Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Leaping Lizard Under the Cushion

Yes. Leaping lizard under the cushion. How could this happen? A normal evening of household chores turned into a momentary frightful experience.

Being a Mimi to Rowan and Eden brings many unexpected surprises and joys. Those two sweet children sometimes ask to take toys from our house to play with at their home. Bop and I always say “Yes, if it’s okay with Mommy and Daddy. Be sure to bring the toys back.”
Sometimes a teddy bear stays at their home and other times, a bear or doll baby will make the return trip in the car to the home of Mimi and Bop.

Having fun items to play with and make unique creations is fun. From modeling clay to blocks to bubbles and more, there is always something special to do at our home. Bop and I enjoy playing as much as the kids love to play.

After Rowan and Eden have left to return home, clean up time begins. Glancing in each room, I often notice paper, crayons, markers, stickers and other things we have used for making pictures. Another room sometimes has toy cars, plastic dishes for playing restaurant, baby dolls and a toy stroller so Eden can be the Mommy, and plenty of dinosaurs and sharks for Rowan to be a paleontologist and a scuba diver. Yes, the imaginations of children are inspiring.

On a recent evening, the house was quiet as the children had left for home with Daddy and Mommy. Bop was taking the trash bag outside. I noticed the couch cushions were crooked. Deciding to lift them and arrange the cushions and pillows so everything would look nice, I reached down, pulled up a cushion and…

I screamed. “Yikes!!!” My high pitched scream and what I saw caused me to jump back. There, sitting under the cushion was a lizard. The thing looked real and actually wiggled when I moved the cushion. Then, I realized the creature was yellow and not a real lizard.

Sweet Rowan had hidden a squishy toy lizard under the cushion. I’m not sure when he hid the lizard, but the thought of how long the toy had been hiding under the cushion made me think. When was the last time I had looked under the cushions?

After I calmed my breathing and knew the lizard was not real, I began laughing. Bop had no idea that I had been scared by a toy lizard. The evening continued and I shared the story with Bop.
We both laughed and shared how happy we are to live near our grandchildren.

I’m thankful that the lizard in the photo above was not the one under the couch cushion.

God gives us the gift of laughter and the ability to find joy in everyday moments. Have you laughed lately? Share your story in the comments.

Have a blessed and laughter filled day,
Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

7+
30 Comments
  • JD Wininger
    Posted at 14:13h, 27 October Reply

    I couldn’t help thinking, “Better Licky than Grumpy” my friend. I think my last laugh was watching a video of a mini donkey trying to climb over a wooden fence. It ended up doing a somersault over the fence. I laughed so hard that tears formed once I knew the little gal was okay. Animals of all kinds can make us laugh. I’ll save my “Mavric the Bull” story for Bop (Alan).

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 14:21h, 27 October Reply

      Hahha! You make me laugh. Animals truly are amazing. Animals and children always find ways to provide laughter for others. Yes, Bop will be interested in the “Mavric the Bull” story. haha!Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Carol Souders
    Posted at 14:43h, 27 October Reply

    Wonderful joyful story. We went upstairs to the third floor recently and in Poppy’s office we found a note on the whiteboard “Ryder was here.” And a great drawing of a fisherman and a shark. We had to smile. Even while he is far away he brings joy for us. Grandchildren are wonderful.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 14:51h, 27 October Reply

      What a wonderful and precious surprise to find from Ryder! He is awesome! Yes, even when our loved ones are far away, they bring us joy. Thank you for reading and commenting. 🙂

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 15:18h, 27 October Reply

    Too cute!!! Laughing at silly things is one of the things that brings me the most joy. I hope I can always hold on to that. Life can feel so serious, but kernels of joy and light are all over the place. We just need to see them. 🙂

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 15:47h, 27 October Reply

      Thank you Jessica. Yes, those kernels of joy and light are everywhere. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Craig Ruhl
    Posted at 15:33h, 27 October Reply

    Laughed at this story… we had several small lizards (skinks?) in and out of the house this past summer. Fast little critters! Glad yours was a toy.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 16:24h, 27 October Reply

