Bested by a 4 and 6-year old

A few months ago, I had three of my grandchildren staying at my house for a two nights while their parents went away. I have plenty of rooms and beds and hoped that I would have plenty of energy to take care of the three little girls, ranging in ages: two, four, and six.

 

Since I had a few children myself, nine to be exact, this should be pretty easy for me. I had stocked up on the foods that they like and I had a few treats as well. For Saturday morning, I planned on bacon and pancakes for breakfast. While watching videos, I planned on popcorn and juice.  I also bought new coloring books, crayons, a board game, and the Dance videos for the Wii game. Everything was in order, everything but the weather. It turned out to be a rainy and cold day and that sabotaged filling up the wading pool and having the girls play outdoors.

 

When I needed to open the girls’ suitcase, I realized that it was an one of those old-fashioned suitcases with snaps. I needed their clothes and toothbrushes, but the more I tried to press the snaps, or slide them, or work the buttons - nothing happened. I decided to resort to a knife but decided I would wreck the suitcase. Looking at the clock, I still had plenty of time to call my son before he boarded his airplane.

 

I explained the problem and my son started to laugh, and said, “Mom, it’s old school. Just slide the buttons and you’re in.”

 

I went back and still couldn’t open the suitcase. But then my 6-year-old granddaughter stepped in and opened the suitcase. At first I stared at her in disbelief. But when my 6-year-old and 4-year-old started to laugh – I did too. With that, the 2-year-old laughed along.

 

Oh, by the way, my granddaughters were the ones who figured out how to get the Wii game to work, too. When it came to preparing the food, and entertaining the girls with the old-fashioned board games, coloring books, movie, and popcorn – I managed quite well. I managed in my “old school” way.

 

But as for the electronic games and suitcase, my granddaughters “bested” me on both!