Grilled Grandma: Cindi

What is a Grilled Grandma? A Grilled Grandma is a grandma whom I've grilled with some grandma-related questions, and she's graciously responded with answers and photos. Here is Grilled Grandma Cindi:

How many children do you have? I have two adult daughters. My oldest daughter is 28, married with two children. My youngest daughter is 24 and finishing Grad School.

How many grandchildren? What are their ages? I have two grandchildren. My granddaughter, 'Lil Moomette is 5 and in Kindergarten. My grandson Slugger is 3 and in Pre-School.

Any great grandchildren? No Way!

What do your grandchildren call you? My granddaughter started call me "Mammy" and her grandfather "Bampy" when she was just learning to talk. I thought is was quite unique and both she and my grandson continue to call us by those names!

After the initial elation, what was your first concern upon hearing you would soon be a grandmother? Wow, to this day I can still remember hearing the news! My daughter announced in May that I was going to be a grandmom! I asked when, and she said "October." I'm like, "What, October? That's not even enough time to plan a Baby Shower!"

How often do you get to see your grandchildren? My daughter and charming son-in-law used to live about 12 minutes away, so I would see the grandkids every day. I would be the one picking them up from daycare and bringing them back to my house until my daughter would pick them up to go home. They recently moved to a different town so we only get to see them perhaps once or twice a week now.

What is the best thing about being a grandma? I really enjoy watching  the grandkids discover and learn about new things.

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma? I do quite a bit of babysitting, and I find it challenging to remember that I am the grandmother, not the mom. I try to correct and discipline as needed. I have also realized that many of the health remedies in place when my own girls were little are not recommended any longer!

Describe a recent time that one (or more) of your grandchildren made you laugh out loud. It was just the other day! My husband and I were driving taking the grandkids to buy new shoes, and my grandson Slugger was in the back seat with his new diecase airplane! He was flying it around and making zooming sounds! Since I only had girls, it was fun to listen to his little boy noises and how husky is voice is getting!

What is your favorite thing to do with grandchildren who visit your house? When the grandkids visit I like to cook and bake with them!

What is your favorite thing to do when visiting grandchildren at their house? Both of my grandkids like to play board games. It's funny to see that my granddaughter is as competitive as her mother, the athlete was!

How do you maintain the bond between yourself and your grandchildren between visits? We talk on the telephone daily! Sometimes several times a day.

What do you most want to pass along to your grandchildren? Mostly memories and that we enjoy our special time together.  Our family is very close.  This past fall we went to many local fall fairs and the Big E. My granddaughter and I road an elephant together!

What is one word you hope your grandkids think of when they think of you? Loving. My own grandmom lived to be 101, so I got to enjoy her for a long time!  I still miss her.

What is one thing you wish you had learned earlier as a grandparent? At this point, I'm still learning, so it's difficult to say! Every day's an adventure!

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma? Love them. Enjoy every moment, and watch them grow and blossom.

Do you have a website or blog? What is it about?Editor’s note: Cindi has an enviable social media presence; here are the places you can find her:

Moomettes Magnificents

Family Life, Parenting, Grandparents and Grandchildren, Travel, Recipes, Food, Cooking, Reviews, Photography, Blog Resource tips, Social Media

Facebook: http://facebook.com/moomettes.magnificents

Frugal New England Kitchen

Helpful Frugal Hints from a Yankee Grandmom on Couponing, Recipes, Grandparents and Grandchildren, Family stories from the hearth of a Yankee New England Kitchen

Facebook: http://facebook.com/Frugalnewenglandkitchen

Twitter:  @Moomettes

Dear Readers: If you'd like to nominate a grandma for grilling—yourself or any other grandma—please e-mail me her first name and e-mail address and I'll take care of the rest. Thank you!