Tour Guides

I am missing my parents after a trip from them to our home. Sheeeeesh! How's THAT for getting old?

Now that they are home and the family and I are reflecting on the visit I can positively say that having them here playing with my kids (and thus skipping out on all the usual touristy stuff) was a great idea. And also it appears I've done some growing up since the last time someone came to visit us. How can I tell? Well, I let the babies do exactly what they wanted to do instead of getting all self-conscious and suggesting we do something more widely acceptable (and sure to bring on a temper tantrum from at least one of my two kids) like driving up a 14-er or looking at quilt museums.

I know! I'm wicked and perhaps guilty of not being a bend-over-backward-for-my-guests hostess. But, I feel that when grandparents are involved, it's the safest bet. I'm also not feeling one ounce of guilt about the money I spent shopping because I was shopping for my mother (man did she find some good stuff) and though I did splurge on myself, it was tempered compared to what I'm actually capable of.

The best part about having your parents/grandparents come to visit, not once did either my mother or father look at me and go, "Really? You want to go to a park and follow around two smelly boys?" and that is perfect.

Acceptance for your boring, I-just-want-to-be-with-my-kids behavior. That is essential to all good families and family visits (please note I did not accidentally call it a vacation).

PS -- My kids are missing them, too.

PSS -- Cooper-ism: While eating snacks today he ran around the ottoman then ran back to the snack bowl and said, "I was just going around the block like Grandpa's race car."