      Glad you laughed at the story. Yes, those lizards are fast critters. I don’t want them in the house. haha! Have a blessed day!:-)

  • Diana Derringer
    Posted at 15:55h, 27 October Reply

    Reading your posts almost always bring a smile (or a laugh in this case). Thank you for sharing joy from the mini moments and people in your life.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 16:00h, 27 October Reply

      Diana, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. There’s always something to laugh about around here. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Janet from FL
    Posted at 16:23h, 27 October Reply

    Sometimes little lizards get in the house, and they do sometimes make me jump! Glad yours was just a toy. Grandkids do bring laughter and surprises in with them!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 16:25h, 27 October Reply

      Yes, those things make me jump. I don’t want them in the house. haha! Grandkids are wonderful. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Ava Pennington
    Posted at 13:19h, 28 October Reply

    Yes, laughter is indeed a gift!

  • Barbara Harper
    Posted at 17:48h, 28 October Reply

    Funny! It’s always interesting what we find where when the grandkids leave. Once I found a whisk in the printer tray.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 19:47h, 28 October Reply

      Hilarious! I love the adventures with grandkids. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • T.S. Cook
    Posted at 20:57h, 28 October Reply

    Great story! I don’t have grandchildren, but I do see lizards quite often where I live. LOL We brought one in the house once after shaking out our camping blankets. Yikes!! And for some reason, they like hanging out by our entry door in the garage. Like, “Hello! Let me in.” LOL
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:25h, 29 October Reply

      Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Yes, those crazy lizards like to hang around our garage door, too. I would have screamed if I found one on a blanket in the house. haha! Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Nancy E. Head
    Posted at 01:55h, 29 October Reply

    My kids’ toys fooled me more than once too. Great adventure, Melissa. God bless!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:20h, 29 October Reply

      Children are the best at giving surprises. haha! Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Karen
    Posted at 05:48h, 29 October Reply

    What a fun story, Mimi! I’m sure you were frightened at first–I would’ve been too! My funny stories happen around the dinner table. My daughter Meg has a wonderful sense of humor, and she keeps us in stitches! As my mother suffers from dementia, she usually says something that is confusing, but we’re able to laugh with her. Laughter is the best medicine, right? Blessings, dear friend.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:21h, 29 October Reply

      Thank you Karen. Yes, laughter is truly the best medicine. A sense of humor helps us all. Blessings on you and your mother and your whole family. Hugs. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 16:06h, 29 October Reply

    I’m pretty sure that I would have screamed, too. A lizard under the cushion would be quite a shock, even though I do live in lizard country and watch them when we’re outside. INside would be way too much lizard!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 23:02h, 29 October Reply

      Haha! Yes, there is a place for lizards and it is outside. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend!

  • Yvonne Morgan
    Posted at 21:25h, 29 October Reply

    I can picture the scene in my mind as I laughed along with you. Laughter is truly a blessed gift from God. Thanks Melissa

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 23:02h, 29 October Reply

      Yes, laughter is truly a blessed gift from God. Amen. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 01:29h, 30 October Reply

    Fun post and story, Melissa. I guess the lizard did look real at first since it seemed to move. My grandson Foster recently ran in the door to tell me to come outside, he was in a wooded area with his sister an my husband and they had found a small snake. And it was real. 🙂 Love your adventure stories.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 14:26h, 30 October Reply

      Oh my goodness! I don’t like snakes at all. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Joanne Viola
    Posted at 10:27h, 30 October Reply

    Your home sounds like our home 🙂 Our granddaughter always has to bring something home from our house. We all always laugh at what she selects as it is always random. There is a joy that fills our hearts as we watch our grandchildren each week as the relationships truly are so special. Enjoy every moment!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:18h, 30 October Reply

      My husband and I love finding special toys and crafts throughout the house. We never know when a note of love or something else will be found. Those things always bring smiles. Have a blessed week! 🙂

Leave a Reply to Craig RuhlCancel reply