We've enjoyed having my Mother- Father- and Sister-in-Law visiting from Vancouver for the past 10 days. I am blessed with amazing in-laws, a gift for which I am often thankful. It has been so nice to have the house full of people, all enjoying each others company over the past week. Jeff dropped them off at the airport early this morning, and the house seems suddenly empty in their absence.
We had a great time hanging out together over the past week. We had a fairly leisurely pace, but still did a lot. A few trips were made to Stony Swamp to feed the birds ... this time to the trail beside the Wild Bird Hospital. There were a number of walks around the neighbourhood, some with Maya riding her bike. Jeff, SIL and I went out to Saunders Farm for their haunted activities one night. My parents came for dinner one night, and we ordered in Chinese on another night (I'm embarrassed to say we were finally checking out our local Chinese Take-out after 3 1/2 years in the neighbourhood!) My MIL helped me sew together the curtain panels we'd purchased for Maya's room. In the midst were the usual routines of school and swimming lessons, of course. And the culminating point, yesterday, was the joint birthday party for the girls; Maya turned 4 on Thursday and Chloe turns 1 tomorrow, so we had the whole extended family over for a birthday lunch complete with hot dogs and 2 birthday cakes.
It is a joy to watch my children with their Grandparents. My father-in-law in particular absolutely loves babies and small children. His mission on this trip, following Chloe's first steps last week, was to teach her to walk. Within the first 24 hours he had her taking 2 or 3 steps at a time from the coffee table to his arms and back. By last night she was regularly taking up to 5 or 6 steps at a time, sometimes un-coached and we can truly say she is now walking. My MIL is so gentle with my children, and they both clearly love her. Did I mention how blessed we are?
The girls have loved having so many adults available to play with and entertain them and I foresee some Grandparent withdrawal over the next few days.
It sounds like a wonderful time was had by all. These are the memories that will stay with you forever.
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