Grilled Grandma: Mary

What is a Grilled Grandma? A Grilled Grandma is a grandma whom I've grilled with some grandma-related questions, and she's graciously responded with answers and photos. Here is Grilled Grandma Mary:

How many children do you have? I have three children and eight grandchildren.

Daughter Lorrie has been married to Bruce for 19 years. They have two sons Jacob, 14, and Matthew, 9. They live just a few blocks away, so we see then all the time.

Jacob is now in the 8th grade. He has been in the gifted program since the 1st grade .He shares my love of art, but surpassed me in skill many years ago. He plays the trumpet, guitar, and piano. He is on a summer swim team and almost has his black belt in karate.

Matthew is at our house almost as much as he’s home. He loves having sleepovers. He likes going to the lake with us where we have our travel trailer. We also go to Silver Dollar City at least once a year. This year he finally was tall enough to ride all the big roller coasters.

Son Larry has been married to Laurie for 20 years. They live in San Antonio. They have 3 children: Eric, 20; Malia, 7; and Garrison, 5.

Eric is a sophomore in collage. After his mom, Malia, and Garrison moved to Texas in April, he moved in with Papa and I. We love going to the lake and Branson with him and his girlfriend Kayla. Eric’s favorite thing to do with us is to eat dinner together. His loves my tuna casserole and homemade chicken and dumplings, and about anything else I put on the table. .

Malia is a real girly girl, but comes home from school looking like a little rag muffin. We love putting makeup on and her fixing my hair together. We also have spa day when we get manicures and pedicures at the mall. We also do scrap booking together. Each child has their own scrapbooks they have been working on for several years.

Garrison is the most loving little boy. He always greets me with the biggest smile and hugs and kisses. He loves dancing and singing on the Wii for me. He cracks up when old grandma sings and dances with him. He loves having story books read to him and would sit on your lap for hours.

Son Rick has been married to Melissa for 10 years. They live at Fort Riley Kansas. They have three children: Kalep, 9; Riley, 6; and Jazzy, 2.

Grandpa and I recently drove to Fort Riley to see Kalep in a talent show. He performed “Baby Baby” by Justin Bieber. It wouldn’t surprise me if someday he’ll be a famous singer. Whatever he decides to do I know he will be great.

Riley is the spiting image of his dad. He is very soft spoken, and very well behaved. This summer he spent several days at the lake with just Papa and me. It was great having him all to ourselves. He caught his first fish that weekend, and a fisherman was born.

Last but not least is Jazzy girl. She is a real doll baby. She is full of love and is so happy. She thinks she’s as big as her brothers. I don’t think she’s afraid to try anything. She has her Daddy and Grandpa’s wrapped around her little fingers already.

What do your grandchildren call you? When Malia and Garrison were very young they called me Nana, but now I’m Grandma to all eight grandchildren.

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? When I was stationed at Anderson Air Force Guam, I received a call from my son Larry telling me Laurie was going to have a baby. I was so excited, but we were in Guam and they were in Germany so I knew it would be a long time before I would see my first grandchild. Eric was 13 months old when we met him for the first time. Laurie always showed him pictures of grandma and Papa, so he knew who we were.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? The best thing about being a grandma is watching them grow into happy well adjusted children and young adults. Each child has his or her own unique gifts. I encourage them to develop their own individual personalities and talents.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? I’m back to work part time, so we won’t be able to visit as often.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Today we keep in touch with the grandkids that live out of town by phone and Skype. We also visit them every few months.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? The one word the grandkids think of when they think of me is love. They know I love them unconditionally. I may not like everything they do, but I will always love them.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting with your grandchildren? Watching the grandchildren play, dance, sing, or just being lazy watching T.V brings so much joy and happiness into my life. I hope to have many more wonderful memories of the grandkids to fill my heart with.

Do you have a website or blog? I am very new at writing, but have enjoyed writing about my childhood and life’s experiences: Babe's World.

Dear Readers: If you'd like to nominate a grandma for grilling—even if it's yourself—please e-mail me her first name and e-mail address and I'll take care of the rest. Thank you!

Grilled Grandma: Deb

How many children do you have? Two—one son, one daughter

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? One, 13 months old

Any great grandchildren? Nope not yet...think it will be awhile on that one

What do your grandchildren call you? Oma

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? Who would be watching him when my daughter in law went back to work.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Almost every day; he comes to the office with me daily.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Being able to spend time with him, watch him learn and grow everyday, without having to worry about the other things you do when your raising your own children.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Keeping my office work done...he's so darn cute...I get distracted easily.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. Today when he was walking up and down the couch saying Bop pee Bop pee..that is what he calls my husband his grandpa....so darn cute.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Take him outside to see nature...and of course take photos of him.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Same thing.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? I'm fortunate I get to see him regularly

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? To be honest, hard working and to enjoy life.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Love

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Don't compare them to their parents, enjoy every minute you have with them.

Visit Deb's blog, Ladybug From Texas, for great stories and inspiring photos.

Dear Readers: If you'd like to nominate a grandma for grilling—even if it's yourself—please e-mail me her first name and e-mail address and I'll take care of the rest. Thank you!

