Grand-parenting at Christmas 101 (Guest Blog by Grandi)

Guest  Blog from Grandi ~~~~

Christmas came twice this year at the Magee home in Virginia Beach! First, when Patrick, Tricia and Anne Louise arrived on Christmas Day. They were surprised shortly after with the arrival of Kevin, Leslie and Harper whose trip to West Virginia was delayed by one day due to the heavy ice storm over the mountains. This was the best kind of Christmas imaginable with both of my granddaughters under my roof at the same time – along with their parents of course! The festivities included family (can’t forget to mention Great Aunt Judy and Great Cousin Amy and Great Granny Gay), dinner, presents, decorations, fun and don’t forget dessert.

Christmas came again this year when Anne Louise and I settled in for a fun-filled overnight while Mama and Daddy went to this big beautiful hotel at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for a 4 star dinner and a night to themselves. No diapers, bottles or cry-outs during the night. Whew! 

Of course the best little baby from Charlotte (I have to make the distinction since the other best baby I know lives in Virginia Beach) Anne Louise and I were very busy eating, playing and entertaining my best girlfriends, Kathleen on Saturday evening and Sue on Sunday morning. We played with all the toys, puzzles, musical boxes and the kitty cats. Anne Louise sat in her new portable high chair to eat all her finger food meals. Lots of turkey, peas, mashed potatoes and peaches. Of course there were little cheese bunnies and Kix cereal as well plus lots of sippie cups of her favorite (yucky smelling) formula. Nap and bedtime is a breeze since Anne Louise goes to sleep like lumberjack who has been cutting logs all day. She just lays down and puts her lovey over her face and falls right to sleep. At bedtime, she slept from 8:30 pm 'til 8:30 am without as much as a whimper. She was truly an overnight delight.

When Mama and Daddy returned from their overnight we had a little birthday celebration for Anne Louise with white almond petit-fours from our family favorite Plaza Bakery. After blowing out her candle (with help from Daddy) and giving the pink rosebud a taste, Anne Louise picked up the sweet confection and ate the entire piece and said ummmm! It was truly a Kodak (or Nikon) moment for sure.
Thanks for the memories of Christmas 2009 with all my adult children, their wives and their babies. It was a Showstopper!