Heart Healthy

In July I was able to enjoy sixteen days visiting family in Utah and fortifying my heart health.  I started off the first eight days by immersing myself into Dmitri’s world.  Dima has been blessed with a happy and easygoing personality which is nurtured in a home of love and structure.  Now his world has expanded to include a new little sister named Blythe Mariana Kauffman or Bebe who was born June 18, 2012.  Blythe is darling and I soaked in her sweet spirit as I held her.  I look forward to getting to know her better in the years to come.  Dima’s world also includes lots of imagination.  We had fun playing with bubbles, sidewalk chalk, water pistols, and table time.  Dima is a delight to be around.  I loved playing with Dima. It was definitely good for my heart.  

Dima loves Thomas the Train so when I found this little Thomas the Train whistle bubble maker, I thought he would like it.  Once he figured out how to blow the bubbles without getting the soap on his lips, it was a hit.  He just wished the wheels would go around too.

For the first few days Dima liked to squirt me with his water pistol but would not let me squirt him.  On Saturday, July 14^th, we had our break through.  With a gleam in his eye he squirted me.  I took my stance and gave him my look as I said once again, “If you squirt me, I can squirt you.” And I squirted him.  The seconds seemed to slow down as we looked at each other and I waited to see what he would do.  Finally, he let out a big giggle . . .  the water fun had begun! Laughing with Dmitri was good for my heart.

For supervised "table time" I put together a Lightning McQueen soft-sided lunch pail container equipped with scissors, staple, jumbo paper clips, clue, construction paper, crayons.  I loved watching Dima intently practice his fine motor skills with the scissors and stapler. We also painted with water on the patio and drew with sidewalk chalk.  Combining the two was fun but was a little concerning to me when I realized coloring in the same spot day after day was leaving a color residue on the cement that I needed to get off before I left the Top's home.  (Did you know you can Google how to get sidewalk chalk off of cement?)

 

It is always good for my heart to share my grandmahood with my mother, Louise Simmons.  She wants her great grandchildren to remember her and always enjoys being invited to family events. 

 

On Sunday evening, July 22^nd, we had dinner and FHE  with all my family members who were in Utah.  It was an enjoyable evening being all together.  As Don and Janey were getting the children into the car, I went up to Dima to say good-bye.  He looked at me and said, “Come with me Grandma.  Come with me.” My heart melted.  I wanted to jump in the car with him.  Definitely, good for my heart.    

After I finished helping Don and Janey with Bebe and Dmitri I continued to strengthen my heart by spending time with the Hill family.  Now one might wonder if going from spending my time with a 2-½ year old where I had time to myself during his morning quiet time, and afternoon naps as well as having my own quiet bedroom and bath (We were using Brent and Wendy Top’s home while they were gone.) to sharing a bedroom in a very active, boisterous home with an average summertime bedtime for the children of 10:00 pm could possibly be good for my heart.  But, in a completely different way, it was.  My grandmahood skills were being sharpened on many levels of personalities and ages. I relished the challenge.  While traveling to Utah I had decided my main activity with the Hill grandchildren would be to construct a service project we could enjoy doing together.  I decided it should be something for their parents.

On Thursday morning I reviewed with the girls what activities we had done in April and what each of the four activities had been designed to do.  (Coming out better then when we went in, having a plan and following it, using money wisely, and what’s in a name.)  I then told them it was time to use some of the things we had learned before and concoct a plan to do some service; to put on a special dinner for their parents. 

Makenzie was a natural as our ambiance coordinator and Cassidy the cuisine coordinator with Kylie, Cade, and I assisting in all areas.  They decided to name their restaurant, “Stuffy’s Love Handle” a Fine Dining Restaurant.  We decorated with the children’s stuffed animals, hearts they drew and cut out, and four blow up plastic guitars.  (Stuffy’s was for the stuffed animals and “Love Handle” for the guitars on some show the girls knew about where a band with electric guitars was called, “Love Handle”).  We set up a table for two in the living room and closed off the openings to the kitchen with pieces of fabric. Makenzie had the computer set up to play soft music and a restaurant sign was hanging on the front door.  Cade (3 ½ and Kylie (5) were tutored on how to welcome and seat our guests; Mr. and Mrs. Hill.

Cassidy and I had prepared a menu with the Friday night special written in a special code and they could order all or just part. Cassidy had decided on chips and salsa for an appetizer with the main course being fried chicken and gravy over rice, served with fresh corn on the cob, a fruit salad, and a roll.  It was so fun to see and hear the excitement in the children as they looked out the front window and waited for their parents to pull up. Kylie took on the name of Sofia and was a natural at staying in character as the hostess for Stuffy's Love Handle Restuarant. 

Although the children and I were eating at the kitchen table they kept finding reasons to go back into the restaurant and serve our guests.  By the end Cade forsook all propriety and took his dinner plate into the restaurant and sat on Mr. Hill’s lap! 

Before dessert we invited our guests to go on a bike ride while we cleaned up the restaurant.  When they returned, Cassidy served her heart shaped brownies Ala mode with chocolate syrup, whip cream, and a fresh garden raspberry on top.  

It was a very fun activity to plan and carry out.  I hope it helps the children think about the endless possibilities of service and the joy it brings our hearts when we serve others.  This was heart health for me.

Now let me say that being invited to spend time with Dallin and Whitlie and Taylor and Kate in their homes respectively was also good for my heart health.  I loved being invited to dinner and spending time talking.  Kate and Taylor also hosted a lively July 24th celebration complete with a water fight and a BBQ.  When I see my children making an effort to connect with their nieces and nephews, my heart grows stronger.

I was able to finish off my trip and heart health workout with a visit with the Bangerter family.  They had set aside a whole day of their Utah visit to spend with me.  We went up and visited with Great Grandma Simmons in Layton.  Later,  Alina proved herself a delightful tour guide at the Tracey Aviary as she found the way to the flamingo birds. We finished up our Liberty Park experience with a few amusement rides and play in the water canyons of Utah.  

Leaving is always hard, but I love returning to NYC when I know who is waiting for me. He is the very best for my heart health.  Thank you for 37 years of growing together.  I love you Stan!