Yes, I guess it’s possible to part from my lanai, and travel north where we sit on a “porch” instead. And of course, we always look for reasons to visit the grands.
We are traveling and taking in the four most beautiful (and unpredictable) sights I have ever seen. We have four grandchildren that I refer to as natural disasters. No, I don’t mean to be unkind. It’s just that I’ve observed them when they come to visit my playroom and how they interact.
The first one I refer to as Hurricane, because when she comes into a room chaos begins. Toys get blown around, pulled out, played with, pushed over and somehow there’s always water involved. She loves to play in water. She takes immense joy in making puddles and splashing. She finds wet ways to fill the little teacups and the little teapots and all the Barbie doll pools. Therefore, she has earned her hurricane title honestly.
The second child I refer to as Tornado. Never have I seen someone come into a room, creating chaos, debris, and disconnect with each and every item as she flies around from corner to corner, turning things upside down all with the desire to explore. I get very little notice when she is coming my way. She is just suddenly there. The first thing she does when she enters our home is knock the drink coaster box to the floor. It’s her version of a warning shot. And then she spirals from room to room leaving things upside down and yards away from where they began.
The third child I refer to as Avalanche at just one year of age. All he has to do is pull himself up, and things begin to fall. He swings that little arm around, and there is an avalanche of items that slide and fall to the floor as he giggles happily. Toys, tissue boxes, snacks, and lampshades all tumble. He believes items must not be left on shelves but removed to the floor. All things are to be played with and investigated.
And the fourth child has not arrived yet, but I already know she will be named Earthquake. She will be the first born of our eldest son, and at 38 he will learn all about being a father. Because when she comes, it will be a seismic shift unlike we have ever seen before. The Earth will truly rumble. Things will become unstable, shifting and changing, rearranged forever more.
Consider this a warning. At four, three, one, and newborn, we will be in shock for several months to come, while sitting quietly (and recuperating) here on my lanai.
