By, Nan Claire Falkner
Ashley’s ears popped on descent and Keith smiled at her –“We’re almost home!”
Thirty minutes later, they pulled into their driveway. The kids, a 3 1/2 year old tow-head boy and 1 year old girl with an infectious smile and a fresh, lumpy surprise for the next changer of her diaper, ran toward their parents.
“Mommy – Daddy, I found treasure in the mud!”
Looking down, Keith took the offering from his son. It was a diamond.
“My lost earring!” Ashley squealed.
Keith looked at Grandpa who was holding the garden hose which had made the Earthy concoction and laughed “Arrrrrrrrr!”
nanclairefalkner 
Grandpa can’t handle “lumpy surprises” very well, ha.
Thanks honey, lumpy surprises are always there! Men 🙂
Back to the kids, a lost earring found and a “lumpy surprise” – quite a home-coming!
Dear draliman, I know – I sure had a hard time coming up with something this week – but, Pax to the rescue! Thanks, Nan
Oh, if only someone would find a ring I lost several years ago! Such a lovely story, Nan.
Dear Dawn, True Story: When we lived in Mission Viejo, California in 1981-1982, I took all four kids to the school skating party and lost my diamond out of my original set. I cried and cried – Mike was out of town, and he told me to go get a new diamond (he didn’t say what size) so I did. Naughty me – but the same thing happened when we moved to Lenexa, KS – but I found it in the turkey platter on Thanksgiving. Change of tactic, change prongs to white gold (stronger) and the rest of the ring is 18K gold which is so soft I could bend it with pliers. So, I was thankful. Did you lose it near a turkey or a skating rink? Boy I do run my mouth don’t I? Sorry. Nan 🙂
THAT is a story, Nan! Unfortunately for me, my ring was never found… wasn’t my wedding ring, but a very special ring with 6 diamonds. It meant a lot to me, and just vanished!
Kids and lumpy surprises seem to go together, Nan! What a nice homecoming. Great thinking outside the box story, too.
Dear Amy, I was over at Keith’s & Ashley’s the other day and the 3 year old had this shirt that had a treasure map on it and he said to me “Nana, there’s treasure outside”
So – that’s the back story. The baby is walking now and has 3 toothies. (I have 13 grandchildren). Nan 🙂
Awww, that’s wonderful! They must keep you mighty busy!
Arrrrrrrr!
Guess the diamond more than makes up for the lumpy surprise. Just the right mix of sweetness and humor here — loved it 🙂
Dear Blog It or Lose It, Thank you so much for reading my story! The back story is above under Amy Reese’s reply. Have a great week! and Thanks! Nan
I also hope you have a great week 🙂
Nan, Such a fun story about your wonderful family. Loved it. Well written. Thanks, Ann
Dear Ann Melinda, Thank you so much for stopping by and reading about your niece and grand niece a grand nephew – your grandchildren are just as adorable – as you well know. Thanks to the BTSE (best twin sister ever). Nan
Nan, this is a wonderful story of coming home to whatever awaits – and loving it all.
Dear Alicia, Thank you for reading! I know it’s fluff – but the back story is in Amy Reese’s reply above. I wrote 4 stories this week – one was about the left wing in politics and I thought I better not go there. I usually sit on the right side myself! Thanks, Nan
Dear Nan,
Such a nice thing to find in the mud. Not so much the lump in the diaper. 😉 Nicely done.
shalom,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle, Thank you for reading – you have a beautiful granddaughter with a climbing dog and I think of her and how cute she is! Grand-kids are the icing of life!
Thanks Rochelle, your little Miss “O” is so adorable too. Thanks for the picture prompt too!
ha! love the contrasting homecoming gifts…smelly lumps to precious earrings. delightful mixed plate for sure. 🙂
Why, thank you Sun. Mud and boys and treasure go together as do babies with 3 toothies and smelly surprises! Thanks, Nan 🙂
Oh how lovely 🙂
Dear Shailaja, Thanks for stopping by – I wrote 4 stories this week, but by happenstance, I was at their house the other day and Mr. “P” had a blue treasure map on and little Miss Lumpy Britches, had a 3 tooth grin! Thanks, Nan 🙂
I love your postscript to the story even more, Nan ❤
What gifts! Lovely story, Nan. 🙂
Dear Joanna, Thank you so very much! I certainly enjoy your writing! Nan 🙂
Lovely story. But what an efficient airport! And close to home!
Dear Patrick, Yes we have one of the quickest in and out airports in the country. It has always been a drawing card to Kansas City, I think – however, the “Powers” in charge, want to combine all 3 concourses into 1 and I’m not so sure. People in High Places don’t always make good “lofty” decisions! Thanks for reading! Nan
Two surprises, one a lot more pleasant than the other. 🙂
Dear Sandra, Thanks for stopping by – I wrote 4 different stories this week, but the shirt made up my mind when I was there this weekend. Thank you Sandra, Nan 🙂
Lovely to find such treasure! What serendipity, Nan! 🙂
Best wishes for us to discover such diamonds!
Very different take on the topic 🙂
Dear Anita, Thank you for reading my story and commenting! I love the word ‘serendipity’ – it’s a happy word! There is a back story on Amy Reese’s reply (above) and I know this is just fluff, but I had fun doing it. Thanks! Nan 🙂
Lumpy surprise? Thankfully that part is over for me now. Gem of a story.
Dear Subroto, Thank you so much for reading and commenting on my story. I love your “gem of a story!” Very witty of you! Nan 🙂
Nan, That was great. Just like a treasure hunt; the diamond not the diaper surprise. 😀 Funny and well-written. 🙂 —Susan
Dear Susan, Why thank you! I wrote 4 stories this week and was over at their house last weekend and Mr. “P” showed me his treasure map shirt he was wearing. He was so proud of it! Thanks for you kindness! Nan 🙂
Lovely family story, especially finding the ‘treasure’
Dee
Dear Dee, Thank you for reading my fluffy story this week, I couldn’t resist after Mr. P showed it to me last weekend. There is a back story on Amy Reese’s reply above. Thanks! Nan 🙂
Ah, yes. Kids and vacation. Love that title, too! Very good, Nan!
Dear Kent, Why thank you so much! I know it is a “fluff” story but he had this treasure map shirt on the other day and he was so excited about being a pirate. Thanks, Nan 🙂
Fluff has its place. Sometimes it is a nice alleviation from all the melodrama, murders and love stories we like to write about a lot of times on this blog! 😀
Weighing anchor, matey, arrrrr!
What a home-coming! Love the understated description of a lumpy surprise. I’m sure Mum will be happy to oblige now she has her diamond back too. 🙂
Thanks Sarah Ann! I wrote 4 stories this week, but my grandson showed me his new treasure map and that’s the direction I went. Have a good week! Nan 😉
And all this time I thought the treasure was in the diaper. Silly me.
Nice surprises, lumps and all!
Lily
Great story Nan!
Wait a minute! That’s my ring. I lost it at their house. Give it back!
ohh… how lucky, i never get back a thing that I Lose or drop 😦
<a href="Tina from The Sunny Side of Life“>Tina from The Sunny Side of Life
Such a sweet and nice story, so beautifully put together.
The “lumpy surprise” had me laughing, too, as did the closing “Aarrrrrr”. This is such a fun little story. Well done!
Stake at the ready for Raynard – Al and I have fun with this adventure.
Thanks for stopping by.
Nice to have Parents who will take the grandkids – I’ve got mind a 4 and 1 year old during the day for most of the week. I haven’t done an overnight…yet. 🙂