July 16 FUN kids

Wednesday:  I am posting these last few days in a rather delayed fashion. Having said that, I can't completely remember all of what we did together. I didn't really take that many pictures because we were basically doing the same types of activities the few hours we had each day.

I arrived at their house a few hours early each day to do a bit of housecleaning. A housecleaning grandma isn't a bad thing to have! This is what I figure--both Dylan and Kelly work full time. There are FOUR children. They have a LARGE house. Dylan and Kelly have an abundance of skills in many areas of life; but ... housecleaning and organizing isn't their strong suit. Take me, though--I have no college degrees, worked the same transcription job with the doctors for close to 30 years, and I am an "artist" at heart. Also, my skill set is strong in ORGANIZATION and cleaning. The added bonus is that I truly enjoy doing both. I love to SEE that I am making a difference in life ... at least somewhere!

I figured while Dylan and Kelly were gone for two weeks, I would just do the stuff that I didn't think they would find offensive; like deep cleaning the bathrooms (not the master bath because that's their personal space), vacuuming the main floor and basement (removing couch cushions, moving furniture and getting behind), picking up toys, organizing toys, etc. The bathrooms were a job and a half! But they sparkled shiny when I was finished. They looked SO nice ... and for some reason, that just satisfied me deep in my gut. I am wondering if they will allow me to be their volunteer (free) housecleaner one day a week (once school starts up again for the kids). I think I could maintain the bathrooms, the kitchen, the main floor play areas, and 3/4 of the basement if I just divided the duties up week by week. I'll suggest it to them and see what they think. There is a danger, however, of becoming a really obnoxious mother-in-law--which is the last thing I want to do. Their house is NOT my house, and I have no right to fuss at them about it ... mostly.

Aidan challenged me to a game of CHESS and I'm not sure, but it might have been the WORST game of Chess I have ever managed to lose. Aidan insisted on playing the game while doing aerobics on their couch ...

... half the time he was upside-down ... and then finally the blanket he was fooling with fell on top of our game, which ended it rather abruptly. I gave the WIN to Aidan, though, because he had been winning right along. He was pleased with that decision.

I love these kiddos so much. They are a ton of FUN.