Summer 2010 is here and the plans are well underway for exciting things to do involving grandchildren.  It’s a good thing my husband and I took our spring trip so we can be free to do whatever we are called upon to do. . .that’s what grandparents do you know!!

The “Big Kids” started asking last January where our “Nana Trip” would be this year.  This “Nana Trip” thing started about 4 years ago because we took a “girl’s trip”.  We went to Birmingham, AL, for a weekend of shopping.  I thought it would be fun to treat the girls to a suite at the hotel adjoining the Galleria, order room service and have lots of girl fun.  I was right, we had a great time but did I ever start something!

The boys were a little jealous so the next year we took a boys trip to Chattanooga, TN. We stayed in an authentic railroad car at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, a hotel complex in a train station commemorating the history of railroads. We visited the Tennessee Aquarium, ate pizza and just had fun hanging out! The boys enjoyed playing cards in the “room” as much as anything.  They really liked staying in the refurbished rail car. . .and it was neat!!!

Last year I surprised them all with a week in Gulf Shores, Alabama. I bravely took off to Alabama with the 3 Kentucky teenagers, a tank full of gas and most importantly, Pops credit card. The 4^th teenage grandchild flew in from California and met us in Gulf Shores.  We had a great time, Kayci and I had our own rooms and the boys had bunks. . . everyone had their own TV so after a busy day on the beach and a great dinner out, there was no fussing over who was watching what! It was a wonderful trip and the kids couldn’t have been better!  Other than the fact it takes several hours to drive from Paducah to Gulf Shores, there were no complaints!  

This year it has already been difficult to fit things in to the children’s hectic schedule. . . .2 KY grandsons  will continue the family tradition of going to Philmont, New Mexico, with their father for 2 weeks of backpacking at the Boy Scout Ranch.  If it wasn’t busy enough, two sons and their families will be moving this summer!  This wasn’t a planned thing . . . it just happened!  Jobs take people all over the world and we are lucky that 3 sons will now have their families in Tennessee . . .  closer to each other and not too far from us!  It will now be easier for us to stop in the Strasburg store in Nashville’s Cool Spring Galleria!

With all that going on, I think the perfect “Nana Trip” will be just a couple days this year. . . don’t tell them, but I think we will go to St. Louis, MO, for a visit to the zoo , a little shopping for Kayci and try to catch a St. Louis Cardinal ballgame to satisfy the boys!  

As the “Big Kids” grow up and “Nana Trips” become harder to fit into their schedules . . . it’s comforting to know we have two new babies – ages 1 and 8 months who will soon start asking what the plans are for this summer’s   “Nana Trip”??? We will  keep making plans but most  important of all we will be making  memories!