Grilled Grandma: Gail

How many children do you have?  Two daughters

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? Three grandsons, 14, 7 and 2

Any great grandchildren?  No, not that I know about!

What do your grandchildren call you? Nana, when they're nice.

Beyond the initial elation, what most concerned you upon hearing you'd soon be a grandma? My main concern was how was my daughter going to do this...and she didn't.  We are raising the fourteen-year-old.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? One every day, the other two, at least once a week.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Being loved.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Keeping my mouth shut, when the actions of the parents do not comply with my standards.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. One asked, "What is a prostitute?" I had to wallow that around a little and then answered, When a lady makes a gentleman happy for money instead of for fun.  He said, oh, I thought it was a wooden leg!

One grandson told me, You sure read good, Nana!

The two-year-old, is just learning hide and seek and chase is a serious game.  I hid too well, jumped out, and scared him.  He jumped and then laughed with delight and ran like crazy to go hide but the look on his face was priceless.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? We paint, we hunt for arrowheads and rocks.  We ride horses. We explore the woods.  We have a favorite thing we do called "rubber booting".  After a rain, the creeks are swollen and the dry ditches are running.  We don our rubber boots and wade and explore.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Don't know, they always come here.  It's more fun At The Farm. I do like to take them on special field trips to places they haven't seen.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? I am unforgettable!!!

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Respect for all things, creatures and people, a love of learning, and a sense of adventure.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Fun or funny!

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? Not to spend money, it is the special moments that they remember.

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Run, hide!!! No, play with them, do what they want to do, introduce them to new experiences and have a ball...they will remember!

Get more grins and giggles – plus some serious stuff, too -- on Gail’s blog:  At the Farm.