Extended-Stay Company Tips & Character

     A wise motto says: People are more important than things... which segues to my evolved and proven motto: People sometimes add minor blemishes to things like my dining room table, and those blemishes add... CHARACTER (thanks, Sheri, for that liberating perspective). 

     My grandson's grimy finger prints are immortalized. His Christmas 2012 hand print is forever located on the lower portion of my master bathroom's full-length mirror. If Hollywood can have its Walk of Fame, so can I. His personal touch is charming and priceless.

     When 2 grown children visit at the same time, for consecutive nights, bringing 1 husband, 2 young grandchildren, and 2 dogs, my "character" philosophy is keenly tested. When possible, I attempt to be flexible with family and guests. They are out of their comfortable surroundings and, here and there, need little conveniences. 

     Here are a few easy and practical ideas we recently used for our younger-&-older, long-distance, extended-stay guests:

• Breakfasts: Ask, ahead of time, your company's eating preferences for breakfast: cereal, caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee, soda), and juice. For example, my brother preferred crockpot steel cut oat cereal, which made four mornings of breakfast a breeze (click for recipe): Crockpot steel-cut oats. Scrambled eggs and smoothies are also hardy, easy preps.
• Contain baby items: To keep grand baby
  
  items available yet contained in the kitchen (medicines, formula, etc.), pretty counter top storage is handy. We were able to easily move my daughter's "stuff" during busy food prep. This worked great for mega-multi-tasking Thanksgiving morning. 
• Washing baby bottles: For bottle
  
  items to be safely washed, purchase an inexpensive dishwasher container for straws, and bottle tops and nipples and a bottle scrubber. Keep them stored under the kitchen sink as helpful, year-round dishwasher tools.
• Sippy Cups save the home: Sippy cups are rug- and furniture-savers. A set is stored in my cupboards.
• Barrier Gates & Strategic Kitchen Cabinet Latches: These barriers protect curious toddlers and help adults to enjoy their time together. A stair gate, or a weighty ottoman, with a wood board wedged in front of it, for a stair barrier might save an ER visit.
• Pack-'n-play sleeping nursery: A folded Pack-'n-play stores easily in most closets. Be creative but safe with baby's sleeping quarters (we used our master bedroom's ample closet). (Disclaimer: Two of innumerable safety precautions: 1) make certain there is no possibility of items falling on baby from shelves above or reached by baby, AND 2) we carefully mounted my daughter's baby monitor for continuous safety and clear viewing...to repeat, use wise caution for precious bundles). I performed 3:00 a.m. bottle feedings 2 of the 4 nights. My daughter was able to easily monitor baby the other 2 nights from her sleeping quarters.
• White Noise: With lots of people comes lots of noise. Three tabletop air purifiers are in my home for sleeping babies and adults.
• Extra Bath Tissue: With extra people comes extra use of toilet paper. I store extra rolls in each bathroom.
• Visiting dogs: 

  

  Dremel Rotary Tool for dog's nails & crafting

  To protect our wood floors and furniture, I own a handy Dremel rotary tool. My son trims his dog's nails when he arrives (it's also great for small craft projects throughout the year). Our son brings a large crate for his two dogs to be contained in overnight. The dogs are crated in the utility room. (Disclaimer: Our wood floors do have character).
• Dogs, cont'd: 

  

  Four Paws pooper scoop

  We own a Four Paws brand pooper scoop for the backyard; and, because our backyard is not fenced-in, two stakes with tethers. The pooper scoop is an easy-to-use life-saver, helping to keep shoe bottoms clean post-backyard activity. And, after our company departs, a backyard trunk stores leashes & a few grandchild toys. For barking or other dog disruptions, the nearby Petsmart reasonably saved one of our family time experiences, providing peace-providing pet-sitting.
• Dining Flexibility: Our round dinette table's leaf is hidden under a nearby couch. It is super handy for retrieval or storage when expanding or compressing the table.



