Karen Nazor-HillOne of the things for which I’m most grateful is that my three grandchildren – Tilleigh, 9, Evie, 5, and William, 3 – live next door to my husband, Hank and me. It means we get to see them all the time.
Our home is their home. Anyone walking into our house for the first time would think they live there. Their toys, their table and chairs, their bedroom, their dozens of photographs scattered throughout the house scream “children.”
But it hit me just recently when the kids were spending the night with us – they’re lucky to have us living next door to them as well.
The kids routinely spend the night with us on Wednesdays and every other weekend. Admittedly, it’s a little hectic on weekday nights with everyone getting home from work and school at the same time. Hank walks through the door and immediately starts cooking dinner while the rest of us get busy with homework, getting out toys, you-name-it.
We eat dinner together and have the conversations that I used to have with my family at dinner time: How was your day? Tell me something good about your day. By the time everyone shares their stories, dinner is over.
Afterward, the five of us typically congregate in the living room. And when an adult sits down, it’s a guarantee that at least one child will be in your lap and often three.
On the most recent Wednesday night, the children hung on their grandfather like monkeys. When he sat down, all three were right there with him. When he got up, they asked him when he would be back. For most of the evening, they stayed next to “Boo,” their name for Hank.
Hank and I are constantly telling the children we love them. And we’re a hugging and kissing kind of family, so there’s always a lot of affection on display. It’s a comforting atmosphere where the kids are the center of attention.
Our bedtime routine includes a bath, teeth brushed and getting dressed for bed. Then I read to them. Each has their own bed in the bedroom. The walls are decorated with their artwork as well as posters from their favorite TV or movie characters, namely Elsa and Anna from “Frozen,” “Spider-man” and “Jurassic Park.” And there are shelves of toys. It’s most definitely their room.
I read at least one chapter from a book each night they stay with us. Presently, we are reading “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
William is the only one who’s a little fussy at bedtime, so I snuggle with him a few minutes before he goes to sleep. Snuggling with the kids is one of my favorite activities. William attaches himself to me like a tick on a dog, wrapping his little arms around my neck and whispering, “Mom, I love you.”
Each of my grandchildren is equally as affectionate. It’s like we’re always having a lovefest. Sure, there’s moments of arguing and crying (yes, I can send them home – the beauty of grandparenthood), but it’s rare.
The bottom line is that the children give us as much love as we give them. Life doesn’t get any better.
Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfree press.com or 423-757-6396.