Hoedowns, Throw-Downs, and Showdowns

Hello folks, let’s chat… I recently had all my grands in at once. That would be four little All Things Southern Czars, each of them demanding my undivided attention at the same time. Think Wild West, squatter’s rights, showdown at the OK Corral, and you’re not even close. With kids you never know what will happen when they all get-together, it can be a hoedown, throw-down, or showdown.

We were uptown one day when a family friend remarked that watching me wrangling my grands reminded her of a story. She knew I would want to hear it. It happened years ago when her daughter Lisa was about four or five. Little Lisa’s out of town cousins were in for a family reunion, which was good. Only they were monopolizing the grandmother that she usually had all to herself. This was not so good.

Joan said her mother was in the floor playing with all of the grandkids when Lisa leaned into Mrs. Merle with a stage whisper that could be heard around the room. “Just don’t forget whose grandma you are,” she said.

I’ve noticed things on the kiddie range heat up in direct proportion to the prize. When that happens, squatter’s rights don’t always prevail. A prime example would be the day my six-year-old nephew was opening birthday presents in the midst of family and friends. Rusty had no sooner taken the top off a box containing a toy and some bonus penny candy before the sweets captured the attention of his four-year-old baby sister. With a hand on her hip, and another prominently extended, Hillary made her demand, loud and clear, “Give me the candy, Rusty.”

She didn’t say it in as many words, but we all knew what she meant. “And nobody gets hurt.”

Hugs,
Shellie