Hello Goodbye

Grandma left yesterday, boo hoo. Where on earth did that month go? It's like we pick her up from the airport only to turn right around and bring her back!

Meeting her off the plane from England is always exciting. Since Dash was about three he has always made sure we got flowers to greet her with (his idea, and he always reminds us).

As soon as we spot her the kids race over and fling themselves on her. There's hugs'n'kisses all round and lots of excited chatter: "Eeeeh! Haven't you gotten big??... "Grandma! Grandma! I can click!" "Grandma! Grandma! I can spell..."

And of course there's the surprises; Grandma usually brings one small bag of clothes for her and a big suitcase full of clothes & goodies for the troops

...literally it's like Christmas all over again.

It's great having Grandma around, that extra set of hands! It's like the fairies have come... folded washing magically appears on the end of beds; dishes magically do themselves; smelly nappies are magicked away...

Plus she is great company, and a pretty jolly good mother-in-law! She is fun and lively and is just what Grandmas should be: totally besotted with their grandchildren!

We snap pictures like Japanese Tourists, recording everything. The kids get used to smiling for the camera, even doing everyday things.

This visit she got to be here while the Scrag was learning to walk. So special. She just loves that baby; he is going to miss her so much. They are the best of buddies.

But the time goes too fast, before we know it the holidays have been had, the parties have been staged, the weeks have flown and now it's time to say goodbye again.

This time, the trip to the airport is not so exciting. We sit quietly in the car, thinking: "Just can't believe we are already back here!" There are more hugs, more photos, kisses and hongi's (Maori kisses, rubbing noses).

We all wave goodbye at the departure gate, blowing kisses until we can't see Grandma anymore, comforted by the fact that the next time we come back to the airport it will be us going on a plane to visit Grandma in England!

Bye Bye Grandma, we love you! We'll miss you!