Ikea sugar dispenser

• Miscellaneous: 
• Ikea's inexpensive sugar dispenser is a hit for my son-in-law's Dunkin' Donuts Hazelnut coffee fixes. With a mere tilt, it dispenses 1/4 teaspoon of sugar; no measuring required. To see a helpful way to display tea bags and other kitchen ideas, simply click this link: Kitchen organization tips
• Cups are easily seen and available when they're hung on a mug tree. The pictured [Longaberger brand] tree sturdily holds a variety of stylish handled drinking cups and coffee mugs. 

  

  Longaberger Mug Tree

• Toy Battery Tips: Grandchildren = increased need for toy batteries. I own a battery tester. In a pinch, if a toy needs AA batteries but none are on-hand, AAA's can be used instead; and, C's can be used for D's. This link explains how: AAA batteries + aluminum foil = AA batteries

      In no way do we strive to be Martha Stewarts nor claim to be the ideal hostesses; but, thoughtful touches here and there are sanity savers, injury-preventives, and house savers. Planning adds peace during hectic times, and they are appreciated by guests as adults strive to temporarily mutually mix as a family.

C.l.a.s.h. of W.i.l.l.s

Mutual fun, or folly?

     What happens when three strong wills collide, with three opposing ideas, for mutual family activity? Add to the mix a sugar high from birthday cake and striving to weary the wired.

     The untrained eye dismisses or overlooks brief mutual moments; but, this writer rehearses a common 4th of July weekend activity. It is the perfect recipe for seizing mutual, especially during the merely imaginably dramatic (no Dramamine required), family game play event ... C.l.a.s.h. of  W.i.l.l.s.

     I hope the boys are old enough to enjoy the bean bag toss game. Could you get the game out of the car's trunk?

     JJ cooperatively heads to the car. Our 3.5-year-old speaks few words as he shadows. The trunk pops open, and a huge box is carefully maneuvered out of the back of the car. A young mind begins to whirl, What dat? He asks.

     It's a bean bag toss game, replies JJ.

     An "enervatively" resourceful mind quietly whirs:  It's as big as me! If it's for the yawd, it must be fun. I'm weddy for a climbing game!

     The box's rope handles allow for somewhat easy transport of a very klunky item. JJ carefully sets it onto the backyard driveway and pops open the hardware, splitting the box into two halves. He takes the first box, pulls down its legs, and situates it.

     WOW! It's a slide. I can't wait to get on it!!

     JJ lifts the second box and walks, meticulously counting aloud one, two, three... 30 feet. He stops, bends, and pulls two legs downward to set up a second structure. It looks just like the first.

     Whirrr, spins one active little mind: Hmmm. I'm wong. They awn't big enough to be slides, so no climbing. How can I play wit dese... wamps!?!

     Now JJ grabs a netted bag, Do you want to take the bean bags out? You toss them into the big holes.

     Ohh. Dat's what makes the wamps fun! Stand on one wamp and thwo a bag to the udder one, thinks a young mind. Hmmmm. That's a loooong way to thwo, but standing on the wamp will help!!

     You're not supposed to stand on the wooden box. You'll break it.

     DeDe and Nana arrive to the backyard, just as the clash of wills begins. DeDe adds to the mix a third clash and exclaims, Those boxes are way too far apart.

Note that wise Nana speaks not a word, observing how this Sumo wrestling match plays out.

     Professor JJ states: The boxes are supposed to be 30-feet apart.

     Out-of-the-box-thinker DeDe replies: Only an adult can throw a bean bag that far. Let's scoot them closer together. (DeDe eagerly heads for one of the boxes, excited for her family to finally play the pricey game).

     He'll break the box. It's too thin for standing.

     If he breaks it, we've had the game more than 5 years and used it only once or twice. I thought that even our 1-year-old could have fun dropping the bags into the holes and climbing on it. Just see what happens, and let's finally play this game.

