Nana and Papa Time....

For those of you who don't know- my mom quit her job after Julia was born so that she could take care of her when I went back to work. In the weeks prior to Julia's birth, I think she thought this was only for a short period of time and that when Julia arrived my view of working would completely change. She was the first to point out however, after spending a lot of time with me during my maternity leave, that I *really* needed to go back to work.

And so Nana's daycare began... and then before too long, Papa was laid off from Honeywell and what was originally Nana's daycare became Nana and Papa's daycare. And then I was pregnant again (Nana pointed out quickly that we should have consulted the daycare providers before that happened, and I quickly pointed out that maybe we should have thought about it ourselves...) and the daycare expanded to include adults who were on bedrest. :) Once Colin arrived safely, Nana (by this point Papa had returned to work) was in charge of two little ones three days a week while the Momma went to work. And then I became a principal, and Nana was the primary caregiver 5 days a week... and this continued until two years ago.. when Julia was in first grade and Colin was in his final year of preschool and I brought the kids to Kyrene with me. Needless to say, this 'daycare' situation created a HUGE bond between my parents and my kids. Nana and Papa's house is truly my kiddos' second home- they are as comfortable there as they are anywhere (plus, the food is always better!)

During the past two years, Nana has graciously provided 'sick' care, and is always willing to help out on no school days and during summer vacation. My kiddos spent the last two weeks since school got out hanging out with their Nana (and their Papa when he wasn't at work) just enjoying the beginning of their summer vacation. They will spend the last two weeks of their vacation there as well- seems to be the perfect way to start and end their summer.

Nana and Papa ended their two weeks with the kids with a trip to Woods Canyon Lake in the RV. They all took off on Friday morning to head up to the cooler weather- then Daddy and I joined them on Saturday. The kids had a FABULOUS time... there were tons of crayfish (crawdads, crawfish) in the lake- and Julia took quite a liking to fishing for the darn things. Papa taught her all about how to catch them, and even created a jug to keep them in. Nana kept everybody going with good food and fun times. We all got to spend a nice couple of days hanging out, playing games, eating good food and relaxing. It is so great to watch my kids around my mom and dad. To see the relationships they are building- to see the love and affection that they all have for each other. To see how all of those things are growing and changing as my kids get older and more mature.

Julia fishing for crawdads with Papa fishing in the background.

Putting the crawdad into the 'crawdad' jug.

And everybody camps in an RV where you can watch a movie at the end of the night- right?

Sometimes I feel really guilty about being a working mom- I feel like I failed my kids by not being there every day with them. And then I look at the relationship that my kids have with their Nana and Papa and I wonder if that relationship would be the same, be as deep, be as connected as it is if they hadn't been such an integral part of their daily lives from the very beginning. Maybe it would be. (I know my kids are also very close to Joe's mom- and she wasn't their daily caregiver) Maybe it wouldn't. All I know is that whoever said it takes a village to raise a child was so right on the money. And my kids' village definately begins with their Nana and Papa.....

'Till next time..
C