The New Christmas Grandparents

Guest Post By Christopher Dayton's Mother.....
Here we are at the Dayton house for another wonderful Christmas with our grandchildren and son and daughter-in-law.  Now we may not be the most typical grandparents. We live in a 36 foot fifth wheel downsized from a 3000 sq. ft. house. Our backyard is 26 acres of forested property 2000 feet above sea level right outside of Mt. Rainier National Park in Washington state. We've traveled extensively (40+ countries) and are now retired. Our four Dayton grandchildren (ages 15, 11, 7, 5) are the light of our lives.

I was thinking how different our trips to our family are from typical Christmas journeys of the past. Yes, we come bearing a car load of gifts as well as enough luggage for a week long stay. Yes, we bring (or buy) food for Christmas dinner, breakfast, etc.
BUT,  Grandma (that's me) now comes with a laptop that has a 17" screen, a Galaxy Tab (7") Android based device, cell phones, chargers and other electronics. And NOW the youngest grandchild, after giving me a big hello kiss, asks "Grandma, can I play Angry Birds?". The next youngest chimes in with "When can I have a turn?"  A few minutes later, after setting up my laptop in the room my oldest grandson has cheerfully vacated for the duration of our stay, the two oldest politely ask if they can use my computer to check their e-mails, Facebook pages, Skype with their cousin in Florida, etc. Not that they don't have their own computers, but mine is newer and bigger, Of course. After all, I truly am Techno Grandma!

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year
Jofannie Karla