Grandparent Privilege

 So every generation thinks the way the one following it raises their kids is nuts. No exception here. As late Boomers, Wifey and I were pretty helicoptering, but we gave the Ds plenty of down time -- other than school, they had a few planned activities, but that was it.

Of course, when I was a kid, there was Little League. Just Little League. And much of what I learned about life came from just hanging out with friends -- making our own fun. Some was dangerous, like the period we experimented with explosives in our teen years -- luckily the only lasting harm was some permanent hearing loss my friend Eric has from a too close exploding firecracker -- but generally we got through unscathed.

D1 is very different -- she thinks the boys need CONSTANT activities -- sports, lego building, etc...

When she leaves Little Man with us, she is sure to tell me all of the things going on in Pinecrest. This weekend there was a car show, for example. Wifey and I nod, kindly, but already know the itinerary for Little Man will be a LOT of doing nothing. And he loves it.

Yesterday she brought both boys, and they played and rough housed, as boys will. We tried to get them to watch "The Little Mermaid," a favorite of the Ds in their childhoods, but after an hour, Little Man wanted to switch to "Sponge Bob" -- sort of nice, mindless content.

D1 left with Baby Man for a party near Dadeland, and Little Man, Wifey, and I settled in for a quiet evening -- his beloved IPad, some drawing, and an epic bath in our comically huge tub, which he loves. We listen to him fantasizing about being a pirate on the high seas. Ah, kindergarten.

After, some bed time snuggling, some more IPad, and then his eyes grew heavy. I took him to his futon bed, and told him a Nightbird story -- always about the heroic bird who flies around rescuing children and animals. "Grandpa Dave -- that was a short one," and we agreed I would tell him the tale of his Mommy's birth. By the time I got to Wifey's labor, he was out.

This am, we decided on another trip to Roasters for pancakes, instead of the traditional BAFL (bagels at first light). He suggested we invite "our friends from last time" -- Chris and Mike. I did -- and this time Mike and Loni showed up -- Teddy the toddler in tow -- his parents in Naples at the brand new Four Seasons for a weekend.

We had a lovely time -- Teddy fascinated by the older boy. It occurred to me that the boys were 3rd and 4th generation Canes -- assuming they attend. 

We came home, and Little Man began building his new Lego blocks -- Wifey bought him some new ones. Wifey came down, and enjoyed her Language of Love matzah brie and bialy, and is now hanging with our beloved grandson.

I have to leave in an hour to re-home him and Lemon, the skittish Spaniel who also spent the night. There is, of course, an activity planned -- some animal show in Aventura.

I plan to have lunch with D2 and Jonathan, and kill some time before leaving for Broward and The Guess Who with some friends -- trip still too long for Wifey and her bad back and hip.

So another chill time with Little Man -- we love and adore him and his brother so. I always make the same promise to D1 --  I will do my level best to return him in one piece. As for activities? Nah -- that ain't grandparent duty, at least for Wifey and me.