I can't figure it out. What makes babies cry, when they wake up from a nap? I understand it might be frightening to wake up and discover you're alone, but when I go into the room to retrieve them, they cry as if I might leave them there. I tell them I'm glad they're awake and ask if they're ready to play. They only cry louder. I scoop them up and try to move out of the room quickly, if the other brother is still asleep. I have tried to imagine what could be going through their mind. Do they worry they missed all the fun? I'm clueless. I would love a nap!
Earlier today I explained that Grampa would be home after their nap. Andrew was the first to wake up and was already enjoying book time with Grampa. I heard Nathan wake up on the monitor and went running upstairs. He was in the middle of a meltdown when I told him to guess who was home. He continued to cry, until my question registered in his mind. He actually inhaled the last wail and gasped, "Grampa?" No more tears, just smiles for Grampa. It would take a lot more than the idea of Grampa to stop my crying.
Wednesday night, Nathan and Andrew had a sleep over with Grampa. They came home from work with Grampa in his "white car." When Grampa announced it was time to put their pj's on, Andrew said, "No pajamas!" Grampa explained that when they had their pj's on their would be a surprise. Nathan ran to put his on, knowing "surprise" is a favorite and frequent word at Gramma's, and always something good. When Nathan had his evening attire on, he was given a gyro (a toy from Gramma's era, no batteries required) to play with. Andrew's eye lit up and of course demanded his turn. Grampa reminded him he didn't have his pj's on, at which time Andrew threw himself onto the ottoman, as if to say, "hurry, get them on me." The best $2 I've spent. It's good for diaper changes, boo-boos, and distractions while Gramma gets lunch.
The boys must be growing up. They're starting to understand that "No" works for them as much as for their parents. They're also understanding there are times it pays to "cooperate" (our word for the day.) Or maybe they learned; "don't cooperate until the negotiations are complete."
The boys' phones (no batteries required.)
The boys' great-grandfather made his money as a pool shark, before he was married.
The boys learned from Gramma; hats are a necessary accessory. The scarves are optional.
Evidence that Grampa was not watching closely enough. When he was confronted, his comment was, "isn't it interesting how the oranges managed to all fall in the same spot?" The boys have no comment.
One of the boys' favorite activities is playing with blue and black glass beads. My children and students have played with these same beads for decades. I use them in my teaching and keep them in a whiskey decanter. They look beautiful, make a musical sort of sound as they clink together or are poured from the decanter. When one of the boys decides to work with the beads, they automatically bring two placemats. The extra one is for their brother. They then place the mats side by side, so they can work closely, while defining their workspace. Nathan enjoys sorting the beads into conatiners. Andrew has no desire to sort them, but loves pouring them out and putting them back into the decanter. This is a supervised activity, because the beads are small. The boys enjoy teasing me by putting the beads near their mouth. They laugh when I tell them, "not in your mouth!" 
