Tuesday, July 21, 2009

A Week of Thrills and Chills....


Last week was a winner of a week. I had the delight of visits from two of my favorite girls, Arianna and Haley. Arianna is our granddaughter and Haley our Great Niece. She calls us Grandma and Grandpa, too...we don't mind a bit. The girls are very close in age and interests so the fun was insured from the beginning. The Pageland Watermelon Festival was in full swing on Friday and Saturday and the girls had roped their Uncle Wallace into taking them for the rides on Friday night. They are ten years old...well Arianna will be ten on the 28th of this month...Haley is ten already.


I drove them to Pageland and dropped them off at the Newspaper office with their Uncle Wallace. He was nearly as overjoyed to take them to the park as I was to be heading back to Jefferson. Where once I adored these things, now I just don't. It had been a long week and even though the girls had mostly entertained themselves, I was tired. I think it was on day three of the visit that I realized why we have children when we are young. Wallace promised to take pictures and I happily headed back to Jefferson. At 10 pm I got the call to be in the parking lot at 10:30 and they'd be ready to go. I arrived just in time for the rain that had begun to fall, hoping it was doing the same thing in Jefferson. The girls were still so excited and talked about the rides they had been on. They pronounced the swings dull (not when I once rode them, swinging high over the heads of the revelers in the park) and spent most of their time on the Plane...it went round and round, over and under and forward and backward. It was pronounced "kewl". "Grandma, I rode the Plane four times and didn't even puke, " Arianna told me with such enthusiasm that I quickly stepped back in case my shoes got splashed by delayed reaction. As you can see by this last picture, it was not just a stray thought going through my head. So, my precious girls...that's Haley on the left and Arianna on the right in the top picture, have returned to their homes and I'm sure they had a great time. I cooked what they wanted, watched what they wanted, pretty much did what they wanted. They were looking forward to going home to their parents, I'm sure. I was just looking forward to a nap.

49 comments:

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

We've got Maddy for a few weeks. Her "best friend" here is my neighbor's daughter, who is the same age as Moose. They've been having a great time together. In fact, they're both snoozing upstairs this very minute - I'm sure they were up late torturing Kaleb, Jacob and my step-nephew Derri. lol

Got some bad news about Dad last night. Doctor says he's got prostate cancer. He's at the doctor right now and I'm waiting to hear the prognosis. There's a good cure rate with this cancer so we're very hopeful. I'll let you know something when I know something.

Glad you enjoyed the girls!

Sissy

Akelamalu said...

I loved rides like that when I was young but lordy not now!

Great pics of the girls, and such bonny girls they are too!

Diva's Thoughts said...

I love thrill rides. Still do! It's great being around kids. I love it. In doses though. lol

Lee said...

Fantastic! Those are two great looking girls! Probably a name connection but I think Haley does look a little bit like her child actress namesake. Haven't decided if Arianna looks like child star in particular yet but she's sure got personality shining from that face. :-)

I loved rides when I was younger too. Still do although I'm a bit leary of the roughest ones thanks to a not so hot experience on the Fiesta Texas Rattler when I was forty. The girls are right, swings ARE boring. Much prefered are the tilt-a-whirl and things like water rides where you can get wet and stuff like that.

So glad you had them for this fun time!

Hugs,
Lee

Terri Steffes said...

That's so fun! I cannot ride the rides anymore... I just never seem to get the old balance back... age, maybe??

Cynthia Pittmann said...

There is no way you would find me on that ride, Sandi, but the girls seem to love it. Take a good long relaxing day to rest and just remember that you are creating unforgettable memories for your grandchildren. <3

I got a bit behind here but I'm adding you to my blog roll on the sidebar so we don't lose track of each other.

2Shaye ♪♫ said...

Sandi, I think you're so right about having children when we're younger. On our last trip home with our three children (the oldest is 5), after a night of babysitting so that hubby and I could go on a date, my father (Boomer's hubby) said, "How do you not just fall over at the end of the day???" Heehee!

