Monkey business

At first glance, Marc and I knew the "Funtopia" place in Lehi was something our grandkids would enjoy.

Hannah conquering her fears

We could easily envision Mia at the top of the plastic tower of blocks. We could see Cael climbing the rope ladders.

Mia monkey

We just weren't sure that Hannah would like it just because she's unpredictable in what she'll try.
But we signed on anyway since we were having them for a week while their parents and oldest sister went to Maui.
It looked like something different and fun.
We signed up Marc as well because he likes to try everything and we might need him to help bring somebody back down once they climbed clear up.
Turns out no one had to do that and in fact, the only one that fell off with a terrific thump was Marc!
My job was to monitor the process.
The only real trouble we had was that Cael, being 3, was a bit too lightweight.
His safety rope kept taking him up when he wanted to stay down or where he was.

Grandpa trying to keep up

Someone had to hang onto him to keep him on top of the blocks.

Cael coming down!

But the attendants were very helpful and one guy even went all the way from block to block hanging onto Cael's safety line so he could reach the top one. (He was a pretty proud little boy!)
Mia is a natural climber with no fear so she had a ball. Up, down, all around.
Hannah had done this once before, sort of.
She'd come to a climbing place with a birthday party group and found herself paralyzed with fear.
This time she was determined to give it an honest go.
During the safety video I noticed she was shaking so I offered her my jacket.
"It's OK," she said, "I'm not cold, just worried."
We progressed and everyone got hooked up to a line and off we went.
Bravely, she started up a wall.
Next thing we knew, she was grinning at us from the top.
She climbed the walls, the ropes and the towers.
She hung from all kinds of contraptions.
She never complained or cried or asked to quit.
I think we have successfully created a monster. (Funtopia is expensive!)
Oh well, that's what grandparents are for, right?

A week with the kiddos

Staying with the kiddos while mom and dad vacation in Maui hasn't been a problem.

Cael holding still as Capt. Kirk

I somehow raised six children so I know the basics.
But what's interesting to me is that no matter how well I've planned or prepared, there are mini-disasters that test my ability to come through like a super grandma.
I really prepared.
I made menus, froze a couple of meals ahead, laid in extra supplies of cookies and snacks.
I outlined a sleeping plan with each child to his or her own room.
I made a flow chart that read a little like a train schedule...school at 8 for Hannah, kindergarten at noon for Mia, ACT class on Wednesday, dance on Monday.
I had my writing work all caught up and freed myself from a variety of tasks.
I planned a few outings and adventures.
And we were mostly good...
- except for the day we went to buy Bundt cakes for teacher appreciation day. The store ran out of samples before Cael got one so we had to wait around in the front where there were all kinds of glass dishes and display items. When Cael finally got his chocolate chip cake sample, he dropped it on the floor. He picked up what he could before I could stop him and took a bite. "Yucky!" he said and threw it back down.
- except when we discovered the girls needed to dress like superheroes on Thursday and here I was without access to a fabric store and a good idea. I dug through my costumes. I had an ancient Princess Leia costume that would fit Mia but nothing for Hannah. "That's OK," she said, "You could just make me a cape or something." (We came up with her big sister's Red Riding Hood cape and some nerdy glasses so she could pretend to be Supergirl's everyday persona..) The disaster came after we had Mia's hair in Princess Leia buns and tried on the costume. The pants were 5 inches too long...Emergency stitching!)
- except for the day I heard some anxious cries..."Gramma! We can't get out! Gramma!" The doorknob to Cael's bedroom was slipping around and not engaging. We had to do the screwdriver operation for a day or so.
Nothing like peering through the doorknob holes and making eye contact with a 3-year-old who wants you to get him out.
- The best part, however, was when we were trying to watch "Supergirl" so Hannah could see what Kara looks like. It was way more violent than we all expected so I asked the girls if we should turn it off.
"That's OK, gramma," said Mia. "We can just say a lot of prayers!"