By way of explanation, my oldest grandchild, Isaac, who now lives in Washington, originally couldn't say "grandpa" and called me "Mum-pa." The next oldest, Elizabeth, who now lives in New Jersey, didn't hear "Mum-pa" and started calling me "Pum-pa," by which name I am also known to her siblings, the triplets. Daniel didn't hear "Pum-pa" or "Mum-pa" but heard "Shum-pa." It's all very confusing for me because I have to remember who I am with to call myself by my name known to them. Sometimes it comes out "Grumpummumshum-PA," all slurred together!
At any rate, Daniel is a sweet boy, and it is great to have him spend time with us. He has historically cried and carried on when his mother drops him off or when we pick him up, and he did so this past weekend. But hours later, after he mourns the separation from her, he gets into the grandparents routine, and by Sunday afternoon, having had a great time with us, he becomes sheepish about leaving us. Go figure!
We try to show love to him any way we can. We do not indulge him, despite occasional protestations, but consistently complement him for good choices, minimize the amount of TV time, watch a movie and eat microwave popcorn, make sure he puts away toys when he is leaving, read bedtime stories to him, and feed him nutritional food (one of his favorites being what he calls "popsicle yogurt" which is Yoplait Orange Creme yogurt with a orangesicle on the label).
A couple of activities we always seem to do which he enjoys is going to the kiddie park which is about 150 yards from our home, and going grocery shopping at the supermarket close to the park. He enjoys playing in the sand with our beach toys, swinging, climbing, generally having a fun time. I always get him laughing when, after pushing him in a swing, I will stand in front of him facing away and allow him to gently kick my behind. I love to hear his laughs. He also enjoys how "Shum-pa" puts him in the grocery cart and then will tickle him, or push the cart in circles, or pretend to almost crash the cart into displays.
This past weekend, he had a jolly time chasing Suki the cat around the house, attempting to get the cat to play with the dangling teasing toy in his hand. He also enjoys playing with marbles on the "back-and-forth-marble-ramp" in which the marbles descends with gravity down a switchback path. This toy has been a favorite of all of the grandchildren, as well as of our kids, since it was made many years ago by Grandpa Paxman.
Doug, his father, and one of the kids that played with the marble thingy, is serving in the US Army. When Daniel comes to our home, we always make sure that he gets to talk with his Daddy, either just on the phone, or with Skype. He sometimes gets sad when it is time to say goodbye (read:more separation anxiety), but I know that he loves hearing and sometimes seeing Daddy, and it is one of the highlights for him.
Another thing that he seems to look forward to doing is attending church services on Sunday. We have bought some awesome sticker books which keep him occupied and which allow us to listen--kind of. He used to go to nursery afterward where he was showered with attention and care by a wonderful, loving older woman, but this past weekend he started a new class with older kids, and did just great! It is now part of his routine when he visits "Gee-ma" and "Shum-pa," and he always verifies that we are going to attend services on Sunday.
Because he is the only child in his home, and I have to guess, because it is part of his personality, he does well playing alone. Although he will become bored, he doesn't complain, and will do something else to amuse himself. Having grown up essentially as essentially an only child myself, I relate to his behavior completely.
He has a calm temperament. He does things when asked, often immediately, and is never under foot. He can be very affectionate (I really like the occasional hugs I get), and likes sitting on laps, or next to us on the sofa while watching the movie. He is simply a pleasure to have with us, and he has taken up residence in my heart!
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