Today was a beautiful day with a few sprinkles of rain every so often but that didn’t dampen the fun at my house. My little Patty day campers and I had another happy day full of fun and laughter. We ate cinnamon buns for breakfast on the porch. We played Scrabble, one of us had never played but caught on quickly and had the highest score when we quit to go to the movies. My niece carried us to the AMC theater in LaGrange and we saw the new Garfield movie. We met another niece and her children there and we all enjoyed the movie. We laughed during the movie and all the way home back to Roanoke. As my mama would say, “I had my tickle box turned over.”

Both my day camping girls had a hard time sneaking snacks in the movie theatre. I felt guilty making them do that but I could hardly pick up my purse it was so heavy with everyone else’s snacks. I know my niece was thinking no none would bother an old grandmother with a fat purse. I was afraid it would burst open as we got our drinks and spill all over the floor. My niece who met us there just blatantly walked in with a big beach bag full of snacks! Don’t know why I was worried!

I was thrilled to see an Icee machine. I am like a child with an Icee and I could not believe the movie theatre had an Icee machine with free refills and a popcorn bucket with free refills. My oldest son had to drag me away from the Icee aisle at Buc-ees once. I was hypnotized by all the flavors. Hours later and I’m still amazed you can get an Icee at the movies. I need to get out more! I had the Sprite Icee, no refills for me, and we all shared the popcorn bucket. Remember the 7-Eleven stores? They had the best Icees and the best candy. I’m going to make Shady Oaks install an Icee machine. Now I am feeling old!

I am so tired tonight but such a beautiful tiredness from a wonderful day with family. I hope my granddaughter and my nieces and their children remember me with laughter and joy like we shared today. Nothing is more fun than seeing the world through the eyes of a child as they experience life with all its wonders. The things they say…the things that make them laugh…the things they love to eat…the Scrabble words they try to pass off.

My granddaughter has always eaten whatever cheese I put on the table, even hoop cheese, but informed me on this visit she only eats American cheese…can’t even find that here except sliced for sandwiches. I didn’t even know you could buy a block of American cheese. The other girlie only eats Jack’s ranch on her chicken fingers. “I don’t like any ranch that comes in a bottle.” Got to love an honest person. And of course when they opened their chicken finger snacks from Jack’s at lunch, no ranch. She took it like a man and just ate without it. I was proud she persevered and didn’t got to the movies hungry and need a snack.

I would not change a thing about any of my girls. They are perfectly wonderful just like they are! And I love them the mostest!

“It’s funny what happens when you become a grandparent. You start to act all goofy and do things you never thought you’d do. It’s terrific.” — Mike Krzyzewsk