As usual, we tried to cram too many things into the three week time-frame, and we managed to do most, but not all of those “things”.

One of the BEST “things” we did was spend hours (literally) filming and photographing the kids doing various projects for a new “Crafts With Mema” blog series.  (You’ll be able to see these videos and photo tutorials over at NanaHood.com every Monday for the next several months!)

Of course the kids loved EVERY minute of their crafting with Mema… as did she.  In fact, I’m not sure WHO loved it more – them or her.  They made everything from Sock Puppets to Homemade Flour Dough to Homemade Paint to Stained Glass (paper tissue) butterflies.  I counted up the projects last night, and I think there are FORTY projects for me to post once a week over the next…almost year!

Mixed in between craft projects, the kids also enjoyed almost daily trips to Walmart and the park…. a few trips to our local museum… a movie at the theater… and lots and lots and LOTS of yummy goodies baked and cooked by Mema.

And then she went home.

The kids are adjusting fairly well.  Well, if asking for her 30 times in about 45 minutes is “fairly well”.  All three kids have asked when we were going to do a project.  And all three have asked if we could go to Walmart.  (“Not now”, and “No” were my replies… no wonder they miss Mema!)

It’s such a huge blessing to my children (and to me) that my mother is able (and willing) to come and spend so much concentrated time with us.  I watch her with them – her easy and fun and relaxed way with them – and then I remind myself that I need to be more relaxed as a Mom… to take more time for FUN… to let them BE them.

I know I still need to “be the mom” and teach and discipline and “raise my kids up right”.  But I can also let a bit of Mema-fun creep in, even when she isn’t here.  I can say “Yes” more often to the requests for cookie making or brownies for breakfast.  It definitely won’t hurt for me to hug and love on them more, and tell them how special they are to me, just like she does when she visits.  It won’t even kill me to take ALL THREE kids to Walmart more often (gasp).

Yes, I can learn from my mother, and how she “grand-mothers” my kids.  As Martha Stewart says, it’s a good thing…

Ok, who wants to do a project???

We aren’t lucky enough to live close to my parents, but they do live “close enough” to come see us a couple of times a year.  Last night, after a ten hour drive, my parents arrived and much squealing could be heard. (The kids were happy too).

Their arrival means we will be doing FUN things for the next three weeks. Papa can only stay for ten days, but yes, we have Mema for three weeks!  The kids have been making long lists in anticipation of the visit.  Things we plan to do?  A visit (or three) to the Natural History Museum, a day at the Children’s Museum, the Springs Preserve, and maybe a quick trip to the snow.

And Samuel has been planning a VERY. SPECIAL. TRIP. to Red Robin with Papa.  It’s one of Samuel’s favorite restaurants, and he knows Papa loves the fries, so he’s been talking about this lunch date for weeks.  Except he doesn’t want Papa to know.  It’s all very secret… hush-hush… a SURPRISE for Papa.  You know my dad will love it.

I’m especially looking forward to being able to get some projects done (with Mom to watch the kids while I work), and I’m hoping for a few extra naps (my own) and maybe even a night out with my husband.  And we will for sure have to get in a “Mom and Daughter” night at the movies.

All this to say… there’s a lot of LOVE and HAPPINESS in my home today.

Happy Love Thursday, everyone!