The Things Boys Do

A couple of weeks ago Kristy and I were talking via Skype on my birthday. Kimball was running around naked and Thomas was wrapped in a towel because they had just gotten out of the tub. Kristy pulled Kimball onto her lap so he could wish me a happy birthday. His bright smile beamed through the internet like lightning as he saw me and said, "Grandma!!" That exclamation is one of my favorite things to hear. I made her kiss and tickle his chubby belly for me. Kristy said, "Kimball, say Hap-py. . . . . " Kimball then smiled and said, "Hap-py . . . . . " Kristy then prompted him again, "Birth-day!" Just at that moment Kimball got slightly distracted by a certain body part and said, "Penis!" without missing a beat. Not many grandmas get wished a "Happy Penis" on their birthday. Those are the things boys do.

Grandsons

Okay, so I have to brag for this post. I hope you will indulge me just a little. It was so good to be with my grandsons for a few days right after Christmas. It was the reward I received for flying for 34 hours to get to Utah for my dad's funeral.

Thomas is the brightest three year old I've ever met - since his mom that is. The first day we were together, while Thomas was munching on his breakfast, I asked him what he wanted to do with me while he was in Utah. I thought he would tell me he wanted to play in the snow, read, go to the library (one of his favorite activities), or play cars. With a mouth full of Cheerios he simply said, "I want to have a conversation." So of course I obliged and we started talking about whatever was on his mind. I can't remember what it was, but I could tell that is truly what he wanted to do with me. A few days later he told someone else (maybe Ben or Mary?) that he wanted to have a "cold" conversation with them. So they proceeded to say cold words like brrrrr and snow, and freeeeeeezing, and frost. What a funny guy! We did get to play in the snow eventually, thanks to the Smiths who invited us all to their first annual Snowman Building Contest on New Year's Day. One morning when everyone in the house was fast asleep, Thomas paid me the ultimate compliment of yelling, "Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!" when he woke up instead of calling for his mom. It was one of the nicest wake-up calls I've ever gotten. If you get a chance to be around Thomas, make sure you ask him to tell you a joke. It is a great experience.

Then there is Kimball (Kimballicious). He is a baby full of joy and patience like no other baby I've met, at least not since his Uncle Ben. Feeding him breakfast was even fun. His big brown eyes are something new in our family - Jared brought in the beautiful brown eyes - and when Kimball looks at me, it seems like he is looking into my heart. He is just a baby, but there is a wisdom there that suggests an old soul. He is also a relaxed little guy and let me cuddle him and move his arms and legs all over the place. We had fun playing peek-a-boo and eating together. Kimball LOVES to eat and it shows in his delicious chub. He is already talking and says "Santa" really well, and when he saw Thomas riding with Mary's dad on the four-wheeler, Kimball was watching very closely and said, "WEEEEEEEEEE!"



Grandsons are so much fun. This summer I get to watch them for a week while Kristy and Jared go to Hawaii. I am already counting the days!

Kimball

We have a new grandson and he is wonderful! He was born the day before Brett's birthday, which is appropriate because his name is Kimball Brett. What a lucky grandpa to have a grandson named after him! As you can see he is so beautiful. He looks almost identical to his mom when she was a baby. He is bright-eyed just like Kristy was and yet pretty mellow and calm at times, more like his Grandpa Brett and Uncle Ben. He even has a tinge of red to his hair like his mom did. It was so monumental to sit and hold Kimball when he was just three hours old. It was so good to be with Thomas and see his transition to becoming a big brother. Thanks to my sweet husband for insisting that I get on a plane at the last minute, even if I didn't make it in time to see the birth. And thanks to Tom and Adrienne for the shuttle service from the airport. Three of the excited grandparents swept into the hospital together. It was quite an entourage. Thanks to Kristy and Jared, the amazing parents who brought these two sweet boys to our family. I am so grateful for a growing family. A family to love is a treasure and I have the greatest treasures a woman could have.