I landed in Colorado with Soldier’s family four days ago. The airport and airplane were fun for me and the boys because it was their first experience, and because it was a short trip, to and from smaller airports and on Southwest Airlines which seemed to me much more easygoing and helpful than my usual United travel.
We have been in this Airbnb house in Colorado Springs for four nights. It has plenty of room for three wild Indians (as my mother’s generation would have called them, but I try not to) to race up and down stairs and roughhouse, yelling, shouting, and laughing. If I can get them to sing with me it’s sometimes possible to channel this exuberance into plain laughing, which carries less risk of maiming. 
Sing Through the Seasons from the Plough Publishing House has been for our family a wealth of children’s songs that are joyful music for all ages. I have been singing many of the original 99 songs of the first edition for over 40 years, but I’ve never introduced so many in as short a span as during this last week.
I found a copy of the later edition I had bought used, and brought it along in my suitcase, and the three brothers and I have sat on the couch for long periods singing, “Nibble, Nibble,” “Where Are the Froggies When the North Wind Blows,” and many other favorites. “Trot Along, My Little Pony” by Marlys Swinger was a lullaby I used to sing to the babies, leaning over their cribs to pat them to sleep. Even 2-yr-old Brodie sings in his husky voice with “Nibble, Nibble,” and anticipates the ending when he can chime in with, “And the rabbit in my heart is you!”
Last night while the boys were waiting for dinner I taught them “Three Little Puffins.” They giggled through the song at the idea of puffin birds stuffin’ themselves with muffins, but the giggles turned to hilarity when I started calling them my own Three Little Puffins.
We’ve been on a walk around Palmer Lake just to the north of us in the community with the same name. A few bits of snow were still on the ground from Sunday, the day we arrived right after a snowfall, and I wished I had brought my wool scarf against the wind. We “did school” the very first morning here, because their mother Joy is incredibly organized, and have watched videos on Grandma’s laptop about Deep Sea Fishes, Dragonflies, and How Deep Can We Dig Toward the Center of the Earth?
At the closest public library, in Monument, Joy was able to get a library card, and we brought home lots of books. Not only that, but behind the library is a lake or pond where ducks swim, and the librarians give free cups of cracked corn for feeding the ducks.
At this house there are toys and games; Liam found a turntable Scrabble board and tiles, and wanted me to play with him. I would rather play Bananagrams, but most of his family’s belongings are in storage, so we don’t have that game here. Yesterday he and I drove to Walmart to pick up a few things, including Bananagrams, but the store had just stopped carrying it. I told the salesperson, “I bet Target has it!” We substituted a bunch of bananas, and a new Scrabble game that had all its parts. Liam took to this more complicated word game with enthusiasm. We love words!
I am nearly hoarse from all the singing and reading, but still want to do more, and usually at least one of my “puffins” is more than willing. This evening while dinner was cooking I read to dear Brodie four of his favorite books, including What Do You Hear, Angel?, by Elizabeth Crispina Johnson. It has plenty of repetition to please the child’s ear, but the message conveyed is a fundamental truth of the cosmos that is lifelong sustenance: Things seen and unseen are singing the same song. The illustrations by Masha Lobastov confirm that idea with images of a happy child engaging with, you might say, earthly and heavenly messengers.
That’s what we are living every day.
Gladsome Lights 
Sounds like a very special time and I’m sure your three little puffins are very blessed by your loving care and attention! Family is such a beautiful thing when it is underpinned with love. I must look for that last book you mention; I’d like to read it myself!
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What a fun post, what a lovely family.
Love the rocks you found.
Happy Fall ~ FlowerLady
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What a delightful post – more so because I know Marlys Swinger personally. (In fact, I married her grandson!) I’d like to share your post with her; she will be so tickled that these songs are being put to good use. She’s 92 now – you can learn more about her in my recent Plough Quarterly article: http://www.plough.com/marlys (and your boys may enjoy another article and video: http://www.plough.com/treehouse ) with best wishes to you and your musical family, Maureen Swinger, editor@plough.com
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Wonderful!! It is exciting and so happy to see three little boys, playing outside, singing their hearts out! Does my heart good. You are an excellent grandma. They seem to have landed in a pleasant place for their children.
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Dear Gretchen, I am happy for you and your family. What a rich adventure! Love, Christie
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You’re the grandmother everyone dreams of! In fact, I want to be little again and call you Grandmother!
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I absolutely love all of this! To imagine you singing these songs with your grandsons and doing all kinds of nature studying…isn’t life so much fun seen through the eyes of children?
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Oh so delightful!
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I am so glad the flight was easy….you will know they aren’t so very far away. First things first…a library card, of course!
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What fun! I’m glad to hear the flight went well. Feeding the ducks is one my kids’ favorite pastimes with their great-grandmother and great-aunt. Their lot backs up to a creek with an access road. Hordes of ducks come for “feeding time.” 🙂
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Isn’t it wonderful to be able to spend time with precious grandchildren! Your 3 Puffins sound extra energetic but I think you’re doing great at keeping them busy.
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I love Scrabble! It’s a long game, but you can still let kids play with the letters like Bananagrams or make up another shorter variation. The land looks beautiful. And the sweet baby photos…love! Waiting for our babe, soon I hope!
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Beautiful! You are the best grandma ever! How cute that you are hoarse from all the singing! I can’t wait to see you! Woo hoo!
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You are an energetic grandma! Glad you’re having fun, and have a great visit with Pom Pom! I picked up a couple of games at the thrift store and a four foot long horse puzzle! Stocking up for when I move next door to the grands! 🙂 Enjoy your trip!
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The joy and blessing it must be for everyone to have such a wonderful nanny when things like dinners need attended to. Hope that voice survives long enough to talk long and longer with Pom Pom!
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I don’t think I’ve heard of any of those songs, but you and the boys seemed to be having a very good time!
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Baby Clara looks very healthy and happy! Glory to God for your time spent with family!
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Heartwarming and memorable times that fill your soul with joy❣️
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