With the promise of spring continually thwarted by cold temperatures (and with some of you posting pictures of park days and blooming flowers  to taunt me), these last weeks are pushing me dangerously close to the line between sanity and insanity.

Thankfully, we have had a few moments of reprieve in the form of visits from grandparents.  This past week happened to contain back-to-back visits from both sets. Like spring, grandparents have a wonderful way of bringing joy and happiness to the whole family.  The kids love the treats and surprises they know will be found in one bag or another; I love the break from the daily grind of keeping little minds occupied and content; and my husband loves getting a happy wife and (usually) the joy of eating out.

What I noticed with the latest visits (since I actually had time to breathe and notice the world around me) is the joy I received from watching my kids soak up the love and adoration of their grandparents.  My own experience with my grandparents was good, but the relationship was different due to language and cultural barriers.  Even though this generation of grandparents live in other states, my kids pick up with them as if they have never been apart.

I am so thankful that my kids are able to have such a wonderful relationship with their grandparents, but I am especially thankful that the grandparents came before the men with the white coats did.

Photo by Gaetan Lee