A Grand Reunion!

My in-laws are in town!  It's been a reunion long time coming. We had become used to seeing K's parents about quarterly, either with their visiting us up here including to cover childcare breaks, and a trip or two down south to Orange County per year. My mother-in-law lived with us and provided months (Iver for about nine months, Niall for about three) of exclusive childcare in their lives as infants, and as a result, has an incredible bond with both boys. Due to COVID, the last time we saw them was at the end of Februrary 2020 (pre-pandemic). The last time they were here was almost a year and a half ago, in November 2019!  They've missed the boys (and so many of their milestones) as well as our Humboldt weather so much. We'd cancelled a last-summer trip to OC for my father-in-law's 70th birthday, and didn't feel comfortable with having them travel before we (and they) were fully immunized. Thanks to the medical miracle of vaccines, they were able to feel safe coming up to spend a couple of weeks here (and we, despite the unvaccinated munchkins, felt comfortable enough allowing it).

Iver was so excited for their arrival on Saturday (he told us, when we told him we may have future visitors this spring-summer "Just tell me the night before! I won't be able to sleep because I'm so excited!"). Despite the kids' usual bedtime being 8 p.m., and my in-laws' flight from LA due to arrive around nine, Iver begged us to be able to stay up and wait for them (and even go to the airport to pick them up). Both boys actually wanted to make the trip and, given the special nature of this year and this reunion, we allowed them the privilege (knowing that our lives, at least when it comes to the kid that doesn't nap, may be a bit more challenging the next day due to exhaustion and meltdowns). We requested that Iver try to sleep for an hour before they arrived (and he did since he was so motivated!). His behavior was predictably rough today; however, it was still worth it.  The glee in their eyes and those first hugs were magical! 

Iver had made them this cute "Welcome" sign.

 Hooray for their favorite horsey!

It was a lovely Humboldt Sunday to take the grandparents to their favorite outside spots.

 Houda Point

Moonstone Beach 

   

  

Jumping for seeing-grandparent joy!

Who knew that, for fourteen months, hugging (or even seeing) your grandparents would become such an elusive (sadly, forbidden) thing for young kids?  It's precious to have this privilege back and it felt... surprisingly normal.  We're so happy this day has come.