Audrey and Pa Pa's Rootin', Tootin', Shootin', Slumber Party

Audrey was invited to spend the night at Grandma and Grandpa's the day after Christmas.  She had been anticipating "her night" for weeks.  I love that my parents choose to spend one-on-one time with their granddaughters.  That way, each girl gets individualized attention and gets spoiled with a night dedicated to what she wants to do.  I told my mom that I want to get in the rotation so that I get a night with them and get my share of the spoiling.  She thought it was a hilarious idea, only, I wasn't kidding!

On Christmas, my dad gave Audrey her favorite present-a real horse saddle.  It was an old one that she had seen in the storage area of the basement.  She loved it and asked for it as a present. When she saw it sitting beneath their tree, she screamed with excitement proclaiming it to be the best Christmas present EVER!

Later on Christmas day, I found my girl and her paw paw in his workshop crafting a "horse" for her saddle to sit on.  They got a nice start on their project and had fun.  When Audrey spent the night, they finished the horse complete with tail and spray paint details.  

Paw Paw also built a tent for him and Audrey to sleep in in the family room.  They stayed up watching cartoons in their special tent.  My mom said that she loved having the bed to herself and got to sleep in for a change.

Saturday morning might have even surpassed the horse, saddle, and tent.  Paw Paw got out two BB guns.  Audrey has been begging to go shooting for the past year.  Paw Paw made a target and they sat out in the backyard and had a great time.  Audrey is a good shot and made the center of the target every time.  My sweet, seven year old gun enthusiast! I wonder if she'll be getting a .22 for Christmas next year.  

After the shooting, grandma and grandpa picked up Audrey's two cousins and they went to McDonald's and played.  Then they went to Powder Valley Nature Reserve and ran around and played some more.  

I'm so thankful that Audrey's childhood is going to be filled with special times like this.  She is a very outgoing girl and I think that my parents are good at nurturing her.  I love that she is fearless and insightful.  She always is surprising me with how perceptive she is of life.