Had the grandkids over
at the new place where we live.
‘Cause we really enjoy
the great company they give.

Four scrappin’ boys…..
“But boys will be boys”
Except sometimes the kids
don’t control all their toys.

When their pellet gun took out
the window on my ride,
the grandkids all thought
we’d nail up their hide.

And like the Three Musketeers
“One for all, all for one”
none would 'fess up’
to who really shot the gun.

Insurance won’t touch it,
and no “cash in the till”
I kinda got the feeling
I was stuck for the bill.

Then Maude lined them all up
Like recruits, in the room,
And like a old Marine Drill Sergeant,
started spouting death, doom and gloom.

“You’ll be working this yard,
till you’re all dead and past.
Then your grandkids will come here
to finish the task.”

When the parents showed up,
saw the glass on the street,
They swore their kids all to bondage,
till their payment’s complete.

Then the next day I stumbled
into a good bunch of luck….
Someone fixed my window
for about a hundred bucks.

So Easter vacation started
and all the children showed up.
Ready to work off that window,
and take all their lumps.

But tough love’s a real bitch
when you really hate being tough.
‘Cause ya love hell out’a those boys.
And you’d rather hug, than be rough.

They spent their vacation,
with rake, shovel and hoe.
Cleaned up the whole yard,
got it ready to mow.

Young Jasper was raking,
while Grant picked up sticks.
Two year old Will’s moving
little rocks and old bricks.

Christopher’s there, digging
that old patio out.
And Maxwell’s excavating
that buried sidewalk’s old route.

Each day we would teach them
some new basic skill,
how to use tools, some gardening,
while they “worked off their bill."

After a couple of days
our enchanted woods site
took on a new look,
all clean, neat and bright.

We got pizza delivered,
as reward for their toil,
and to show our respect
for their work in the soil.

We thought for Easter Sunday
We’d all have some fun.
Let the parents see the good things
That their kids really done.

The front yard was spotless,
and cleaned ‘to the bone’.
The patio, scrubbed,
the front windows shown.

We scrounged up some tables
some chairs and some trays,
They knew Easter was coming
In just two more days.

Easter Sunday was perfect,
At the Enchanted Wood
All the families showed up,
and the picnic was good.

“Just before we say Grace,
we just wanted to say,
we must thank all our grandkids
for making this beautiful day.”

“I’ve consulted with Maudie,
and for the great workers you’ve been.
We’ve reduced your hard labor
Down to five years, from ten.”

We got three and a half acres,
lots of mowing to do.
Got a big riding lawn mower coming
In another week or two.

So we’ll get lots of free cutting,
then raked up and cleaned.
Soon as I teach all the kids
How to run that machine.

Now spring time is coming,
and to repent of their crimes,
I suppose that they’ll cut it
Maybe …..Twenty eight times?

There’ll be plenty of gardening
‘cause ‘the labor is cheap’.
And we just love when they stay here.....
for the great company they keep.

And that busted old window…..
That’ll soon, long time be paid,
while I assume the Command Chair
with ice tea and shade.

While the kids love to come here,
to romp and frolic in our glade.
A hundred bucks worth of lemons
makes some mighty sweet lemonade……….

04/06/2010