Midwest Mary

The grandsons’ summer baseball season has ended, and my granddaughter’s theater camp is closing with 9 performances of the Little Mermaid Junior over two weekends. She has five costume changes in an hour program, so she is on stage most of the play. Of course, she’s outstanding, and is her nana’s favorite character.

With the culmination of their activities, I’m delighted to have had a couple of days with them. So, what do you do with two 13-year-olds and two 11-year-olds?

As growing kids are always hungry, I made plenty of food including homemade bread, chocolate chip pancakes and sausages, mashed potatoes, peas, and meatloaf, chicken noodle soup, sandwiches, fruit, and cookie bars.

We went for a long walk and watched a couple of movies. The weather was hot, humid, and stormy, so most of our time was indoors.

The four kids also hung out for a while, talking and playing on their own.

We spent a few hours painting pottery at a local shop.

Four of us selected smaller pieces–a s’mores jar with a lid, a shark, a tea light holder my grandson painted as a basketball net to hold small basketballs, and mine, a flower bowl.

One of my grandsons chose a large dog. We all ended up painting parts of that one because it takes time to paint at least three coats on the pottery. I think all of our pieces turned out well and will look even better after they are glazed and fired.

For a physical activity, we, including me, played four-square. The game is simple and fast-paced. It’s a common game, but if you don’t know or remember, four connecting squares are drawn on the driveway with chalk. The squares are either labeled A-D or 1-4.

A rubber playground ball is served across from the 1^st to 3^rd square and must bounce before hitting it underhanded to another square. This continues until the ball is out of bounds.

We also played a card game called 5 Second Rule. Each player draws a card with a question that must be answered with three responses. For example, a card may state, “Name three musicals.” The player has five seconds to respond. We simply went through the cards taking turns without keeping score.

What I loved most about the game was all the discussions that were prompted by the questions. My grandkids are intelligent and clever. Conversations with them have substance and offer me insight as to their thoughts and way of life.

I’m grateful to be blessed with beautiful, loving children and grandchildren, especially ones who live close enough for me to see often. I can’t imagine my life without them.  

©Mary K. Doyle, 2026