Things We Do With Gram

Ryan's folks journeyed all the way from North Carolina to visit us last week. They had a wonderful and joyous time with Rylie and they like to let us know that Ryan and I are not half bad either. They make it out here at least once per year and we try our darndest to get East as well. This visit felt different and like we had reached an important marker, as Rylie really took to them. She was eager to leave me behind and head off to the park with them all by herself. This is the first time they were solo with her. During our visit this past summer at Lake Winola, Rylie was at the height of separation anxiety, cutting teeth and in the midst of a 2 week vacation away from home - a lot to handle for her at 12 months old. During that trip she did not want Ryan and I out of her sight. But this visit, this visit brought many delights.

Grandma Scott arrived with handmade goodies for Rylie's dollies.

and she came with crayons (she really knows the straightest route to Rylie's heart!)

There was drawing to be done . . .

and music to be made . . .

and stories to be read.

And when you are learning the concept of balance, who is a more patient assistant than Grams?

The role of grandparents in Rylie's life has increasingly been on my mind lately. I was extremely close with my own Grandma growing up, we spent countless days together coloring, playing games, cooking. It was valuable for me to have a close relationship with someone so wise and experienced and I want that for Rylie too. Still, not a day goes by that I am not reminded in even the smallest ways of my Gram. She was a very special person in my life. As was my G-Pa.

To watch Rylie bond in this way with her Grandparents was such a treat, and with the help of Skype, I know that she will remember them the next time. Ryan's brother and family live out here too, and I know that it is hard on the Grandparents to be so far away from all of us. As it is now, we have to travel great distances to get to each other. Ryan's folks are in Coastal North Carolina and my family is in West Michigan. Not easy trips in any direction. It is a struggle and one that we talk about a lot. Until we figure it all out, we cherish and relish in these visits and enjoy every last little bit becasue they are too few and much too far between.

Thanks for the visit Grandma and Grandpa Scott! We miss you already.