One on One Fun

Today my youngest grandson and I headed out after school for some one on one fun. Brandon, his older brother, was in Toronto with his Dad at the Ontario Science Center. (A story for another day.) Mom was at work and there was just the two of us. Jordan and I don't often get the opportunity for some one on one, so we were both looking forward to it.

This morning at 7:30 am, Jordan phoned and asked me if he could stay home from school because he had a stomach ache. This has happened a couple times in the past. I asked him what Mom said. He changed the subject. I asked him to talk to his Mom and she said she'd already told him he had to go to school. Mmm! This sounds to me like he's working one against the other. He was foiled in his plan. He went to school.

I volunteer for Jordan's class to help the kids that have difficulties keep up to the others. Today was the Volunteer Strawberry Social, which is an annual event. When I got to the school, Jordan asked me if I was going. I told him no, I'd rather spend the time with him. I then asked him what he'd like to do. He thought for a minute and said he wasn't sure. What would I like to do? I asked him if he'd like to go to the big historic park where there is a wading pool, playground equipment and trees that tower toward the sky and keep the entire park shady all day long. He was ecstatic!

We went and had the ice cream first because it was such a hot day. Then, we headed to the park. Jordan asked if he could play on the sprinkler pad. I asked him if he had a bathing suit. No! I asked him if he had a towel. No! Then I asked him how he would get home without getting Grandma's car seat all wet. He told me that he could always play on the equipment until he was dry. I told him sure, he could play on the sprinkler pad. He was delighted.

So, he played for a half hour with some girls on the sprinkler pad. Then he asked to go up the hill to the equipment. That's where we went. He played there a half hour and then asked if it was time to go home. I told him it was and we headed to the car.

When I unlocked the door for him, Jordan turned to me and said, "Grandma, I had a lot of fun with you today. Thanks for bringing me to the park and letting me play on the sprinkler pad."

Tears welled. What a beautiful thing for an 8 year old to say. I told him that I had enjoyed the day and having one on one fun with him. He laughed, pointed his finger at me and said, You rhymed.