     Our 3.5-year-old holds claim to the box-dubbed-ramp. He stands on it and throws one bean bag and then another. JJ stands at the opposing "ramp" (literally opposing, because their wills continue to clash)... JJ calmly holds his ground, determined to use the "natural consequence" approach, When I toss the bean bag, it's going to hit you if you don't get off.

     No.  JJ won't hurt me. I'm staying on this wamp!

     Thunk! JJ's bean bag harmlessly hits once, then again, right in the chest. Protective DeDe says, JJ!

     ...and thinks to herself, Noooo! Don't hit him!!! ♫Ain't no mountain high...; ain't no valley low...; ain't no river wide enough, to keep me from♫ .... rescuing our grandson (Diana Ross). But I'll not advertise, that at this moment, JJ and I are anything but in agreement.

     Instead, DeDe watches as a somewhat startled expression appears on our little guy's face. He flinches and wobbles a bit, but holds his quiet ground for another minute. Because ramps are for standing and playing. But maybe these aren't ramps after all. A few more harmless bean bag thunks finally change one determined little mindset.

• Our wee-verbal and sugar-high little guy, unfortunately, had mega-resourceful thinking-time between transport, game set-up, and game-time to create in his own mind an interesting way to play. The structures definitely resembled small climbing ramps. 
• Professor JJ and "outside-the-box" DeDe had their own clashing differences, and could have dramatically stomped away irritated with each other. 
• Three wills clashed but grasped mutual. Somehow, we ultimately, mutually and creatively, conquered dissenting views. Ten minutes of bean bag "toss it underhand" play was priceless. Even the toddling birthday boy worked up a sweat during the activity.
• At the onset of clashing wills regarding DeDe's game, wise Nana deferred, to mutually-minded observation rather than rescue mode.
• We all mutually worked to "LIKE" [one way or another] whatever activities our 4th of July weekend family times encountered.

The End

Sherlock Holmes: The Case of the Twizzled Hornet

     As we deal with an asthmatic and hacking 3-year-old on a struggling Sunday morning, I zone into my home church's live online sermon addressing the trials of life. When that providential message concludes, I decide to empty the dishwasher; whatever it takes to feel grounded and steady. I earnestly attempt to help my daughter control something, anything as we deal with a real-time life trial. This is meltdown morning and Day 13 of Dad's lengthy, back-to-back, out-of-state business trip. I arrived 16 days ago to lend a hand, and we look forward to Superdad's return home, 3 forever hours away.

Twizzled

     Mom deals with her son's stressful tantrum, pushing 5 minutes. She's learned that in this type of situation, spanking is ineffective and actually fuels the fire. Winter 2014's cabin fever is at its peak. His tantrum is illogical and somewhat Albuterol-enhanced. The life-saving prescription inhaler has a dark side. It heightens his intensity with uncontrollably shaking hands and repetitive nonsense.

     I prayerfully restock cups, plates, and utensils into their cabinet cubbyholes. Then, I open a booby-trapped cabinet door and CRASH! A large Corning ware lid falls onto the counter-top, shatters, and glass shards fly everywhere. My first thoughts are: No way! My desperate prayer is answered with more chaos? This is NOT what we need on an already crazy morning! And I've ruined my daughter's lid.

     To my surprise, the kitchen's sonic boom actually jolts our 3-year-old into sanity... he returns from battling the Land of Oz's Wicked Witch back to peaceful Kansas.

     My grandson's digestion is intolerant to certain foods and toxins, with milk, wheat and mold the worst offenders. Within minutes of drinking a glass of milk, his demeanor can change, for no logical reason and in an instant.

     I recall his adorably mischievous gaze reading sleep time's Curious George and 5 Little Monkeys books. Those eyes and his sweet "DeDe" melt my heart, even in the midst of Chicagoland's chilling and snowy Polar Vortex. In a sudden moment this Sunday morning, those same eyes glaze over, combined with a penetrating, relentless, twizzling (circular), perseverating (repetitive) mantra that dizzies his Mom's sanity. We ask: Is there a food or toxin fueling his inordinate and illogical mindset?

