Goin’ To Grandma’s

Well, it was bound to happen- my little Ryan got a taste for spending the night at Grandma’s, and is no longer satisfied sleeping at home- he wants to spend the night at Grandma’s now-in his words, “I need to stay all night and all day at Grandma’s-Mom, Dad, and Baby Cole need to go home.”

He really wanted to spend the night on Wednesday night, but that didn’t work out for Grandma, so we decided on tonight, and since Wednesday, Ryan has been continually asking, “Is it Friday night?”  Today was the day, and at breakfast he told me, “I am going to spend the night with Grandma tonight.”  He just knew- then he proceeded to ask if his cousins were going to be there.  When I told him no, he got a BIG smile on his face- (sorry cousins).  I asked him if he got more attention from Grandma when he was there all by himself, and with another big grin he said, “Oh yeah!”  I guess he knows a good thing when he has it.  🙂

I insisted he take a nap before Grandma came to get him this afternoon.  He wants to sleep on the couch for his naps, and he doesn’t get up- surprisingly, he falls right asleep.  But today he couldn’t fall asleep- (I wonder why?)  He finally got up to use the potty and called me down for a wipe.  After we were done he said, “I am going to go sleep in my nest.”  I just said “ok,” because I wasn’t too sure what he was talking about.

He climbed back on the couch, and sat up, with his head leaning up against the couch,  and put blankets all around his feet and torso.  “I’m in my nest, Mommy, just like Big Bird.”  Ahh… He looked pretty uncomfortable, and I asked him if he wanted to lie down in his nest, and he told me no.  So I went back upstairs, and let him fall asleep in his nest. 

Finally, it was time to get up, and Grandma came.  She had a big surprise for Ryan, and he was just thrilled beyond words- here is a picture of it- (of course Cole had to get in on the action too)

Grandma bought Ryan his very own suitcase!  He kept telling us to hurry and pack him up.  Joe transferred his stuff from an Old Navy bag into his suitcase, and he was out the door, no looking back, like a world traveler. 

I couldn’t help but think one day he really will be out the door, not just for a night at Grandma’s, but for good.  It makes me sad to think about that now, and I hope when the time comes it will be easier to contemplate, but somehow I doubt it. 

When are we really ready to ever let our children out the door for good?  They can leave our house, into their own world, but I have a feeling their presence will never be gone, and I will not be able to wait until they “come back home,” for a visit, whether it is for a few hours, or a weekend, etc. 

I think that is one of the astonishing things about children- they change your lives so completely and inside out- and once they do, you can never imagine, nor do you want to, your life without them.  It is never the same again, and it is comforting to know that is how it is supposed to be.