we must wait until it closes so that he can push the button himself.
the hose, but still, he volunteers.
He will happily wash dishes in the kitchen sink, although we need to be prepared for a change of clothing for him after he finishes, as lots of soapy water mysteriously ends up somehow on him. “How did you get so wet Tony,” I ask. “I don’t know Gramma,” he’ll giggle. He loves to push any and all buttons, literally, so he needs careful watching. Every store or building that offers a push button for the handicap door calls to him. If someone has left it ajar, we must wait until it closes so that he can push the button himself.
Refrigerator buttons, microwaves, dishwasher, washer and dryer buttons are all fair game. He does not discriminate and no button is safe from his tiny fingers. My daughter warns us not to let him loose on Amazon or we could end up with mysterious deliveries of toys.
Elevators are a dread. At the Portsmouth Children’s Museum, Anthony pushed almost every button on the elevator panel before my husband could stop him. Even the call/alarm (which did not get a response) so we breathed a sigh of relief that we did not have to explain things red-faced to the local fire department or police.
He recently chose a dress shirt/tie outfit for church wear, and informs us that he is secretly an undercover cop. I am slightly uneasy as I have noticed him eyeing the button/latch on the tabernacle as we pass by for communion. Please Lord I pray, don’t let him even think of it! Grant is retired from the travel/tourism field, volunteers with Meals on Wheels, reviews books for the Daily Press and writes freelance articles. Contact her at grantjackie21@gmail.com.