Alternate title: Oh, the things that we do for our grandchildren!*

I don’t typically make comments or judgments about the physical appearance of folks who visit my home. Yet, a friend of my grandson Camden recently stayed at my house and I just gotta say, well, that kid was thin. Flat, in fact. So flat that the descriptor is officially part of his given name.

Yes, it’s Flat Stanley of whom I speak.

Camden recently volunteered me to host his colorful cutout as part of a Flat Stanley geography project at school. Flat Stanley arrived at my place via USPS, along with instructions from Camden’s teacher to introduce Flat Stanley to my community — Colorado Springs, Colo. — then return the kiddo to her class at week’s end with photos, information and more for Camden to compile a presentation to share with his classmates.

The first outing for Camden’s paper pal was a trip with Brianna and Benjamin to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo — the highest zoo in the United States, at an elevation of 6,714 feet.

The next day good fortune flowed down in the form of snow. Lots of it.

Which delighted desert-dwelling (i.e. snow-deprived) Camden when I texted him my plans for showing Stanley a snowy good time.

Over the next few days, Flat Stanley got to go sledding …

tubing …

and skiing (courtesy Benjamin’s baby skis).

We built a snowman together …

he made a snow angel …

and he even got to taste Gramma’s famous snow cream — something even Camden has never tried as Declan’s the only grandson so far having the good fortune of sampling the treat.

Flat Stanley’s week or so in Colorado Springs also included touristy types of things specific to my community, including visits to the Olympic Training Center and Garden of the Gods, plus plenty of photo opps featuring Pikes Peak and more.

I had a great time gathering goodies for Camden’s presentation and showing his friend what makes Colorado Springs special. Considering the constant grin the thin visitor sported throughout his stay, I’m quite confident Flat Stanley had a great time, too.

Which bodes well, I believe, for a likely future visit from the flat fella. My only hope being that Camden — and his brothers — get to tag along for the next go round at Gramma’s.