Gran-pa Ranny

The only thing in the world that could draw my kids away from Lake Powell early, is my Dad. He is like Christmas, and birthdays, and Disneyland, and magical powers all rolled into one. My Daddio is the quintessentially fun guy. When he used to come visit, I had a hard time giving up my rules and letting the kids just be with him. Things have changed now, and I can trust that if they are repelling off the roof, I know my Dad probably has them at least securely tied off. I used to try to keep the kids from jumping off the couch and dive bombing his back, but I just didn't realize he loved it so much. When my Dizzle comes for a weekend, he and the kids go all out, like Meth-heads. It is hard to keep an eye on them, and I pretty much just follow the trail of dust to where they all have eventually passed out. I love being able to sleep in for a few mornings, and I have even been able to tune out the fact that I can hear them eating straight sugar by the spoonful for breakfast, and practicing all the potty words they don't get to say with me.

I love my Dad so much and appreciate his kindness and wisdom. I know he loves me more than I could ever know, and I feel that from him, without a doubt. I love that he has a ridiculously strong testimony, and yet, is a normal, non-holier than thou, diet coke drinking, open-minded and tolerant guy. I love him, and I love that my kids love and worship him. I wish my family lived closer so they could see him more often, and yet I don't know if either party could keep up the frenzied pace they maintain through the weekend.

We took him to the airport yesterday and there were tears all around.It was a fabulous weekend. This morning when Dave was taking the kids to the babysitter, Dawson said he sure was tired. When Dave asked him if he slept good during the night, Dawson said, "I kept waking up and knowing Gran-pa Ranny wasn't here and crying myself back to sleep."

I was happy that we lost the remote to the fart machine, until the boys discovered it was on the same frequency as the garage door, and the car alarms. All you have to do is set off the panic button on the cars, to make the fart machine work. Hooray! Now instead of just being annoyed with the fart machine noise, I get to hear the car alarms too. What good fortune!

I am not sure that is safe, but I know that it is fun!

Pooped at last!