Bonus - GD1 and GS1 will start piano lessons given by a teacher at their school at the end of the school day, starting later this month. We are excited about that. DDs began piano in 1st grade. GD1 is starting 2nd grade and GS1 is starting 1st grade. I believe the teacher will be able to do them both together in a keyboard room - DDs actually started in a keyboard class and eventually went to semi-private and then private lessons as kids dropped out. DDs continued piano lessons until 10th and HS graduation (10th grader didn’t have time to practice) - they loved their teacher and still get together with her for coffee when they are in town.
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Leaving this week for a family event in OH–post-wedding celebration with H’s sisters and their families who couldn’t attend our D’s wedding in May. Looking forward to seeing my 4.5 yr old granddaughter who tells me on Zoom that she’s 4 1/2 but really like a 5 yr old!!
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DW and I are day 23 of a 28/29 day road trip,which is the longest we have gone without seeing GS. We have had a short video chat every day which has been great
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The grands got their teacher/classroom assignments for the upcoming school year.
Everyone got the teacher they were hoping for.
GS will be with the same teacher Twin B had last year. GS did 2 weeks of summer daycamp w/ her leading his pod and they really clicked with each other. I think it’ll be a good match.
Twin A and Twin B will again be in separate classes. (School policy to separate twins; also D and SIL wanted them separated.) Classmates from the preschool classes have been remixed and some new students added. Twin B and her bestest buddy did end up in the same class, though–which made her very happy.
There’s going to be another set of twins in the JK this year–so that should be interesting. There are now 4 Lilys in the JK (up from 2 last year in PS)–that ought to be confusing. And one of the new JK kids has the same name as Twin B. They’re also in the same class. But Twin B is a girl and the new “same name” is boy so I don’t think anyone will get those two confused. (At least I hope not!)
Vacation at the beach next weekend, then school starts the Tuesday after Labor Day.
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I am taking GD1 to a ballet in NYC in few weeks. She has always admired my ballet flats. I asked D1 if I could get GD1 a pair of of ballet flats for the show. D1 at first didn’t want me to get them because they were not good for kids, but she relented if I told GD1 they were only for special occasions, like a dinner or show.
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‘Katie’ was a popular name when DD2 was young - there was a Katie, a Katie M, a Katie Ma, and a Katie S in her kindergarten class of girls.
A friend had a really neat visual which gave the most popular girls’ name in every state from I believe like the 1950’s to present - flipped along fast, but you definitely could see some regional trends.
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GS (and his parents) moved away this morning. It is hitting me harder than I thought it would. He snuggled me so much when I said goodbye and we played our mirror laughing game. The GREAT news is that we get to see them for lunch next week when we drive to take DS25 to college.
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That must be heartbreaking. But nice you’ll see them soon.
Granddaughter and her mom are flying in tomorrow for a long weekend. I can’t wait to hug them both.
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S1, DIL and the two grands were here for five days a few weeks ago. Both of the kids were very sad to say goodby. (They live a short plane ride away.) Luckily I’ll be traveling to see them at the end of September. I decided several years ago that because my kids and grandkids live far away, traveling to them is going to be the top priority for my discretionary spending.
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Curious if you all -wait to be invited -or announce you are coming -or ask if you can come -to your grandchildren’s (and adult children’s) home? Especially if in another city/geographical location
Ask if we can come and decide on a time line together.
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We are invited to come to help cover childcare from before Christmas to New Year’s since they moved in 2023. Neither can take enough time off to cover the older kids off from school.
I suggest when I can come and help, and then we work things out. I suggested I come and help in Sept, and lo and behold the baby can’t get into daycare until Sept 29th (was to start Sept 2), and DD1 has to return to FT work on Sept 2nd. So my visit is a Godsend, and I will leave once the baby starts daycare. I will be useful with chores as there are 4 older children.
In the past, I have suggested that I could come and gave a suggested minimum of 2 weeks due to flying and convenience factor also making the time worthwhile. SIL was away helping his parents for that time frame. Another time I came as SIL was away for Army promotion/training.
With DD2, we usually discuss what is going on with her - when she wants to visit us and when it is good for us to come. Once, DH traveled down for a football game with her.
In March, DD1 had me come before the older two were off for spring break, and she was almost to term with baby #5 (born the end of March). DH flew in for the baby’s baptism and we flew home together the first week in April.
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Your D and SIL are very fortunate that you are able and willing to travel to them and help cover the childcare gaps!
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So far we’ve always helped move so don’t need to be invited the “first time” at any place, if that’s what you’re asking :).
Generally speaking, we have several predictable times we get together, and we negotiate where we will get together. Sometimes there are random invites, and recently I encouraged son to invite my aunt and uncle to see their place before they moved away (far enough they likely wouldn’t drive for a meal). But they have said we are always invited/welcome, which is nice.
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My husband commented to me this morning that he missed the grands…
Horrors, we have not seen them for 2 weeks! First he was sick, then their parents decided to take a last minute “OMGschoolstartsinaweek” vacation. Will be seeing the little peanuts next weekend! 
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I usually wait to be invited or I will ask when is a good time to come because both daughters have demanding careers that require them to work nights and weekends. Really don’t want to be an additional burden on them. I also want to be able to spend some time with them, not sitting in an empty house while they’re working or day-sleeping.
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I thought you lived with them?
Or am I mistaking your situation for someone else’s?
Do now live with one daughter, but only for the last 2 or so years. I used to live a in city that was 12 hours from one kid, and 10 hours from the other.
And it’s now a 5 hour plane flight (if I’m lucky enough to find a direct flight) to see D2.
I always check if it’s a good time before planning a trip. Girls have to work on nights, weekends and holidays on irregular schedules. D2 works on an 8 day cycle which I can never keep track of and D1 only gets her schedule (which is never predictable) 2 months in advance. #doctorlife
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I always have to check before I visit my children. They are 5 hours from each other. If one is available the other is busy. It’s hard to coordinate.
With 2 kids and 2 spouses, one grandchild, the adults with jobs, a couple travel, a couple take call, one has to request PTO 6 months ahead of time and takes call.
And then there is the cute little germ factory to throw a wrench into any carefully crafted plans.
It’s not just the doctors who have complicated schedules.
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Our almost 4 yo GD, S & DIL live 500 miles/8 hours from us, and we are very fortunate to have a standing invitation to come stay with them at any time - which we do every 2-3 months. We coordinate schedules to some degree, but also let them live life while we are there. Sometimes if they have an event like a wedding, instead of coming a different time we’ll come and be their babysitter for the event. Our goal is for our stays to ease their burdens, not increase them. We do all the daycare drop-offs and pick-ups while we are there, take GD to the park so they can have some down time, and keep up with house chores while they are at work - we’ll do all the dishes, empty DW, light vacuuming, GD’s laundry, and make dinner on work evenings. H and I are semi-retired and can work remotely from their home during the day, or we may go on a day trip adventure while they are at work. Their house is perfect for this arrangement, because their bedrooms are on the first floor and the guest bedrooms & bath are on the 2nd floor. There is also a den/playroom on the second floor. So we are not on top of each other and we can give them some space while we are there. GD loves when we come visit, and it’s great to have the immersive time with her. We are so grateful that DIL values our our presence in GD’s life and graciously welcomes us into her home for week-long visits!
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