Hugs,

~Shaye

Sandy Kessler said...

heavenly memories sandy

Pam said...

what cute pictures of the girls. sounds like you had a lovely time visiting with them. I would have had to admire that ride from afar, I don't do the spinning, upside down ones. haha.

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

You had a fabulous week!! I love the photos! Can't ride those rides!

Mary said...

Looks like they had FUN! Take a well earned rest.Both my daughters are displaying cold and flu like symtoms so I guess we will be in isolation for the time being until we know whats what!!Keep well Mary

Jeni said...

Since I was more than a bit of a tomboy as a kid, I really loved the rides and the wilder the better. Except for the Ferris Wheel -always had a fear of heights, ya know! Nowadays, I don't go near rides, except to sit on the merry-go-round with the little grandson, Kurtis. Too many stiff and achy joints to try to get into or on some of the rides these days, ya know.

Donna said...

If I knew you could send them home...I'd of had Grandkids First!Hahaaa....hughugs

Maggie May said...

I know the feeling well, Sandi...... that *Phew they've gone* feeling tinged with sadness too. Where do they get their energy?
They are lovely girls.
Glad you didn't attempt that ride!

Love Bears All Things said...

I know exactly what you mean. I said something similar to my daughter once about how tired I was after babysitting her two when they were smaller. She said, well, I have them every day. To which I replied, But, you are 21 years younger than me. That shut her up.
Thanks for the comment on my outing with my sister. We did enjoy it. We need to do things like that more often.
Mama Bear

Vee said...

So how do you feel about those rides, Sandi? Wish you'd speak more plainly. Ha! Is there anything on earth more exhausting than ten-year- old girls all a giggle? I think not. You've done a great job being grandma and now you've earned your rest. Wonder what eleven year-olds are like...

Sally said...

So glad they had fun, and you too. They sure are cute!! :)

Jeanne said...

The girls look like they're having a ball. Now I don't see any sign of you on that ride lol.

♥ Boomer ♥ said...

Sandi, my daughter "2Shaye" above is spot-on right, as are you. We understand why God let young mamas mama and older mamas rest in the rocker. :-)

Shrinky said...

Those two sweeties are too cute for words! I haven't a clue how I survived birthing four children within five years, especially as I didn't start until 30.. I now have four teenagers under the same roof, but have to confess it's a breeze compared to the earlier days..!

Mickle in NZ said...

What an exciting time for the girls. They will remember this holiday with Grandma and Grandpa, and the fun with Uncle Howard to a long, long time.

Taking the time and making the effort builds such happy memories for everyone.

Hope you've caught up on snoozles,

care and love, Michelle and Zebbycat, xxx and snuggles

Mickle in NZ said...

P.S. - never got to goon fair rides as a child or teenager. Went on my very first rollercoaster aged 22 at The Prater in Vienna, Austria.

Never a screamer or a squealer (I loathe squealing) I laughed my way around, and on every other ride too. I lost my voice from laughing that night!

Oh Sandi - thank you for bringing back such a happy, oh so funny memory from 1987, Michelle xxxxxxx

Debra from Bungalow said...

Good job, grandma! Not crazy about those rides but those two sure looked like they were having fun. I am so afraid of heights, so it's not for me.

Unknown said...

awwww...grandparents are just great! i miss mine. hoping to have kids while i'm still somehwhat young.

Mrs Mac said...

LOL!

I remember loving funfares. I last had a good day at one for my friend's 30th birthday. I was the same age. We still enjoyed the rides as much as ever but found ourselves asking, "HOW did we ever run from ride to ride?" -suddenly we needed 'sit downs' and cups of tea. LOL!

I'm 41 now and never had kids. She has one daughter. She's a great kid but I am so grateful to hand her back to her mum at the end of the visit and get back to my tv and tea. HAHA!

Suldog said...

Hah! Nothing quite like the tired you feel after being tired out by kids!

