Making Memories With Grandkids summertime from different directions and distances. But Grandma Judy and Grandpa Dick decided it would be good for them to spend time together and bond as cousins by being together for four or five days. “So, it was basically a long weekend, a fun time, no parents allowed and we would go pick them up and take them home,” Stratman said. At first the get-together was just the five older girls but eventually the smaller grandsons soon figured out whatever was going on at grandma’s house, it was fun and they wanted to be part of it. Eventually the grandsons decided to be brave, outgrew their shyness and took a chance of being away from mom and dad for a few days. Now the Stratmans have 11 grandchildren but a couple are much younger so unfortunately, they missed the fun. Every grandparent weekend had a theme so the first summer getaway was Butterfly weekend. Stratman, being sort of a DYI person herself, had supplies for the grandkids to make glass butterflies and a trip was planned to the Butterfly Museum. The last big decision for the weekend was to plan next year’s theme. For another year, Wildflower weekend was the theme and Stratman sewed wildflower aprons for the flowerchildren but the fun was only beginning. The kids planned a menu for one meal and everyone was part of the planning. Stratman said the food was crazy because every grandkid picked their favorite food. Macaroni and cheese were always at the top of the list. The cooks, of course, were the kids and Stratman’s kitchen was a mess but no adults were allowed. The grandchildren handled everything. The grandparents were formally invited as guests and the dining room was named Wigwam café complete with hosts, hostesses vBy Aimee Huntley and waiters and waitresses. If a grandparent was alone, they had to a pick a date and Stratman remembered one year, her mom, great Whatever happens at Grandma’s house, stays at Grandma’s house. grandma Dorothy was invited and she picked Stratman’s brother That pretty much described the Grandparent weekends Judy Denny to be her date. Stratman hosted over the years with several of her grandchildren. 6”x48” planks about a lifetime stress-free warranty, Another special weekend filled with lots of memories was dabbed as “When I started this grandkid weekend with15 years ago, I laid glamour weekend and the girls down someto coordinate with today’s décor and to stand up to all of life’sdressed up. There was makeup to put ground rules,” Stratman said. “No parents allowed was the designed messes. on each other and Stratman treated all the girls to a trip to a beauty big one and the kids had to follow grandma and grandpa’s rules.” salon to get their hair done. After they did glamour shots. Even the Stratman remembers the kids always liked to come in the gton.com | 1.800.356.6787 ©Floor Designs Copyrighted by Mannington Mills, Inc. ®©™Mannington Mills, Inc. 2016 Adura ® LUXURY VINYL TILE | PLANK Featuring a wide array of styles, designs, and possibilities, Adura® combines the look of real wood or tile with the exceptional durability and performance of a premium luxury vinyl ?oor. Larsen Carpet Laminate | Porcelain | Resilient | Hardwood Retailer Imprint 6”x48” planks with a lifetim designed to coordinate with today’s déco 208 Walnut|605.665.2067 Historic Downtown Yankton mannington.com | 1.800.356.6787 14vHERVOICEvNOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 Retailer Imprint mannington.com | 1.800.356.6787 Retailer ©Floor Designs Copyrighted by Manning