SC Fun!

Shane skipped town to visit the SC branch of the family at the start of the month. 

He was supposed to come home last weekend when Nana and Pop visited Jama and Matt. But there was a winter storm and Matt's kids caught colds (and we're in the COVID era).

Shane got an extra week down south and probably wants to move there permanently. 

The first check-in I got from Nana came several days after they picked him up (2/5). Shane had the day off from school due to snow storm he wasn't even in. He volunteered to help pick up Tenly from PreSchool and helped "babysit" through the day while Ka and Stu got a date night in.

From Nana: 

 "The girls, Shane and I have been inventing different ways to walk (in the house) and are quite creative. After school,Cole just wanted to play on electronics but Shane has energy to spare. Especially since he didn't do any school today (except 30 minutes of Japanese), because our cleaning lady was here this morning and Pop put Shane's computer and stuff away so she could clean. We'll check SeeSaw tomorrow after Cole goes home and put him to work.

Cole, Shane, Evie, Pop, Indy and I went for a walk this afternoon and the kids each took a little paper bathroom cup (Dixie) of frozen peas to give to the wildlife around the ponds. Then we came back and they ate Gogo Squeez fruit and veggie pouches. After that, the girls and Shane built various towers with mini-cereal boxes, while Cole went back to playing on the Switch. Pop took some pictures to send you."

Shane really loves being around everyone. I always hear reports of how he's good with all the kids and even goes to hang out with Aunt Dot and Indy!

He's loved right back.

So you can imagine the kids spent a lot of time together.

This trip, Kathleen bought a hoverboard.

Nana posted videos of Shane and Cole spinning in circles (Probably trying to see how dizzy they could get!).

The boys were still on it during some sort of pillow fort pandemonium involving the whole crew.

I can't hear them screaming from the picture, but I can hear it. There's no other way it went down!

How could Shane not go bonkers with all the crazy nuttiness that I grew up with? 

Look at those faces? Do they look sad?

Nana asked me if I'd be okay when they decided to keep Shane an extra week. She didn't want me to be depressed. The truth is, I was a little down about the decision for him to stay. I got over it quick, because it wasn't about me. The opportunity for Shane to be with my family for longer was the best thing for him. It gave him tons of interaction and fun and love while there was work, transporting horses, and Carrie's surgery.

I love my son, but I don't have the time or the energy left to sit around and watch lots of hamster obstacle course videos and feign interest.

Nana's a pro and she enjoys doing it! I would have believed her even if she hadn't sent me picture evidence.

 She might have even learned a thing or two after fact-checking Shane!

Nana and Pop are excited to be around the kids and play. You can't buy that sort of child care (or if you can, it's way out of my price range!).

I loved hide and go seek as a kid. It's so much more fun when there are more people. 

One extra cousin is enough....and Pop can take pictures or tag in with Nana when she tires out!

There's definitely a need to tire the kids out. One night, I got a call from Nana that Shane voluntarily turned in at 8:30 PM.

It wasn't the same day she made him run laps, but you know that he's being active when he's in SC!

And if something goes wrong, I know I can trust Nana and Pop. They raised me and I survived.

Sure, they want to spoil their grandkids some (Can you say, Nintendo Switch?), but they're not the type to turn a blind eye to shenanigans. Shane shorted them some Japanese time he claimed he'd done over the week, but Nana's check of the weekly stats revealed the truth.

Nana and Pop addressed it with Shane. They won't be as tough as I would, but that's not their job either. Thankfully, Shane's shown to have a kind heart and cares about how well he relates to those around him. He's not perfect, but who is? Shane's the kind of kid I would trust to be a babysitter.

From all the phone calls, texts, and emails it sounds like everyone has enjoyed Shane's visit. I was a little worried Shane staying 3 weeks would overtax Nana and Pop, but they don't sound burned out and exhausted. They're normally laughing about something one of the kids has done! 

At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if Shane wanted to go to college and/or move to SC whenever he graduates from high school.