September 4

The worst part about traveling with my children is that they never sleep in hotel rooms. It is awful. But Chris and I were pleasantly surprised last night! Eli slept in a little crib, Chris and I slept in a queen bed, and Caleb, Daisy, and Lily slept on a queen bed turned sideways. Eli slept through the night, like a champ.

The older three had some issues, but it was mostly ok.

But then they decided that 5:30 am was a great time to wake up, after going to bed at 9:30 last night. Boo.

We were picking Grandpa up for breakfast at 8, so we had two and a half hours to kill. We decided to check out sunrise over the lake. Sounds beautiful, right?

Unfortunately, it was overcast, windy, and chilly. Daisy forgot the cardigan I set out for her, I forgot Caleb's hoodie at home, and we were all woefully under-dressed. Boo.

We made use of my wraps as blankets, as well as a baby blanket from the hotel crib.

It was cold and windy, but the kids were still fascinated.

(Don't worry, Mom. Eli didn't fall in the lake. Chris watched him the whole time.)

Then we moved on to a playground. Apparently it had rained overnight, because the whole playground was really wet.

The kids didn't mind!

Soon it was nearly 8, so we headed back to the hotel to change into dry clothes and pack up our stuff. While Chris and I packed, the kids watched Spongebob Squarepants. 

High-quality television programming right there. The kids were transfixed. Look at how even Eli is staring at the screen!

Breakfast with Grandpa was wonderful, and then we went to visit Grandma in her nursing home. Thankfully, the common area right by Grandma's room was completely empty, so we had plenty of room for the kids to spread out and play.

Caleb and Daisy found one of their favorite games - Zingo - and it kept them pretty well occupied for quite a while.

Grandma recognized us, but couldn't come up with our names on her own. She fretted that she hadn't had her hair done in a while, but we reassured her that she was still lovely. Most of the time, she sat quietly and watched.

Grandpa was doting and attentive the whole time. They have been married almost 64 years, and have known each other for about 80 years. It is painfully beautiful to see how tenderly he cares for her.

Eli was the first kid to warm up to Grandma and Grandpa, and he played a toddler version of catch with Grandpa. It was pretty cute.

I really wanted a picture of the kids and me with Grandma and Grandpa. 

The kids felt differently.

Take 2, without Eli. Still a nope.

Take 3. It's not going to happen. 

Or at least, a perfectly posed photograph with all of my children smiling and looking at the camera isn't going to happen. But a real-life snapshot of my kids right now happened, and that's something.

Eventually, Grandma and Eli began playing catch together.

It was pretty sweet. He handed her the ball, and then she handed it back to him.

Then Eli showed Grandpa the kids meal toy he had earned with his cheeseburger last night.

Look at how Eli's little hands are clasped behind his back. He was waiting patiently for Grandpa to wind up his toy.

She's not the woman I remember, and that is sad. Dementia is cruel.

Daisy worked to draw a special picture to leave on Great-Grandma's bulletin board.

Eli was fascinated with Great-Grandpa's ruby ring.

Lily loved Great Grandma's wedding ring, and long fingernails that were painted pink.

Eli admired them, too!

Then he tried to show Great Grandma how to wind up his toy. I love his little hand resting on her knee! 

I snapped this picture of Grandpa smiling at Grandma, and when I opened it in my computer, I realize that he wasn't just holding her hand, he was playing with her wedding ring. 

I love that their love and devotion remains so strong, even in the midst of this. 

Before we left, Grandpa took Grandma for a quick walk up and down the hallway. Grandma hates walking, but needs to keep as active as possible. A trip up and down this hall is about all she can manage.

The kids and Grandma were both done after about two and a half hours, so we ended our visit and went back to Grandpa and Grandma's condo. 

Grandpa was excited to show the kids his "toys". 

Eli wanted desperately to play with the trucks. Poor kid.

Lily thought Grandpa's real truck was pretty cool. 

(Don't worry, Mom. It was parked, turned off, no key in the ignition. No Lilies were harmed in the making of this image.)

Grandpa made us what he called a "Bachelor's Lunch".

The kids approved.

They approved even more when he got out ice cream cones for them after lunch. 

This may have been the first time we allowed Eli to handle an ice cream cone on his own. It went about as well as can be expected.

Daisy thoroughly enjoyed her ice cream, too.

Then Eli was beyond ready for his nap, so Chris took the kids for another spin around the water park while I put Eli down on the floor of Grandma and Grandpa's guest room.

My wraps come in handy for so many things!

I emerged to find Grandpa enjoying an afternoon nap, too. Chris and the kids returned an hour or so later, and they were so happy with their adventure. Unfortunately, it was time for us to go. We hopped in the van and began the 8-hour drive home. It was a lot of driving for a very short visit, but in the end it was just about perfect. We made it home before midnight, and we were able to sleep in our own beds. Perfect.