One day , I put on a Spanish children ’ s show for the boys and the first comment from Sterling was , “ Hey , they speak Spanish just like us !” I think this teacher should get a raise .
Afternoons were usually spent at a beach close to a restaurant in case of bathroom breaks and extra snacks . Lachlan adores the ocean ; he could spend all day jumping waves and , if allowed , would go further into the water , which would have given me a heart attack . Sterling loved playing in the sand and creating his own structures with or without sand toys . He is very independent and as long as there are plenty of snacks and drinks , he is good to go .
There are many vendors on the beach . I will usually say , “ No gracias ” and for some reason this became Sterling ’ s job . He would see a vendor a mile away and say , “ No gracias !” The vendors would look down at this little three-year-old don ’ t-mess-with-me kid and laugh . Believe me , when a three-yearold says no gracias , you listen .
The days ended with sand-covered children with sun-touched faces , ready to head home to Mama , Papa , Baby Stella , and the ever-inviting swimming pool . This mémé / teacher was pretty tired at the end of every day and very much appreciated the refreshment that was awaiting her ! I do know that this was a gift given to me in a time that has been so challenging . Whether these darlings remember the lessons
I taught them or the adventures we experienced together , I am not sure . What I do know is that I love who they are and who they are becoming and how very fortunate we are , as grandparents , to have special moments in our lives to be with our grandchildren , wherever they are .
Lorianne Tenove is a retired administrator from
Alberta who keeps trying to retire but always seems to find another adventure ! She is the head of an Alberta accredited school in Mazatlán , Mexico . Lorianne has three children , two stepchildren , and three very beloved grandchildren who call her “ Mémé .”
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