family.

my dad was here for about 5 days last week.  it was wonderful.  lately i've only been able to see him about twice a year and our last few visits were pretty short so it was nice to have him here for a decent chunk of time.  avery was in love with having him here.  she loves to boss people around and grandparents seem to be the only people who will put up with that nonsense.  i always wonder how she'll do with family since we don't see them very often.  i think the last time she saw my dad was about six months ago, which is a long time in the world of toddlers.  but she picked right up where they left off.  when we got home after picking him up it was her nap time and she kicked me out of the room because she wanted grandpa to put her down for her nap.  

one of the positives (there aren't many) to having family live far away is that you don't take the little things for granted when they're around.  watching them read a book together or watching my dad hold ellie is pretty amazing because they never get to do those things.  unloading the dishwasher with two hands is also pretty amazing.     

i can't say we did that much when he was out here.  we never really seem to when people come because we're usually pretty content just to enjoy the company.  they made an airplane, drew a lot, read many, many books, face timed with grandma (which avery always monopolizes), and went to the playground.  i also drank hot coffee and ate a hot dinner every night.  usually charlie and i will take turns with holding ellie and if he's not around then i usually don't even bother with putting food on a plate these days.  but my dad held ellie a few nights, which meant i sat down and ate dinner with charlie and avery.  it's the little things, right? 

avery went down the BIG slide at the park for the first time.  i was pretty impressed. 

i've had people ask if it's hard to not have family around us while we have kids.  and i always say yes it's really, really, really hard.  it's hard because i don't feel comfortable leaving my kids with strangers and i would love to enjoy a brunch with charlie every once in a while and it's hard because i love our families and i wish they could be a bigger part of our kids lives.  it's also hard because avery (and ellie soon, i'm sure) loves her grandparents and aunts and uncle.  and every time we drop them off at the airport after a visit she cries.  that part is very, very hard.  but i am so thankful for FaceTime which really has allowed her to know each of them better than what she would if we were just talking on the phone.  and i really cherish each day that we get to spend with these people.

thanks for coming dad.  can't wait to see you again soon.  and i think that house is still for sale.