Where did Grandma go? In the eyes of a 3 year old

O.K. to tell this story I need to give some background. My husbands mother, Barbara, passed away suddenly December 5, 2011.She was only 52 years old. She was sick, but her death came as a complete shock and horrific suprise. She went into the hospital Sunday morning around 6 am and passed away monday morning at 3. So, my children were obviously upset. Unfortunately, they had just lost our family dog,Princess, about a month before. So much of the talk of what happened, where she went, and why, had been explained. But we all struggled. My son, Luke, who is only 3, obviously took it easiest and we kind of assumed he was so little he didn't understand. A few things he has said but nothing of any significance until the other day.
Tuesday, 1/16, Luke was watching cartoons. All of the sudden he walked over to me and said, "Mom, where's Grandma?" I asked, "Which grandma, bubby? Gigi?" "No mom! My grandma who died." I looked at him and thought, I told him didn't I? I know I told him many times Grandma is in heaven. Unsure of what he wanted I said, "Grandma is in heaven buddy." He looked at me like I just didn't get him. "No, mom! I know she is in heaven with Princess. Where is heaven?" I looked at him and sighed, "Heaven is in the sky." "Oh, o.k." and back he went to playing. I thought that was the end of it until tognite.
It was late tognite(1/17) and both of my girls were sound asleep. I went back to check on them and Luke was laying in his bed wide awake. He asked if he could lay on the couch in the living room with me and go to sleep. I said of course and helped him carry his pillow and blanket to the couch. Luke laid down and was quiet for a good 20 minutes. All of the sudden his little head popped up and he said, "Mom, where is Grandma?" My stomach sank. Here we go again. I told Luke to come sit by me. He walked over to me and said "Mom, she is in heaven with Princess and Santa right?"
"Yes baby." I quietly answered. I didn't know how Santa got in the mix, but there he was. "And heaven is in the clouds right?" "Sure baby." I replied. He seemed to be satisfied with that answer. About 10 minutes later he threw me another one. "Mom, can you talk to God?" "Of course baby. When we pray we are talking to God." "Oh," was all he said. Then he looked at me with these deep blue eyes that pierced through my heart. "Mom, can we ask God to send Grandma and Princess back home? I miss them." Just typing this, the tears are back. But this is how I responded. " Baby, when we die we go to Heaven to be with God and Jesus because that IS our home. Our new home." Luke looked at me and these words will forever be burned into my heart. "I just want Grandma to come and get me ice cream. I just want my Grandma back. " Barbara's special thing with the kids was ice cream. That was their special treat.
Tognite as I get ready for bed, all I can do is pray that Luke finds peace in my response. "Grandma will always be with you. Everytime you eat ice cream or give grandpa a hug she is there. She may be in heaven, but she loved you so much you can feel her love, even though she is far away. " Luke gave me a kiss, (ok so I asked him for one, he didnt volunteer it) and then laid down. Just when I thought he was asleep, he looked at me and smiled and said, "Mom, grandma wants you to give me some ice cream. " I laughed and said "Maybe tomarrow honey."