Nancy couldn't bear being separated from the Gkids for a month, so we drove to Baltimore for her fix.  Once there, I was so impressed by my wife's love and skills with our grandkids.  She has a gentleness and engagement that I tend to miss in our day-to-day interactions.   She throws herself into engagement with the kids, playing on the floor or repeating some endless mnemonic they chant.  She is emotionally available to them.  Why didn't I know?  When we were child rearing, I had two jobs during (she had the kids and one PT job).  I took the kids at lunch.  When I got home from work, if it wasn't too late, I played with them. 

Now Nancy is planning the much awaited visit, going absolutely purely overboard.  Every moment in the house is a chance to clean.  Trips outside are interrupted by yard sales looking for toys and quick visits to toy stores.  Our mantle has fish shaped holiday lights.  Our front door has party balloons.  The breakfast table is loaded with party napkins, plates and utensils.  There's a ridable tractor in the entryway and wrapped presents on several tables. 

10 minutes of grandkids
dervishes of chaos, higher energy level, take dog's toy, fall off couch, tap keyboard, touch oven door, water down front of shirt, food over face and chair, stuff food in mouth
questions: can I, see, touch, eat, go, have.  fall down, decide (cry on not), get up.  dance, display, headstand, walk down stairs, take of pants,

After the Festival parade, during dinner, I asked the kids what was their favorite part of the parade. Telisho gave me a food sated glazed gaze and said, "Avocado."