This weekend we had a Dr. appointment near Grandma and Grandpa's house, and two of the kids needed some new clothes/shoes, and Uncle A1 and his family were moving. So, we made an overnight trip of it. Before we moved we were at Grandma and Grandpa's at least once a month, sometimes more. But we haven't stayed overnight much since. The kids were SOOOO excited to stay with Grandma and Grandpa again, it's their home away from home.
They enjoyed picking out their new clothes, but the entire day L was grumpy that we weren't at Grandma and Grandpa's yet. If we asked her something she'd say "No! Grandma Grandpa!" When we finally got there she kept shouting their names over and over and giggling. She ran inside, said hi, and then asked to go down stairs to get toys, ha! They all enjoyed playing that evening. Then next day Aunt SG and her son T came to play.
On the way home we stopped for ice cream, and everyone had a little nap. Next came my favorite part of the trip. We drove up to our house and the kids shouted "Hurray! We're home! They ran into the house and I hear little exclamations "I'm so glad we're home!" "I love our house" "Yay! Yay!" "I'm so happy!"
I'm so grateful that Allan and I have been able to create a safe and happy place for our children. A place that they want to be over anything else. There are days they're bored and crave an adventure, but home is their favorite place to be. A place they can relax and just be themselves without judgement.
I hope our home is always like that for them. And for anyone else who enters it.
