A Morning With Children

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Story ID:	3914
Written by:	Betty (BJ) Roan
Story type:	Diary/Journal Entry
Location:	Toledo IL USA
Year:	2008
Person:	The Grands

Six thirty a.m. Time for coffee and a little quiet before my four grandchildren wake up and the chaos begins. I poured a cup of coffee and sat down to watch the news. That’s when I heard the first sounds. Isaac was complaining about not wanting to sleep on that side, while Lauren, his big sister, was telling him to scoot over. I picked up my coffee and took it back to the kitchen. Opening the door, I found two kids on the verge of a knock down drag out. Fortunately, I arrived before the first fist flew. Their mean looks immediately turned angelic as they bid me good morning. I smiled and said good morning in return.

“Are you ready to get up,” I asked.

Without bothering to reply, they practically mowed me down in the hallway. It was too early for breakfast, so they sat down to draw. I took a quick gulp of coffee.

Before I could take a second sip, I heard a cute baby-like voice coming from the other bedroom. Two-year-old Luke was awake, which meant his rambunctious older brother, Adam, would be also. I opened their door. Their short little legs were a blur as they sped past, on their way to see what Lauren and Isaac were up to.

Adam decided to draw, Luke wanted food.

“I’m hungry Grandma.”

“You are?”

“I want spaghetti.”

“Spaghetti?”

“I want spaghetti, Grandma.”

“Spaghetti is for dinner,” I said. “How about cereal?”

Luke nodded his cute little head.

“I want cereal,” said Adam.

“Me too,” Lauren and Isaac chimed in.

I fed and watered the crew, helped brush their teeth, and stuffed Luke’s feet into a pair of tiny socks. Once they were occupied with drawing, watching Sesame Street, and playing with cars, I tidied the kitchen. With only a minute or two remaining before one of them would require assistance with something, I picked up my long-forgotten cup of coffee and took a sip. It was cold. I glanced toward the cause, all playing quietly in the living room, and smiled.

These grandchildren of mine would soon be moving closer, just over two hours away. I would get to babysit more often. My smile disappeared, replaced by a huge grin.

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