Beech Tree News Network

One Wednesday morning, Garey loaded our granddaughter, Sabria, into his truck and was about to pull down the driveway on the way to McDonald’s, when I heard him come back into the house and start rummaging through Sabria’s bath toys.  He opened the door to the room where I was reading and asked, “Is this Sleeping Beauty?”  The doll he was holding was, in fact, not Sleeping Beauty, but Pink Princess.  I helped him find the right doll then listened at the back door as Sabria praised her grandfather for finding her Disney favorite.
    There are so many little things that make up a toddler’s world.  I remembered that as I planned to go out of town for a few days last week.  Our daughter, Natalie’s, job in Nashville means she leaves early and gets home late.  I worried about leaving the unassisted care of our granddaughter in Garey’s hands.  It’s not that he’s incapable—he does a lot for and with Sabria—but you’ve read what the Bible says about the little foxes spoiling the vine, and you’ve heard how the Devil sticks his nose in the details; so I set about compiling two lists in order to smooth the way for the two of them.
    The first was a list of things to remember.  The list went something like this:
•    One tsp pink antibiotic twice per day
•    Use Benadryl at night, Children’s Allegra in the morning
•    Her clothes are in a laundry basket in the utility room (for easy access)
•    The backpack with stars contains extra clothes for Gaye Gaye’s
•    Remember to pick her up from Gaye Gaye’s by 5, and don’t forget her cup
•    The Frozen bag contains her clothes for her weekend with her dad
•    Don’t forget to pack her antibiotic—she still has a few days left on it
•    Don’t forget her Halloween costume—it’s hanging in the dining room
•    Make sure she takes her pink princess tennis shoes to play in
The second was a list of Sabria speak.  It went something like this:
•    Chili means spaghetti and meatballs in a can—don’t forget the crackers
•    Pasta Hiccups are actually Pasta Pickups—in the cabinet over the microwave
•    “I want to work on my business” means the small tray at the back of the junk drawer containing things she likes to tinker with
•    Aggie crackers are Sea Salt & Olive Oil Crackers on the snack table
•    That purple thing with the elephant is the mesh clothes hamper, usually in her mom’s room—she likes to pretend she’s a puppy and the hamper is her house
•    Strawberry, watermelon and blue candy are flavors of Airheads on snack table
That was all I could remember or thought imperative.  Honestly, all of the issues except the antibiotic could be skirted and they would both survive.  It just wouldn’t be as easy.
    I’ve always heard it takes a village to raise a child, or at least a guy with a detailed list.