Once upon a time (part 2)…

As the sun hid behind the clouds on a rainy Saturday morning, Nana lay in bed watching the beautiful princess Ella as she began that journey from peaceful sleep to wide awake. It was one of the sweetest moments Nana could remember in a long time! Although it was probably close to an hour that she laid there and just adored this child – it seemed like just a couple minutes had passed before Ella’s eyes opened. She looked around quickly before seeing Nana smiling at her, and immediately this adorable little grin started to come across her face as those precious first words of the day were spoken; “hey Nana, where’s Kelso?” :-) And so set the tone for the day…

The two of them, with Kelso and Fancy following, got out of bed and pretty much picked up where they left off the night before! First things first however; the little drawer in the night stand peaked Ella’s interest. When she opened it, much to her delight she found a computer mouse! “What’s this” asked Ella, when Nana told her she said “I can play with it?”, “of course you can”, replied Nana; and they took it into the living room so Ella could use it to work on the story she started the day before on Nana’s computer.

Then it was time for breakfast! They filled up Dora (Ella’s favorite bowl) with donuts and shared them while watching cartoons in the living room. Again they danced, and they laughed at Nana trying to learn – and mostly just winging – the words and steps to various Saturday morning cartoon show songs. Ella is very observant, she knew Nana was ‘winging’ it; and she thought it was “so funny”. They again played with stickers and cards, and even found a few things from Nana’s stash to add to Ella’s collection.

After taking a break to wash their hands and faces, brush their hair and teeth; Ella decided she wanted Cheerio’s. Nana knew it had already been a while since the donuts, and there had been quite enough physical activity to work up an appetite – so Cheerio’s it was! After a few bites of cereal, Ella decided it was time to jump on the bed. The two of them were having so much fun when they heard somebody come in the door. “Is that my moma and daddy?” asked Ella, “I don’t think so”, said Nana; and before they could get up to go see Grandpa Cookie walked in to surprise them. Ella squealed and laughed “it’s Grandpa”, followed immediately with the question, “you’ll take me to see the chickens?”

Well of course he will. And afterwards he played Play-Doh with her. Ella even allowed Grandpa Cookie to use the pink (Nana is still pondering that one). While playing Play-Doh Ella’s daddy called. After Ella talked to him, twice, he told Nana to let Ella take her afternoon nap, then call when she woke up for either him or her mommy to come get her. There was soup for lunch, a lot more playing, and then Nana made a comfy pallet on the couch so Ella could lie down and watch the Hannah Montana concert with Grandpa and Bunny. In a matter of minutes Hannah had lulled Ella right to sleep, Grandpa too :-)

When Ella woke up from her nap, Nana told her it was time to get dressed and call her mommy and daddy. Ella began to cry, “no, I don't want to call my mommy, it’s not time for home!” What else could Nana's tickled and melted heart say but “okay, we don’t have to call right now.” So… after a treat and more yummy soup, they washed their faces good and Nana ‘didn’t help’ as Ella dressed herself in her pretty green outfit. Then, while Ella was reading Nana a story about Fancy Nancy, Grandpa went into the bathroom and called Ella’s daddy – not because Nana and Grandpa wanted Ella to go home, but because they decided they better do what Ella’s mommy and daddy had asked them to do!

I think Ella’s mommy was missing her, because just a few minutes later, as they were playing with Play-Doh, she arrived to get her. And Ella was so excited to see her that she forgot she didn’t want to leave Nana’s house yet, especially after she found out she was going shopping with her mommy!! So Nana and Grandpa gave goodbye suggan’s to sweet Ella and the princess blew kisses to Nana as she was carried away in the loving arms of her sweet mommy – just as a princess should be!!

~~the end :-)