DC

What could be better than visiting our nation's capital? What could be better than free museums, beautiful monuments, the Potomac River, fantastic shopping, and tons of restaurants? What could be better than viewing the White House, walking on the Capitol Mall, or visiting memorials? I'll tell you what--my family. My daughter lives here. Her, her husband, and my 2 oldest grandchildren. They moved there several years ago with the Navy and have stayed ever since. I hate the fact that they live 12 to 13 hours away from me. And yet at the same time--what an awesome city! If they can't live in Chicago near me, then what better city is there to live in? DC pretty much has it all.

I love visiting them. There's always so much to do and see. I love the laughing and the grandma, look at this...as they cartwheel across the lawn. Last night we bar-b-qued and ate outside on their deck. They have the most gorgeous backyard — the foliage in Virginia is beautiful. And it's fun to watch the kids play and enjoy their big yard. Also, they've got 2 huge golden retrievers that romp right alongside the kids--trying to be included in the game of catch. It makes for those great picture-taking moments. My 5-year-old granddaughter has even learned to pose!

Yesterday, they took us to Colonial Williamsburg. And although we were only there for the afternoon (one could easily spend several days exploring the region), it was awesome. We walked the old streets, had lunch at the restaurant that invented the dessert Death by Chocolate, and, of course, again took lots of pictures.  We bought snacks and trinkets--after all, who doesn't need a wooden rifle or an old-fashioned chalkboard?   Grandparents are always good for the fun stuff that parents are too wise to buy!

Today we went to our grandson's Little League game — once again, the camera came out. I think he's the best on the team and the cutest, too. He's a serious player, he's athletic like his dad and tender-hearted like his mom. His little sister was there, cheering him on while trying to catch butterflies and talk her mom into one more trip to the snack bar. We had lots of fun--and his team won!

I know that soon it'll be time to leave. I'll be choking back tears as we head to the airport. I won't see them again for 3 months, but to me, it seems like 3 years. I'll miss them, and they'll grow like weeds, and their little personalities will continue to develop right along without me.  It makes me sad — not being there. I'm convinced that they have each grown 5 inches since I last saw them just 4 months ago.

It's strange, really--I love watching them mature and develop and become wise little people, but then I want them to go back to being my little grandbabies again. Maybe because I know that one day they won't think the visit from grandma and grandpa will be such a great thing.  In fact, we'll be the ones holding them back from hanging out with their friends — no, you can't go; your grandparents are visiting. Be quiet, they'll hear you! That is one of my biggest fears. Maybe one day they won't want me. So, it's important to me to squeeze in these visits to imprint the memory of me on their brains.  And one day, when they are grown, and I am gone, they can look back over this blog, and they can get to know me all over again.  And remember when...