Nothing like being a grandparent

Being a grandparent is grand.

The joy of cuddling an infant in your arms, the fun of reading rhyme from charming books, the challenge of finding a skirt with enough twirl-factor, and the fascination of following a line of ants are some of the varied adventures that await grandparents.

You simply need to be seasoned with years of parenting that are held in reserve with a smile large enough to encourage and a heart savvy enough to enjoy.

With Grandparent Day on Sunday, some Lisle residents who have reached that golden opportunity to see their children's children share some resourceful ideas that make being a grandparent fun.

Lisle Mayor Joseph Broda and his wife, Joanna Broda, have three grandchildren ranging from 18 months to 10 years old.

"My grandson, Jacob, wrote a story for school calling himself the luckiest guy in the world because his grandfather is a mayor and he gets to ride in parades, wave to people and throw out candy," said the mayor. "He invited me to his class to talk about being a mayor and he was smiling from ear to ear when I talked."

After three daughters, Joanna Broda learned a lot about sports thanks to her first grandson.

"I like to talk with the grandchildren and get their ideas," Joanna Broda said.

Joanna knows her granddaughter Samantha, 4, especially likes her brownies and helping in the kitchen. She keeps various shapes, including a Mickey Mouse, in a drawer where the grandchildren pick out their favorite for pancakes. She preheats the griddle with the shapes in place and pours the batter within the form for fun-shaped pancakes.

Also with three grandchildren in the suburban area, Lisle grandmother Marilyn Citari is known for her unique handmade quilts such as the one she made for her grandson, Joey, 8, with turtles on it. "Grandma M" enjoys the time she spends with her grandchildren, which frequently includes a game of Monopoly.

Lisle residents John and Alyce Sosnowski visit with their two grandchildren in San Diego several times a year. When Austin, 10, and Haley, 13, come to Lisle, one of their favorite destinations is the Morton Arboretum, where John works.

"When we go to the arboretum, we make it a discovery trip where we go at their pace," John said. "You don't need to spend lots of money or go far to find interesting things going on; nature is fun with unexpected adventures."

John said turning over a large rock uncovers a natural world and at the ocean, wildlife may wait under a seashell.

The computer can help shrink the distance between a grandparent and older grandchildren. The Lisle Library has a bank of computers for patrons to send and receive e-mails. Sign up for free Internet services so you and your grandchildren can e-mail each other.

A fun way to keep in touch is to remember a grandchild's half birthday. A half-birthday falls on the exact date halfway between real birthdays. On that day, call to sing half of the Happy Birthday song to the lucky recipient or send a small gift or favorite book to remind each how special they are to you.

Poetry is a talent of Lisle grandmother Fran Welch, who has four children, 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She writes poetry when she gets inspired and for special occasions. She sent a poem to her grandson, Kevin, for his first year at Dartmouth University.

"On my children's birthday, I always send them a special card and I call and sing 'Happy Birthday' to each of the grandchildren," Welch said. "I call before they leave for school or after they come home from work and so far no one has told me not to call anymore."

Lisle resident Marion Ziegler has 19 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She has made so many hand-knit baby sweater-hat-and-bootee sets that she has lost track of the number. She also knits sweaters for all her grandchildren as birthday gifts.

"My granddaughter, Molly, who is now a teacher and is expecting, told me that her mom saved all the baby things I made for her and she is excited she will now use them for her baby," Ziegler said.

Ziegler made for all six of her children and each of the grandchildren a special quilted Christmas tree skirt.

Grandmother Pat Vish, who works in Morton Arboretum's collections department, believes in letting children play outside, get dirty, look at bugs and worms, dig in the dirt, pull weeds and otherwise enjoy the outdoors.

Vish tells her granddaughter, Lillian, 2, that the ants crawling on the ground are going to their home to find their mommy. Then the two draw chalk pictures on the sidewalk of the ants and their house.

Both enjoy visits to the arboretum's Children's Garden, where interacting with nature is prevalent. Next summer, Vish plans to help her granddaughter plant a small garden.

Sharing the family history is a legacy grandparents owe their grandchildren. Pass on stories of the family's past, amusing adventures and traditions. Give them a sense of who they are and how precious they are to the family.

• Joan Broz writes about Lisle and her columns regularly run on Mondays in Neighbor. E-mail her at jgbroz@yahoo.com.

Why?

Why does a grandma have just two hands

And just two sides to sit next to

And only one lap to hold babies upon?

Have these questions ever perplexed you?

But then as I pondered,

I realized that right from the very start

A grandma is born with plenty of room

And lots of love in her heart.

- Fran Welch