Our children, Tiffany and Keola were/are as different as night and day. Tiffany had a difficult birth and was slow in wanting to join us. Keola could not wait and was born in the elevator of the hospital. Our vacations had to be planned with malls and wilderness exploration in mind. One was a social butterfly, the other was more selective. One was a picky eater, the other ate whatever was on hand.
We should have been prepared for our grandchildren being different too.
KC came to Hawaii when she was about two years old. She was scared of the sand and wouldn't leave the beach blanket. You could set her down and we knew she wouldn't run off. Getting used to the water was equally challenging. We laugh about it today, especially when we see her in swimming competitions doing the same graceful breast stroke that her mother was noted for.
When we learned that our 17 month old grandson JD was going to make his first visit to Hawaii we were cautious in our preparations knowing what his father was like as a toddler.
We covered all the electrical sockets, put everything up high out of reach, tied up cabinets, bought a smaller Christmas tree, put up unbreakable ornaments, installed a baby gate at the top of the stairs, etc. He still quickly found things we'd missed and opened every drawer we weren't able to secure. As for the Christmas tree... He was careful at first in just poking at the ornaments or touching it. Then on the second day, he pulled the branch and it fell almost on top of him. He was so startled, he didn't try it again and went back to just poking at the ornaments and pointing at the tree as though it was some mean creature that tried to swat him.
When we took him to the beach, he was enthralled by the sand and couldn't wait to dig, poke and run along the beach.
He even loved walking in the water up to his chest while his parents held his hand so that the current wouldn't push him down.
You couldn't keep him out of the water.
When Keola mentioned putting JD on a boogie board, I said, "No way!" I really didn't think he would stay on it.
Gracious! He's only been walking for 4 months! How can he stay on a boogie board? "He'll be too scared," I told them.
Ummmm....
Nope! He laughed the entire time and couldn't wait to be placed back on.
When I mentioned this to his Auntie Tiffany, she laughed and said, "Looks like JD is his father's son."
And KC? Well... She's a natural on the boogie board these days and loves the beach! I wouldn't be surprised if she took up surfing like her uncle someday. I know Keola would love to teach her.
KC came to Hawaii when she was about two years old. She was scared of the sand and wouldn't leave the beach blanket. You could set her down and we knew she wouldn't run off. Getting used to the water was equally challenging. We laugh about it today, especially when we see her in swimming competitions doing the same graceful breast stroke that her mother was noted for.
When we learned that our 17 month old grandson JD was going to make his first visit to Hawaii we were cautious in our preparations knowing what his father was like as a toddler.
We covered all the electrical sockets, put everything up high out of reach, tied up cabinets, bought a smaller Christmas tree, put up unbreakable ornaments, installed a baby gate at the top of the stairs, etc. He still quickly found things we'd missed and opened every drawer we weren't able to secure. As for the Christmas tree... He was careful at first in just poking at the ornaments or touching it. Then on the second day, he pulled the branch and it fell almost on top of him. He was so startled, he didn't try it again and went back to just poking at the ornaments and pointing at the tree as though it was some mean creature that tried to swat him.
When we took him to the beach, he was enthralled by the sand and couldn't wait to dig, poke and run along the beach.
He even loved walking in the water up to his chest while his parents held his hand so that the current wouldn't push him down.
You couldn't keep him out of the water.
When Keola mentioned putting JD on a boogie board, I said, "No way!" I really didn't think he would stay on it.
Gracious! He's only been walking for 4 months! How can he stay on a boogie board? "He'll be too scared," I told them.
Ummmm....
Nope! He laughed the entire time and couldn't wait to be placed back on.
When I mentioned this to his Auntie Tiffany, she laughed and said, "Looks like JD is his father's son."
And KC? Well... She's a natural on the boogie board these days and loves the beach! I wouldn't be surprised if she took up surfing like her uncle someday. I know Keola would love to teach her.
What beautiful photos and memories! Hopefully he'll be in Speedos soon! Might need one of those walking harness/leashes on the toddler to fish him out of the water.
ReplyDeleteWhen my son met the ocean off Lahaina at 15 years old, he sat and swam in the surf for 3 hours! (Had to get to the Maui doc to get sand out of his ears...) Different than the midwestern swim team. Toddler swim lessons at the Y were great for confidence, and wearing out my son to sleep at night!
Linda in Kansas
As a matter of fact, they do that one of those leashes disguised as a toddler backpack which they use when out walking. It's essential because JD does run for whatever catches his fancy. His father was the same way and we had a leash like that which wasn't disguised. In those days, I think people thought we were cruel. They would understand if they saw how many trips we'd taken to the ER.
DeleteWhat beautiful children! And I would bet that in no time at all, JD will be swimming and enjoying the surf. You are so incredibly fortunate to have such lovely grandchildren, Kay. Thanks for sharing them with me. :-)
ReplyDeletehow fun the comparison of your kids and grandkids. That's one of the joys of growing older is enjoying your grandchildren's visits and not having to deal with the day to day responsibilities of raising them...lol!
ReplyDeleteHa ha. He is his father's son and be glad you aren't on 24/7 patrol all the time and that your active son is.
ReplyDeleteThe differences in children within the same family never ceases to amaze me. Aren't genetics fascinating?
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyed seeing your kiddies!
Oh! Wonderful stuff. Magic indeed. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is so fun to watch grandchildren take on something new. Probably good that they don't listen too much to grandma's constraints.
ReplyDeleteNeat grandchildren! And you're right. My children are as different as night and day too.
ReplyDeleteKids are always interesting in the way they behave.
ReplyDeleteloved this post!
ReplyDeleteFunny how your grandchildren took after their own parents.
ReplyDeleteChildren almost have a internal radar that makes them different from their siblings. When I had 2 children, the first one was curiously active and busy, forever learning and touching things. The second one was the opposite - stayed still, just observed. Then the third one was right in the middle - but very different from the other 2, almost a perfect blend of sweet and smart. By the time I had my 4th child, I was so tired and spent, but this one was a total monkey climbing out of everything and always running, and grumpy.
I don't have grandchildren yet. I'm still tired from having 4 kids, lol.
Kids are unpredictable about what's scary and what's not. Same thing with eating. Good quality food? yuck. Dirty sand from the park? yum
ReplyDeleteIt was fun reading about your grandkids and how they are like their parents. i especially loved seeing little DJ in action. Looks like that stair gate didn't stop him!
ReplyDeleteI guess no matter where they are born, your offspring have Hawaii in their blood.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post. What a family!
I enjoyed this post. I am not putting up photos of him now as he is not a baby and don't want some face recognition software to pick him up.... i guess I could do what you do and smudge the face...
ReplyDeleteSo nice of you to share these photos!
ReplyDeleteDon't they love sand??!!!!
ReplyDeleteJD loved sand from the start. KC loves it now. 😊
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