From Angkor Wat to the Car Wash

My granddaughters, aged 6 and 10, came to visit my husband and I this week for two night. They are children of the world because their parents are great travelers and seek out adventures. They have ridden on elephants in Chiang Mai, Thailand, walked the trail to Cat Cat Village in Sapa, Vietnam, been in Singapore, Koh Samui in Thailand and have lived in China for many years. This last Christmas they climbed the temples in Cambodia and I have a picture of them standing in front of Angkor Wat, the largest temple in the world.

The youngest speaks Chinese because she has a Chinese nanny that has taken care of her since she was born in a Chinese hospital. Next year they will move to Dubai. On this trip to Tucson their mother bought them Build-a-Bears with beating hearts. That is about as close to a real gift as they ever get because their gifts are the time spent with their parents doing very exciting things.

So, I ask you, what do you do to have fun with them when they come to visit? Well naturally, you go to the car wash. I know, it is exciting huh! They pressed their faces against the glass and watched the car go by covered with suds, ate popcorn and I even bought them "carwash" crafts. We giggled as they watched the people dry our car and then went home to eat ribs and play with my art box.

I took them to the mall the next day so I could get some eyebrow maintenance done and they stood and watched as I winced with each pull. Then they spotted the henna tattoos...they like those a lot. The words "You can get those when you are in Singapore or Thailand at spring break," came out of my mouth as though that was normal thing to say. My oh my.

These children are well balanced, beautifully behaved and full of fun. I suppose that this will be the last time I can fool the 10 year old with a trip to the car wash. But it was fun while it lasted. I am still smiling.

The interesting thing is that these children are not as unique as you might think. It seems that everyone I talk to knows someone that is living abroad with their family or has done so themselves. But for me it is very amazing.

Have a wonderful day.

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