Grandpa's Visit

Madeline drawing with Grandpa

We were so happy when David's dad called us and told us that he wanted to come for a visit (from Indiana).  We were particularly happy since he last visited us at our house in April of 2011.  At that time we were still living in NY and I was pregnant with Jonathan.  David and I were excited to have his dad see what Minnesota is all about and also have him see our new home here. The kids were also excited to spend time with Grandpa.

Jonathan and Grandpa at the playground

David's dad flew into MSP on Thursday (4/25).  Grandpa being Grandpa, before his departure, he asked what he could bring the kids.  We told him that Madeline loves to draw and is always asking us for a blank piece of paper and Jonathan loves balls.  Sure enough, Grandpa did not come empty handed.  Jonathan was beyond thrilled to start tossing around his Mickey Mouse ball while Madeline immediately pulled out her markers and started digging right into her ream of white paper.  Since Grandpa's flight came in shortly before dinner, we decided to have a quiet dinner at home.  We enjoyed baked spaghetti, Caesar salad and garlic bread. As far as the "quiet evening" goes, I'm not sure if you can call it that with the kids circling around Grandpa.  Grandpa is such a good sport!  He was ready to go and played ball with Jonathan, took "drawing commands" from Madeline, played hide and seek and "I Spy" with the kids. 

After Madeline's "Silly Song" concert (That is why Madeline is dressed silly.)

On Friday morning (4/26), David was off to work and Madeline was off to school.  David's dad enjoys walking and so he was happy to accompany Jonathan and me on a walk to

David with his dad at the Minnesota Wild game

the playground down the street from us.  Grandpa was pretty amazed at how much of a climber Jonathan is already.  In the afternoon, Madeline's school had a music concert that was performed by the kindergarten and first graders.  It was a concert of silly songs (that is why Madeline is dressed silly - dyed hair and mismatched clothing).  Madeline was so happy that Grandpa was in town and was going to her school to see the concert.  In the evening, David had tickets to a Minnesota Wild game.  Going back to the early 90's when David's dad visited David, shortly after David moved to Buffalo, the two of them would go see a hockey game together.  Of course in the past the two of them went to see Buffalo Sabres game, however, this time it was nice that the hockey schedule worked out so that they could now share a game together in Minnesota too.

A beautiful day for the zoo!

Saturday (4/27) was a beautiful day, one of the first really warm days of the year.  We had nothing particular planned to "entertain"

The whole family squeezing on a scale together at the zoo

dad for the day.  We just went about our normal everyday activities, yet, I believe that Dad enjoyed just being part of

Although Madeline doesn't look impressed, the whole lot of us weigh as much as an adult bear

that.  In the morning I made breakfast for the gang.  Later in the day,  I took Madeline to a scheduled play date that she had with one of her school friends.  While I was with Madeline, David and his dad and Jonathan went to Target for some groceries and then later took Jonathan to the playground.  In the evening, David grilled out steaks for dinner.  After dinner, we sat around the table asking Grandpa questions about meeting Grandma as well as what he remembered about various events in history.  As an adult it was nice to be part of this conversation but it was especially nice to have Madeline at an age to be interested and ask questions as well.  In general, Saturday was a very laid back day, yet very enjoyable.

A fun family photo at the Minnesota Zoo

Sunday (4/28) after Mass we headed to the Minnesota Zoo.  We definitely gave Grandpa a work out on this outing but, as usual,

Dad with Mary Tyler Moore

he was a trooper.  After leaving the zoo, we did a quick drive-thru tour of Minneapolis (he was able to see St. Paul when he & David went to the hockey game).  Of course what must *every* tourist to Minneapolis do??? Yep, that's right, get a picture taken with the statue of Mary Tyler Moore.  After dragging Grandpa all over the zoo he wasn't about to do a walking tour of Minneapolis.  David and I informed David's dad that we were going to pull up to the curb and that he'd have to get out of the car for me to take a picture.  As I told him to pose with the statue, David's dad asked me, "What should I do"?  My response was, "I don't know.....hold her hand or steal her purse".  Looking at the picture, I am not sure which of those options he decided......maybe somewhere between the two options.

At the ER! Feeling better and ready to go home.

On Monday (4/29) we once again had nothing out of the ordinary planned.  The day, however,had other plans for us.  Shortly after lunch time I had received a call from Madeline's school because she was at the nurse's office.  Madeline was climbing on the top of the playground equipment at recess time.  She had fallen from the top of the playground and hit her head on another piece of playground equipment on her way down.  Madeline's eyes were crossed inward and she was seeing double.  Needless to say, this required a trip to the emergency room and a head CT scan.  Talk about a scary situation!!  Thankfully, the CT scan was normal and Madeline's eyes and vision returned back to normal by the time we left the hospital.  Talk about adding some excitement to Grandpa's visit!!  David had dinner squared away for us when Madeline and I got home.  We enjoyed shish kabobs from the grill, rice and salad.  Although the original plan was to watch Argo with David's dad once the kids went to bed, I think the day included too much excitement for Grandpa as the movie idea was nixed and an earlier bedtime was planned for all.

Putt Putt golf

On Tuesday (4/30) our plans for the evening were originally to head to the Mall of America for dinner and allow the kids to

Madeline's custom hat at Dick's Last Resort

ride a few rides.  As a result of Madeline's playground injury we needed to slightly alter the plans so that it did not include rides.  We decided to still head to the mall for dinner but prior to dinner we chose to play a round of putt putt golf. I think Grandpa was really enjoying the golf, however, Madeline was showing zero patience for the accuracy required in the game of golf and Jonathan was

Jonathan's custom hat at Dick's Last Resort

having no patience for the rules of the game.  To a bystander I am pretty sure that it appeared as though the kids were running circles around Grandpa and Papa as Mama chased each of the kids.  Despite the varying values of the rules of the game, I believe that everyone enjoyed themselves.  After golf we headed over to Dick's Last Resort for dinner.  If you are not familiar

Grandpa being amused by the wait staff

with the chain of Dick's Last Resort restaurants, they incorporate as degree of light-hearted rudeness into your dining experience.  Aside from me having a pile of napkins leaf blown into my face, the kids got a kick out of the silly hats that the server made for them, David and his dad found humor in the waiter's "off" comments and Madeline thought it was hysterical that the waiter told her it was time to leave and then dragged Madeline (while she was still sitting in her chair) to the entrance of the restaurant.  Not the usual dining experience for any of us....especially David's dad, however I believe that everyone still had a fun evening.

On Wednesday (5/1), just like that, in the blink of an eye, David's dad's visit was over and he was flying back to Indiana.  We really enjoyed our time together and the kids not only loved spending time with Grandpa but were also sad to see him leave.  It might be a couple months before we can head to Indiana for a visit but we are looking forward to spending time together again soon.