Grilled Grandma: Lorinda

How many children do you have? Two sons. Oldest one in the Air Force stationed in Germany, youngest one here in Texas with us.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? Four last count, but keep thinking five (some timers). The two oldest are step but grands the same, both boys, 15 and 14; then their sister who is five, (all) by the youngest son. One boy, two, by the oldest son.

Any great grandchildren? Not yet

What do your grandchildren call you? Grams or Gram

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? No concerns, just happy happy joy joy.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Not often enough. About once a year.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? I get to send them home after I have spoiled them rotten.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Being so far away from them.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. The youngest on his last visit, helping fill his wading pool and taking the hose to his dad.

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Take them to the zoos.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Run around Europe with youngest and show him the things we did with his daddy, who grew up in Germany. And cuddles. Just spending cuddle time with the ones in Washington before they are too big and no longer want cuddles.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? Skype video phone LOTS!

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Enjoy life, it goes by quickly.

What is one word you hope your grand kids think of when they think of you? Love

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? Have not run across anything yet.

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Enjoy them while they are little. They grow up quicker than you think.

Dear Readers: If you'd like to nominate a grandma for grilling—even if it's yourself—please e-mail me her first name and e-mail address and I'll take care of the rest. Thank you!

Grilled Grandma: Nannette

How many children do you have? I have three children a daughter age 24 and two sons ages 21 and 14.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I have two granddaughters Sophia is four and Vivian is three. They are sisters.

Any great grandchildren? No not yet.

What do your grandchildren call you? They call me Nana. My name is Nannette and my mom named me after my great grandmother who was called Nanny. From the time I was little I thought my grandchildren would call me nanny. However it kept coming out Nana, so that is what I'm called now.

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? I knew my daughter was pregnant before she told me, just a feeling like mother's intuition. I was scared for her, because she was still quite young at 20. But I also knew that she would be a good mother. I love babies so I was also excited.

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? Quite often. I watch them for my daughter while she works and whenever she has to be gone for the Army National Guard.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? Feeling all of the love that you felt for your own children without some of the angst.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? Carrying them around. My back isn't as strong as it used to be.

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. I was on the phone with my husband and laying on my bed. It had been rainy all day so I was letting the girls run around and be loud when normally I make them be quieter in the house. Vivian hopped up on the bed and announced, "We are horsing around!"

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? Go pick out books at the library and read them for bedtime stories.

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Give them a bath in their giant walk-in bathtub.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? This hasn't been a problem, because I see them every week and sometimes every weekday.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? I recently completed my maternal ancestry back eight generations from them. I want them to understand that they come from a long line of strong and beautiful women who live life to its fullest. I am the only living connection for them, since my mother passed away a few years ago and my grandmother is quite old and frail.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Love

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? How to be both their grandmother and their daycare provider. I started out too lenient at times and had to reinforce the rules.

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? to take the time to truly play with and love your grandchildren, because it is one of the greatest joys in life.

Do you have a website or blog? What is the URL and what is it about? Stay at Home Grandma Blog. I blog about my experiences with my grandchildren, family, childcare, home, frugality, and wellness.

This is an archived version of Nannette's Grilled Grandma feature. See the original grilling—including reader comments—by clicking HERE.

Grilled Grandma: Lissa

How many children do you have?  4 - 2 boys, 2 girls

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? 4 girls - ages 6, 3, 2 & 3 months

Any great grandchildren? nope

What do your grandchildren call you? Nana - when my kids were still really young I started telling them "I get to be the Nana when you have kids." My Nana totally rocked.  :o)

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother?  That I was WAY too young.  :o)

How often do you get to see your grandchildren?  Not nearly often enough - every few weeks usually. They live about 1 1/2 hours away which isn't that far, but I'm pretty busy with all kinds of other things.

What is the best thing about being a grandma?  I have so much more patience now. Also I don't feel that pressure for them to be perfect or that people were judging me based on how they behave. Besides kids are ALWAYS better for grandparents than their parents, right?

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? For me it's having enough time to have them. I lead a pretty busy life and I feel guilty that I don't get them as often as they ask!

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud.   I had the 3 month old last weekend & she is trying so hard to roll over. She gets over on her belly but her arm is in the way. She gets so frustrated & mad at her arm you just have to laugh!

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house?  It depends on which one/ ones I have. We love to make cookies or cupcakes, arts & crafts, go to the pool, pick stuff out of the garden, make smores in the fire pit, read books, or just watch movies with a big bowl of popcorn .

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house?  I would say we usually just watch a movie or read.

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? We Skype or talk on the phone.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Good memories of things we have done together. When I look back it's not that things that were purchased that mean something. I want them to remember sitting on the couch wrapped in my arms.

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Can I give you two?  Fun & Loving

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent?  I really can't think of anything. I'm so lucky to be so close with my daughters so I've been a part of almost everything, from birth on! I'm one blessed woman.

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma?  Time goes even faster than it did with your kids- soak it in, every single minute!

Do you have a website or blog? What is it about? My blog is called Don't Blink... It refers to the fact that one minute you have 4 kids that you are ready to throw from a moving car, and the next you are sobbing at graduation because they grew up so fast.