Life in Exile- Part 2 - Fun with Yaya and Baba

While this was going on at home...

...THIS was going on at Yaya and Baba's:

That's right...we were having a ball on the second leg of our life in exile.

There was a lot of music and learning and reading going on!

Julia, one day I decided to use Yaya's xylophone to teach you a song. You were way excited, and wanted to learn more and more!

Aidan, you got the reading bug in a BIG way...something clicked with you and you wanted to start reading more and more, and reading bigger and better books. You exclaimed "Dad, I'm a reader now!"

We spent my birthday playing, playgrounding, and Sweettooth Hoteling... and velvet tacoing...

We sang songs, we playgrounded more, we comic booked, we hung out with Yaya and Baba...

Lots of art and notes were made and received too...including these love notes to you, Julia!

These puppets by you Aidan...

And this request from a homesick you, Julia. (note: you did ultimately support me and Mommy going on a date)

Julia, you worked night and day on that frog, and Aidan you worked hard to master the art of the jetplane. 

We did a puzzle, danced about, and had some chess challenges:

All in all, we had a lovely time with your lovely Yaya and Baba...

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up our belongings, our chess set, wash up and head home...

While it was lovely to return to our own home, we'll never forget the fun we had living in exile.

Grandparents

We are blessed to have Yaya, Baba, Mimi, and Pops all here and actively part of our lives in Dallas. You spend a lot of time with your beloved grandparents and have real, true, lasting relationships with them. Sleepovers, dinners, swimming, field trips. These grandparents do it all. And managed to still find time to spoil you too!

Here is a slap-dash but heartfelt poem about these four amazing people, based on one short weekend's adventures with them

Grandparents are great for holding your hand to get lemonade from a stand

Grandparents let you feed their fish over and over again:

Grandparents buy you ribbons, and trinkets, and markers:

Grandparents play ball, and don't try to win:

Grandparents come with you on a moment's notice to go (again) to the aquarium:

Grandparents have change and, if you ask, it's yours:

 Grandparents hold you hand as you walk to feed the manta rays:

 Grandparents may be slow, but they're full of exciting nights and days:

 Grandparents love crocs and plaid, and care about what you care about:

Grandparents don't mind being silly, just for a laugh:

And grandparents will always, always give you a smile:

They're with you when you bike:

And they still treat at the Popsicle shop (and get one for their sons too):

The world is a better place because of grandparents ... and you!