I'm My Own Grandpa

We had a lovely time visiting some of our DC-area family members this past weekend. Saturday night we partied with the adults while Sunday morning was spent hanging with two of the kiddies.

Inexplicably, our two-year-old great-niece started calling my husband "Grandpa." He winced knowing full well that for at least the next 7-10 days I would also call him Grandpa at every opportune and inopportune moment. (He also knows that he would do the same to me had she called me Grandma.)

Her real Grandpa-- my husband's brother-- passed away before she was born. Perhaps she has seen pictures of him and picked up on the family resemblance? Since Grandpas are always more exciting than great-uncles, I think he should encourage the kid. All he has to do is give her a dollar every now and then and he'll reach legendary status.

We brought her two hideous costumes that we found in the trunk of our rental car. One was a ladybug and the other was a princess pumpkin fairy-type outfit. She loved them. Costumes, by the way, are perfect gifts for humans under the age of five. My husband-- I mean, "Grandpa"-- suggested that we buy a bunch on sale this year after Halloween and save them for my brother's toy drive in December. He is one smart Grandpa.

We didn't return the costumes to the rental car agency because there was other trash in the car so we just assumed they were no longer wanted. As a practical joke, I wanted to purchase two different costumes and turn them in on the off chance that the previous renters showed up looking for their loot. But what good is a practical joke if you can't see the reaction?

Our five-year-old great-nephew is doing well. He can walk a few steps on his own and, even though he still doesn't speak, he lets his feelings be known. He is so cute. That boy is adored by many.

If Sarah Palin does become our next Vice-President, I hope she follows through with her promise to be an advocate for families of Special Needs children. These folks really do need our assistance, both private and public. What is simple for the rest of us is simply not simple for them.