Kenzie and Livi, two of my granddaughters, have been with Melissa and me in Richmond for almost a week.
We call this visit Camp Ooga Booga and our “campers” and their “counselors” have all had a ball! From a couple of great days canoeing and swimming on the James River to fireworks on Brown’s Island, we have had non-stop fun together.
Have I said how much we love these girls?
Kenzie and Livi have also learned a lot about about being great caregivers for their great grandmother, my mom, Helen.
Here are the five things they have learned and practiced:
- Talk s…l…o…w and one at a time.
- Look directly at Helen, get close to her and say your name every time.
- Play with Helen a lot.
- Give Helen lots of love.
- Stick with Helen.
The girls have memorized their lessons and have practiced with mom every chance they can get. It has really been fun to watch them in action and see how mom responds. It has been a positive experience for the “campers” as well as for their great grandmother.
That is with one exception.
Kenzie and Livi called a special secret Ooga Booga meeting with Melissa and me to complain that mom doesn’t follow the rules. “Helen doesn’t like to share her puzzles, baby doll and other things she plays with.”
When the girls try to play with them, mom grabs them back, holds them close to her and says, “That’s mine, you can’t have it!”
“Yeah, and she takes our toys, too,” Kenzie adds.
There was heavy duty tension in the air at Camp Oooga Booga!
I asked them what they thought they should do.
They both answered, “Nothing! Nothing we try works,” they said.
Kenzie added, “Helen is bigger than us!”
Then Livi had an idea.
“I know … we should do … Kung Fu!”
Kung Fu?! I didn’t have the heart to tell the Karate Kids that mom is pretty fast on her feet for a 91 year old, but hey, why not give it a shot.
Mom does need to relearn how to share.
My 91 Year Old Mom 