Grala!

Kids come up with all sorts of funny names for their grandparents. A quick Google search came up with many alternatives to regular old "Grandma" and "Grandpa". For Grandpa substitutes, there are many options, including, but not limited to: Gramps, Granddaddy, Grandpappy, and my all-time favorite: Big Paw. Instead of Grandma, there are even more unique and interesting names such as Grammy, Nana, Mami, Boppy, and my other all-time favorite: Big Maw. Well, nowhere on the almighty Google did I ever see "Grala" (pronounced Grah-la), the name that Susannah has given to all of her grandparents. She apparently likes to keep things simple, as this term covers both Grandmas and Grandpas (and, for all we know, all people above a certain age!). Despite the fact that a "Grala" sounds like some kind of odd creature out of a fantasy novel, it seems to be working just fine for now while she gets her pronunciation sorted out.
Both sets of Gralas have visited lately, and Susannah thoroughly enjoyed the loving attention of all of them. The Watters drove all the way from VT in their van and hit San Francisco during Easter weekend. If their legs were feeling stiff from the drive, Susannah definitely helped them get the blood moving, that's for sure! Susannah hasn't seem them since Christmas, but warmed to them very quickly and spent an entire day with Chris and Cynthia while Alex and I went to work.

At the Windmill/tulip garden at Golden Gate park, Easter weekend

More recently, my parents came for a weekend visit. We played tourist and rode the trolley down to Fisherman's Wharf and visited the historic ships at Hyde St. Pier. Susannah had lots of fun running up and down the dock, sticking her head into portholes (see video) and generally making my dad incredibly nervous. After a nice weekend visit, my dad drove back to AZ on his own and was kind enough to leave my mom here for a whole week! This was not only lots of fun, but especially helpful for Alex and I, as this corresponded with a vacation at Susannah's daycare. Oh, the fun they had! To top off the week, my aunt Marka was in town, too. I haven't seen her for a few years, and she has never met Susannah, so we were thrilled to have her over for a quick visit.
Susannah clearly remembers her grandparents, because after they leave she frequently asks about them. Her vocabulary is exploding these days, and she can express herself with simple phrases now, such as "Grala, home?" and "Where Grala?" She also has made the connection that I sometimes call my mom on the phone, because whenever I pick it up to dial, she asks, "Grala, phone?"


Grandma works her magic with the Magnadoodle


Susannah enjoying images of herself in Marka's camera display


Aboard the Balclutha at Hyde St. Pier. Ships Ahoy!