I got back a few days ago in the wee morning hours changing from 3 hours later in Canada to California time. I flew from San Jose to Chicago to Ottawa, Ontario Canada to visit my daughter, son-in-law and two darling grandkids ages 2 and 5. Never mind the long flight with delays, airport change and reroute through Dulles, arriving six hours late. Seeing family was worth it all.

Even though I arrived late in Ottawa, I got through customs quickly and retrieved my checked bag then texted my daughter and she picked me up out front of Ottawa Airport around midnight. I was a zombie and she was an exhausted young mother. We hugged and chatted after she put my bag in the back of the car. Got settled in the guest room at their house and woke up the next day, October 11 to chattering grand kids with high pitched voices and giggle’s galore. They talked to me as I came out of my room and showed me Legos and toys and books and they made me feel right at home. They were adorable. Amelia talked a lot more with complete sentences since I had last seen her in June in Portland and Sun River, Oregon where we met up that past summer. She had really grown.

After a delicious Sunday breakfast, Sam and Caitlin started finishing up some prep work on dishes for Canadian Thanksgiving which they were hosting the next day, Monday October 12. They both worked well together making food like green beans, two stuffings, one regular and one gluten free and our family favorite “potatoes supreme” one of Gram Halla’s recipes. I kept the two kids occupied video taping them while they stood up at the top of one flight of stairs, then threw their toy parachutes over the railing. They had fun doing it over and over. Amelia had trouble at first then got the hang of it throwing the parachute up so it could fill with air before drifting downstairs and over the railing. They had fun and I loved every minute with them. Gimmy was happy seeing her two grandkids. It was a happiness surge. Grandkids have this special effect on grandmas. It’s like a shot in the energy level, even though you’re a senior, they turn you into equals expecting you to just keep up with them running, jumping on the beds, throwing toy parachutes and retrieving toys left in corners and nooks of the three story house their parents rent. Never mind that you go up the steep stairs then come down down two minutes later. “Come on, Gimmy!”

The Sunday went by quickly and we walked down to the lake a couple blocks from their house to a summer snack shack. We had Chicago dogs and burgers and potato salad. Then they worked most of the day preparing food for their Canadian Thanksgiving meal. They got the kids bathed and in bed but the two year old is very difficult getting settled and to sleep and wakes up all through the night off and on. I heard them a bit since I had the guest room but used ear plugs and took Motrin Sleep. Being Gimmy, I needed my sleep for the next marathon energy filled Thanksgiving.

The dinner looked delicious and about 13 of us sat around the big dining room table with a neighborhood family of four dropping by before we ate to visit with their two kids, a bit older than my grandkids. They should’ve stayed to eat with us but they left.

I got to meet a lot of Canadian relatives of my son-in-law. They all brought food so the table was jam packed. There was a lot of talk going on and laughing and eating. I felt right at home. The Canadian relatives made me part of their group in a warm, welcoming way.

We had a good Canadian Thanksgiving and I enjoyed meeting all the relatives and neighbors who attended the feast. It was fun.

The next day I went with my daughter to drop Amelia, the two year old, off at daycare and then we walked Everett to kindergarten. Next we walked to Starbucks and I bought us drinks then we got hot bagels from a popular bagel place. It was a another great day.

We walked home and rested then picked up the kids and played like well, kids. Watched cartoons and had chili for dinner with chips and salsa and sour cream. It was delicious. My son in law is a fantastic cook.

On Friday my daughter and husband had a surprise for Aunt Gayle and me.

After they took me to the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Ottawa with Aunt Gayle for a high tea. It was incredible.

My entire visit was wonderful. I got to go see Everett at swim class and violin lessons. He was so ready to learn. I read to them and enjoyed being a kid with them. It’s exhausting but exciting. The grandkids were the best.

Maybe I’ll act like a two year old when the doctor or dentist give me instructions. “No, I don’t want to!”