The Gift of a "Nana Date"

Today I found out that my Mom will be seeing a cardiologist about her slow heart beat.  Sigh, so, I need prayers.  I am praying that the problem isn't her heart and that whatever it is, that it is treatable and minor.

So, today also was my date with Gracie!  Boy, I needed that to take my mind off of Mom.  Our "Nana Date" was so awesome!!

I picked up Grace at the school when Alison dropped off Hunter and off we went to the mall!  First step was the M&Ms machine!  Reality check there.  The price doubled since last time and the amount of M&Ms was the same.  None the less--Grace was happy as a clam.  When we go to the mall with her brother and Gramps, we have a routine--we followed it today.



Next was to stop and get a orange smoothie.  We always get a small one with a protein boost and share it with two cups.  More than enough for both of us (we usually split with Hunter).  Grace loves her smoothies!  Next on our routine is to go to Nana's favorite bookstore--Barnes & Noble.  Really any bookstore is my favorite--I love books!  At the front of the store, Grace stopped and pointed to a familiar logo--"Starbucks! Nana, there IS a Starbucks in this store!"  We had talked before about stopping at Starbucks and getting MaMa and PaPa a present.  So, we made our way to Starbucks and Grace picked out two gift cards, one for MaMa and one for PaPa.  She was so proud of her purchases and just beamed.  "They are gonna love this!"she whispered with a smile.

Since Grace was so well behaved, Nana suggested that we go into the Build A Bear Workshop.  She was delighted and wanted to know if I was going to buy her something.  We agreed on something small and she found a small kitty.....that she said wanted to go home with her.  Enough said, far be it from Nana to deprive a small kitty and favorite grand daughter the happiness of being together!

We walked out of the store with her hugging her new kitty.  One of the kiosks was selling nail polish and we went over to it because the gal said that she could  put a small butterfly on her fingernail.  And a couple of minutes later, Grace had a small white butterfly on her pink thumbnail. 

We went to the fish next.  There are two ponds that the kids love to go to and watch for awhile the Koa fish swim.  When that was done, it was off to the playground in the mall.  Grace was in her element, running, jumping, climbing, sliding down the slide, etc.  We were there forty minutes and she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Next was a real treat.  Every time we come, the kids ask about riding the small train in the mall.  While Grace was playing, I read the poster about the train--they give a military discount!  So, we paid the train conductor and climbed in.  Grace placed "Kitty" next to her and just grinned so happy to have her first mall train ride!

Then it was time to leave and have lunch.  Grace wanted fish at Burgerville so, we went to Burgerville and ate our fish and chips.  She was hungry and ate everything!  Must be all that playing and walking around the mall!  We got two balloons, one for her and one for Hunter and left for her house.  MaMa was waiting.  Grace was getting a little grumpy--tired and time for a nap!.

Now, my Grace is like Nana in that she gave MaMa her Christmas gift and put PaPa's in his stocking.  I am horrible about giving gifts early and I guess that is hereditary!

When I left my little one was tucked into her blanket on the couch snuggled with her "Kitty".  It was a wonderful date, a wonderful gift of time spent with my grand daughter.  I have to have a date with Hunter next. :)