It was more of a bribe on my part but a prize on her part. I drove to MO on Monday, spent two nights and came home with Addie on Wednesday. I could see her waking up on Thursday morning and wanting to go home and I told her so long as there was no bad weather along the way, any time she wanted to go home, I’d drive her back. But, I wasn’t excited at all about making two 20 hour round trip drives to and from MO in three or four days so I told her there would be a grand prize if she stayed the whole two weeks. Now, I’m thinking there may need to be a second grand prize to get her to go home. 🙂
I had bought an American Girl doll for her and it was going to be her Christmas present but I figured I’d rather enjoy seeing her open it and I doubt I’ll get to be there on Christmas Day. So, her grand prize was an American Girl doll and I had bought a matching outfit for Addie and the doll.
She was thrilled and thought it was a great grand prize.
Having spent two weeks with her, I’ve learned a lot more about gifts to get her for Christmas and her birthday. Doll clothes, especially matching doll clothes and outfits for her and Minecraft Legos. I ordered a small set of the Legos just to see if she really does put them together and she spent ours building, taking apart and re-building and it really was a small set so, even though I’m not sure how I feel about Minecraft, she and Chad play it a lot and he’s the parent so he gets to make those calls, I’m happy that they both seem to love playing with Legos.
The question is . . when is she going home? Next week I think. Depending on what happens with their school situation, I may go back in mid to late August and get her again. If they’re doing online school, Chad, Nicole, Vince and I will have a serious discussion. It may be better for her to be doing it here instead of her going to day care all day, then Nicole coming home from work with both of them tired and having to try to cram dinner, and online learning into the evening. We’ll see how it all goes.
Dottie says
Looks like she LOVES her AG doll – and the outfits are great!
Linda in NE says
Looks like the American Girl doll & matching outfits was a hit! I really hope kids get to go back to regular school. They need the structure and parents don’t needed the added job of “teacher” after they’ve worked a full day.
Jen says
I am glad to see Addie is having so much fun. My daughter wont stay overnight at my folks. I had to go pick her up at 11 p.m.! Good thing she was only 45 minutes away.
Judy Laquidara says
One thing I told her is that I will not drive at dark and I will not drive there if rain is predicted. I sat her down and we had a long talk about what happens if she wants to go home and it’s 10 p.m. (we can leave “tomorrow” if it’s not raining); or if it’s 2 p.m. (because we can’t get there before dark, we leave tomorrow if it’s not raining). Therefore, she made the choice and she has to live with it. I told her two weeks was the minimum I’d plan for her visit because the trip is so long so she was committing to stay for two weeks. We made it and she wants to stay another week so we’re doing great.
Deborah says
I used to spend a month each summer during the years when my dad was assigned inside the United States. They were always great times. The days were split between two sets of grandparents but there were two of us and we would swap sets of grandparents every how ever many days that they needed a break. I’m not sure which one of us was less trouble. Hopefully, we were both a delight but I’m sure they were ready to see us leave at the end of the month. Be assured you are building wonderful memories that will stay with Addie her entire life. I loved that month with my grandparents.
Susan Nixon says
How cute she and her doll are in their matching outfits. If the home schooling is going to be for a limited time, maybe a month, maybe you could stay there in your apartment and Vince could come and go as he wishes.
Nelle Coursey says
I know she loves and adores you both. I think she may miss her parents but she is having a lot more fun with you and you do spoil her. But that is a good thing. That is what grandparents are supposed to do. I don’t suppose it matters where she is if she can get the schooling online. I think that would be wonderful. Parents may not agree with me though! LOL
Lee Young says
What a fun and attentive grandma you are! I loved being at my grandparents’ and I think Addie and you are making great memories!. About Minecraft, even I love it (and Legos) and I’m 66. Minecraft has an educational version as well, which is used in many schools (so I’ve heard). My grandkids are 1200 miles away and we all get on a Minecraft world and play together (even their parents) and we can talk via an app called Discord. We haven’t taken the time to figure out the techy stuff to be able to see them while they play, but it’s a possibility too – amazing world we live in today.
Judy Laquidara says
Thanks! I had no idea about all that. I saw that there was an education version. I appreciate info from someone who plays it.