Celebrating Traditions Give Our Lives Meaning

Grandchildren help.

Sometimes, we forget about the innocence of childhood. I am fortunate to live within 30 minutes of my eldest son and his family. The granddaughters were 3 and 6 years old, and the excitement of Halloween that year was palpable.

First, we went to the pitch to watch both girls play soccer, if you can call what the 3-year-olds do playing soccer. Then we returned to their house to have dinner and get ready to go out trick or treating.

Halloween

The Halloween plan was for Mum and Dad to go out with the girls to places they knew or places with minimal contact. Remember, this was during Covid. The grandparents would stay at home and give out the candy.

We put a table in front of the steps to the door and laid the candy out for the children.

We are fortunate that they live in a neighbourhood with children of all ages. Our job was to check the table and refill it as needed. I was so surprised that all the children only took the sets of 2 tiny candy bars each. By the end of the evening, we had only a few candy bars left.

My younger granddaughter was the princess from Rumplestiltskin, and my older granddaughter was Wonder Woman. The younger one was jumping up and down with excitement. This was her first Halloween, and of course, she loved princesses.

Trying to get some dinner in them wasn’t easy, but finally, they finished, and the girls brought their costumes down to get help dressing. The little one barely could stand still to put her princess dress on.

These girls are so lucky to have grandparents from each parent and further fortunate that we all love participating. I don’t know who the luckiest group is, the girls or the grandparents. It is a toss-up.

Traditions

One of the girl’s favourite meals is pizza. When they come to grandma’s house, they help add the toppings to my homemade pizza dough. I always ensure plenty because they put one olive slice on the pizza and one in their mouth. This continues with each topping.

Traditions are important to children. One thing that my husband does is make homemade popcorn with a cast iron frying pan and peanut oil. The first time our oldest granddaughter had a sleepover, he made her her own bowl of popcorn. When she would phone on Facetime, she’d always ask if Granddad was making popcorn. He’ll make it when I come over, right Grandma? Of course, he will!

I love Christmas and feel that I am a kid again at Christmas. When we moved into the townhouse we are in now, the first thing I saw was the large two-story area around the stairs. I wanted this place because there was room for a live 14-foot Christmas tree.

Of course, the master on the main and the large backyard didn’t hurt. The tree that causes my granddaughters to gasp as they come in the front door is worth so much.

Our grandchildren are such a precious commodity. I remember saying I wasn’t ready to be a grandparent and then thinking it wasn’t up to me.

Well, here they came, ready or not. And are we ever glad they’re here?

What are some of your traditions.? Let me know.