♥ Braja said...

Lovely to see you again Sandi....fun seems to be on the agenda; my post may not have expressed that....but oh yeah it's there :)

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Love to see them come......love to see them go! I sometimes think about that woman approaching 60 who had twins and think she is nuts! Glad I had mine while I was young!

Jamie Dawn said...

Sounds like a very fun and tiring time. Really good fun often leaves us plum tuckered.
:-)
Those girls are pretty and full of life and joy.
I know you enjoyed their visit, and you also enjoyed resting up after they went back home.
I still like roller coasters, but I cannot take rides that spin around. I would have puked on your shoes for sure!

Merisi said...

I hope you had a long and restful siesta! :-)

Carol said...

Hi Sandi what lovely littel girls you are so proud I am sure.
Sounds like fun was had by all.
Hope you are keeping well, it was os nice to hear from you again.
Lots of love from Guy and Carol xx

Hilary said...

What adorable kidlets they are.. your photos are wonderful. Hope you have a fine rest! :)

Cheffie-Mom said...

What fun! Precious kiddos! Love the photos!

Carol Murdock said...

Hey Sandi! I made it through the ORDEAL but nearly committed suicide during the prep! HA!
Had good and bad news from it.
The girls are dolls, I have two my grans next week. Looks like I'm following a week behind you on everything! HA! :)

Joanna Jenkins said...

What sweet faces. The girls are lovely! Thanks for sharing!

Deb said...

Hi ~ Like many other commenters I also can no longer ride the upside down, sideways, backwards fast rides - and I used to love them. Glad you had a fun visit and now I hope you can rest.

♥ Braja said...

As I said on Otin's post last week....I just don't get all that whizzin' around in machinery :)))))

NeereAnDear said...

This gal is SOOOOO not a ride fan.... between getting my lip split by bumper cars and puking after riding the roller coaster ... the fun times are out for me... I get sick just riding in the back seat of a car... LOL

I often envy those who can handle their insides being shaken and stirred.... more power to the wee ones...

Sounds like a visit to grandmas is just what the DR ordered....

LOTS OF HUGS
JO

NitWit1 said...

In my long forgotten youth I could ride all those things. Now I have to take a motion sickness pill to ride the very curvey, up-and-down steep hills where I live!

But it looks like the kids had predictably great fun day!

Mockingbird Hill said...

Sandi...I am always so amazed that I have been allowed the good fortune to be the Mom of a "little" girl...and these pictures and carnival rides bring back so many memories for me!

Congrats on your Book Success and on the colonoscopy "All Clear"...and , by the way, you look wonderful. :)

Take Good Care...Cassie

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I know they had a ball..higs..m.

david mcmahon said...

Looks like a great time was had by all!

Susan said...

You made me laugh at your end "I needed a nap". Haha. Then I added you to my 'Feeling Sorry For Myself' post - it just tied right in!

��Radio Mihalis Thalassis - Athens Greece said...

Good morning I want you to be always well, bye ,Michael

myonlyphoto said...

Sandi that is so nice to give children once in the while such a freedom, they do need to let it all out and have some real fun, especially with grandparents. This also reminds me when we took my nephew and niece to the zoo, on the way back home they sat in the car and said nothing, I guess they were not too thrill to go back home. Anna :)

Mima said...

Sounds like you all had a wonderful time, but not surprised that you didn't want to go on the rides - they scare me too! Must have been lovely for you to have the girls with you, lots of special memories for them too. Great to get a rest once they went home though!

® ♫ The Brit ♪ ® said...

Wonderful photos sandi! and as everyone can see you had a fantastic time! This is the secret to life eh?! - Enjoy every minute!!!
Big Hugs Lovely Lady! XX

Oman said...

looks like a fun time not only for the girls but for you as well. have a nice day.

Anonymous said...

The swings....how i loved the swings!! You know....I think I will go to our little county fair in late August...just to ride those swings again. xo Lynn