Omi and Abi (my parents) returned to Chicago, leaving us Monday afternoon and, by the magic of international date lines, arriving in Chicago Monday afternoon as well. Maybe if you kept flying to England could you go back in time??
Their three week long stay gave me a reminder of what we’re missing by living in New Zealand–grandparents for the kids.
During their time with us we took a Southland trip down to the green rolling Catlins coast (southeast corner of NZ), then back up through the dry tussocky center of the country, and round-about Christchurch on day trips. I’m hopelessly behind at posting pictures of the trip, and life marches ever onward as Milo started big kid school yesterday and Naomi started preschool today.
So…I’ll make this a brief “Ode to Grandparents,” and return to trip specifics and requisite scenery portraits in due course.
Grandparents are great, because…
Grandparents still love you after you’ve bitched and moaned the whole walk up the hill. Yep, that’s a genuine gripe on Milo’s face.
Grandparents don’t get bored with hours and puddle play at the Moeraki boulders.
Grandparents insist on civility in binocular turn-taking.
Grandparents like jumping on the trampoline as much as their grandkids.
Grandparents don’t get tired of hide and seek at Castle Hill.
Grandparents don’t mind being silly.
Grandparents chase waves in and out and in and out and in and out and…you get the picture
Grandparents wrap you up when you’re cold and tired.
Grandparents tuck you into bed for nap time, and then take a nap themselves.
Grandparents play tag on the beach.
Grandparents share the little moments of the day, and still love you when you wreck the puzzle in a temper.
Grandparents admire your self-applied make up.
Grandparents let you hide duckies down their shirts!
Grandparents laugh as they smell thyme-scented gourmet bunny poop.
Grandparents pick you up out of the mud while mommy’s busy taking photos.
Grandparents share their love of music with you.
And Grandparents share their breakfast chairs too.
Grandparents know how to look up answers to your questions on wikipedia.
Grandparents make mundane tasks like pooping and bathing fun.
And these grandparents just traveled a LONG way to share all these little life moments with their grandkids.
What I’m trying to say is that Grandparents are wonderful because they UNDERSTAND kids, their needs and foibles. They enjoy the kids for who they are, in and out of their ages and stages. They have FUN with the kiddos.
Give It A Burl 
Aw, shucks!
How beautiful! As a grandparent I can’t imagine not seeing my babies on a regular basis….your pictures are precious……
Pure LOVE! I’m so happy they made the trip and obviously had a wonderful time! Hope you all enjoy settling into a new phase of daily school life now.
Wow! How I wish they were mine! You are sooooooo blessed Molly! Glad you had a great time 🙂 Love Teena