Babysitting, Day Four

Sleep in! Stormy wind, rain, lightning, and thunder woke me before dawn but I didn't hear anyone upstairs. Later older granddaughter told me that she watched the shades in her room light up with every crash, not scared, just enchanted, sounding so much like me, except I would have wanted the shades open to better see the streaks crossing the sky. I've always enjoyed a good old thunderstorm and will sit on the porch for the best view, even if I have to snuggle under a blanket.

Starting the day with a rainy morning kept us in pajamas long after breakfast. Eventually we had to switch gears and plan for the big homecoming. The girls washed their hair, got dressed, practiced a skit, planned special treats and dinner, cleaned and straightened rooms, helped with doing laundry and putting away clean clothes, and had plenty of time to watch a movie on TV and, of course, to rehearse the skit a few more times.

Parents arrived about 4:00, and the torch passed seamlessly back to them.  Soon came the skit and treats from girls to parents, then surprises from parents to all of us.  One of the treats the girls wanted to share with parents was a platter of apple slices smeared with peanut butter we bought at the apple orchard the day before.  They were delicious enough to be appetizer, entree, and dessert all at once.  The peanut butter was made fresh from roasted peanuts and had no preservatives except honey.  Honey, no wonder it tasted better than any peanut butter ever.  We did have a choice between salt or no salt, but of course we opted for the salt.  Weather was mild enough to fire up the grill for cooking the hamburgers planned, and sitting around the table sharing a meal was life back to normal.  One final night routine, but this time after goodnight kisses on little faces we walked downstairs to pack for our trip home to Texas.