     A few weeks ago, those cues are what prompted my alert daughter to believe that we are dealing with one determined little boy unwittingly laced with hi-jacked food intolerance. It will take trial-and-error and a patient, courageous Mom and supportive Dad to manage their precious little one's diet. Little by little, my daughter will study more books and cook homemade sprouted wheat pancakes; she will buy almond milk and almond yogurt; she will use the snow method to sterilize area rugs and wipe down questionable window sills; she will blend healthful smoothies with hidden cinnamon-flavored fermented Cod Liver Oil. It is a complicated Sherlock Holmes mystery that I dub: "The Case of the Twizzled Hornet."

     Worthwhile endeavors and challenges can strengthen us. It is extremely difficult to see "good" in the midst of trying dramas, and especially this one. To a minuscule degree, I compare it to the nightmare of breaking a Corning ware lid. We had an overwhelming, tornado with which to deal. We wiped counters, swept and vacuumed, and then meticulously hand-wiped the floors on our hands and knees. We kept our eyes peeled for residue (gratefully spotting a few missed nuggets and microscopic shards). Today, as I finally finalize unpacking and laundering, I'm shocked to discover a large glass shard in the pocket of the sweater I wore that morning (which I know I did not put there). Glass, indeed, flew to Oz and back.

     In retrospect, good did come from the sonic boom. It gave us critical incentive to thoroughly clean the kitchen floor's nooks and crannies for newly-crawling little brother; and, big brother was instantly jolted back to reality. The day mellowed. Fortunately, the base for that lid had broken years ago. We tediously, and little by little, cleaned up a wild and dangerous kitchen. We patiently took possession of the situation AND ended up with this possibly fortuitous (unplanned and random) confessional for our M.D.I.M. (Mother.Daughter.Insanity.Memoir. a/k/a Missing.Dad.Insanely.Memoir.)

     Our Sherlock mystery continues, and one could never imagine the goings-on in young parent homes on Sunday mornings. The link below, to the vintage Phil Donahue Show, contains insightful footage of a young boy hijacked by food intolerances as well as key information. The outcome gives us hope as we believe in and love a very good God.

Vintage Phil Donahue Show Reveals Mysterious Food Reactions

The Sound of Music & Mutual

     An entertaining park walk, with valiant gaggling geese that either condone or condemn two angry, cockfighting gander. A high-pitched and shrill car alarm subsides the cackle commotion. And then there's the whip-whirl-twirl chirps of a cardinal. Depending on one's body-clock perspective, he provides either peaceful music or agitation to early morning hours. 

The booming birthday boy

     In our sleepy bedroom we recall Fourth of July sounds. Fireworks, the sneaky kind that shoot from the ground, with high-pitched whistles and scary bangs minus sparkle; hours of evening sonic booms and "Ladybug rockets," with unpredictable and scary trajectories. Fourth of July festivities brightly ignite the skies of the soul. Yet, there is a quiet, tucked-away place in the master bedroom, a strategic buffered cocoon, protected from hours of booming skies and quiet fireflies... for one sleeping birthday boy. 

     Pierced screams of the now fully-awake one-year-old, direly awaiting the grasp of close-range, brightly-colored, helium-filled birthday balloons. Impatient joy changes to synchronized tears of not just one, but two children. The Birthday Song is noisy calamity as helium balloons readily and gently hover, and then comes mutual, clasping glee.

     Scoooore! televised cheers fill the air. Thunk. a bean bag misses the circular hole. Soccer championships, backyard games, grill-time's sizzling meats, and mealtime chatter all convey the sound of music... and mutual.

     Mothers-in-law Mutual. Sharing children, grandchildren, laughter, and rare moments together. It is unnaturally... natural. Round, and round, and round sounds go partnered with distinct, meaningful memories.