PawPaw World

There is definitely an evolution going on inside of my humble casa, adjustments are underway on an ever changing expansion project that is not only renovating my living space, but my living spirit as well. Whereas I used to try to maintain a certain look to my home, nowadays I have loosened my grip on keeping up appearances and now I defer to a personal consulting firm to inspire the design.

A year and a half ago, my younger daughter introduced me to the first consultant when she had a handsome baby boy. When I first looked at him in the hospital I was spellbound and a soul healing bliss began to build within. Then, at the beginning of this year, add the miracle that my older daughter brought into the world by having an exceptionally beautiful baby girl, or aka: the second consultant.

So, with the arrival of the two offspring of my two offspring, I have been transforming my living room into a no rules, no worries amusement park. Of course, because there is only a finite amount of square footage here, sacrifices have to be made. I am down to a loveseat, couch and a small glass coffee table. Those three items are nervous as they know that Goodwill is just one speed dial number away.

On one wall sits a kid sized teepee that houses various noise making toys, some that squeak and squeal, some that chatter and sing about elbows, knees and toes, or recite the numbers one through ten in singsong verses that replay over and over, however many times grandboy pushes the button. Family and friends have donated to the play park so scattered throughout the living space are varies sized apparatuses that blink more lights than Times Square at midnight. Of course each one of these vocalizes some sort of teaching message (usually when I am half asleep, walking to the kitchen at night; talk about spooky!). Now, grandgirl is just beginning to crawl, but I bet that it won’t be long before she is right in the middle of all the action and singing and dancing to the electronic symphony that is flashing around her.

I have to admit that the toys and kid accessories of today are really attention-grabbing and it’s quite easy to get carried away with the purchasing before saying enough is enough. I find myself in a strange state of mind these days, no longer placing myself at the center of my thoughts, but instead putting my grandkids at the forefront. Recently, I went into CVS to buy some cold medicine and ended up forgetting the medicine when I saw a huge Mickey Mouse and a huge Minnie Mouse stuffed dolls, and just had to buy them because they were the only ones left on the shelf. It happens no matter where I go. A couple of weeks ago at a garage sale, I missed the opportunity for a customized beer cooler/foot massager just so I could snap up a crayon/magic marker drawing easel and a battery powered keyboard/microphone. And the funny thing is, I was just as happy with my score than if I had found a box full of rare baseball cards(which of course I would have bought, I mean hey, the grandkids will need something to put in the spokes of their bicycles, right?).

Even as I am writing this entry, I am burning up the internet looking at indoor princess playhouses and bouncy rocking horses. And of course the amusement park is starting to spill outdoors. No longer am I running down the best deal for a zero turn mower, but am now focused on swing sets…you know the ones that have a lookout tower, slides, monkey bars, a bridge, zip line, internet access, private macaroni chef…wow, see what I mean about getting carried away.

But, like I said, from the first time that I looked into my grandkids eyes, I knew that I was going all in for this incredible adventure. I don’t care if I end up having to sit on pillows, as long as the kids eyes grow wide with excitement when they run through the door. I hope that they find peace and comfort here and know that this is always their place. I want them to live the most fascinating lives and hopefully, someday, to realize that they themselves were my enchantment.

Welcome Calvin and Hadley…Welcome to PawPaw World!

UPDATE 2019 – Make room for one more, come join the fun Cooper…we got a lot of rompin’ n stompin’ to get you caught up on!

Take Care.