We spent a fab, fun-filled weekend with our granddaughters – ages 8 and 5, after carefully scouring ParentMap’s very helpful calendar for some outing ideas.
The real question is – how much can you really pack into just two days? As ParentMap’s education editor and the author of the book, Beyond Smart, I know a few things about how to spend time with kids. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t give into their every desire and whim, and for heaven's sake, don’t let them drive every plan and idea.
We broke each one of these rules on Day One; yes, I played the Grandparent Card with no apologies. Oh, didn’t see that chapter in my book? It’s in the What You Get To Do When Your Kids Have Kids edition, simmering in the recesses of my mind.
Chocolate chip pancakes? Check. A glorious musical at Issaquah’s Village Theatre? Check. A jaunt to Redmond Town Center, the Dragon Park on Mercer Island and Island Books for some night-time reading? Let’s not forget Starbucks for hot chocolate and St. Cloud’s for chocolate chip pancakes (again!). Check, check, check, check – and OK, they had a bit of fruit on the side.
Don’t worry, there was some quality learning going on, too. For me, not them. Got some terrific Skype tips, great info about rock formation, learned that you could wear leggings with virtually anything, and that the dragon at the Mercer Island Dragon Park is in desperate need of a facelift. (You can help!!)
All this and cool, crafty homemade art besides. Who could ask for more?
