I have 5 Grandkids and when I have them it's the 4 youngest 9,8,4 and 11 months. Luckily the older ones help but it is tiring. I always have dance parties when they are over. I want to leave them with the best memories I can.
Enjoy your time with them.
Hugs, Sandi

My youngest grandson will be 11 this month. I miss having young ones, that get amazed at everything. My oldest will be 23 next month. 7 total, but now it's pretty much sports or them on their phones. Enjoy them now, when you can.

Paula

Oh those were the days to treasure. My sweet granddaughters are now 20 and 18. How they grew up so quickly baffles me, but I am so proud of what they are becoming. Young ladies already and in college. Sharon

NIcker- There are some acreage type places around the Boise area, so don't give up ! My grandkids are 19-18 so when I got remarried, ( we are the same age but his kids are 10 yrs younger than mine ) so I am getting a second chance at little ones and yes they wear me out! Keeps you young
Bonnie

My grandkids are 28, 20, 17,16,12.... My great grandkids are 7,6,4,1, twins on the way. Two of my greats that used to live with me. Were here for the day, about two weeks ago. There wasn't enough time to do all we wanted to do. I really miss them.
Sandee

Tomorrow kids parents will be here, we will go up to mts where his ashes were spread for 5 yr anniversary and than Sunday they will go home. I will rest good but also cry. Whenever I go to Boise I cry as I leave and cry when they leave. 6 hr drive is so far away for me to drive very often. But my problem is selling my place and starting all over in different area. They are young & have their own lives so I would be starting all over....sigh
BUT tonight I am pooped
A good pooped

I understand that distance thing way too well I live in Omaha and my kids and grandsons 7 6 3 and 20 months live in Pittsburgh Pa, it is a 16 hour drive, have not seen them this summer trying to reclaim my yard slowly, But will go for 2 weeks in October and then again at Christmas. Sure do miss my boys.

Its so sad. No one goes to visit my husband grave, but me. His kids, grandkids never visit. They barely visit me. Most live within 12 miles, but they go on with their lives and fly, and travel all over the US. It makes you re evaluate your importance in their lives. Sigh

I am raising two granddaughters (ages 10,11). I am so grateful they get to experience country life. They ride horses, take care of all animals (horses, cats, dog, chickens). They collect the eggs. They hike in the woods. I catch snakes, turtles and bugs for them. We live so far out in the middle of no where, I will never have to worry about what their doing. Worse thing ever happened-got lost in the woods but found their way out of it.
My step children have over the years kept in contact with me less and less. Now I only see them at family get togethers. That's ok, life goes on.........

i think i have enjoyed this post quite a bit. i do not yet have granchildren as my daughter is not married nor ready at 23 but i think it will be glorious to have grandchildren and cannot wait. So often there are mostly posts about our finding or not finding love but we love so many others in our lives rather than a spouse or significant other so the grandhild love is nice to read about

My grandkids (ages 2 and 4) and their parents just left my house after staying overnight in order to go to the beach today. Whew! They are heavy-duty little visitors. i buy them the type of toys they have to build and put together (like tracks with motorized cars that on on them), so house is always a mess. Dining room table always sticky.
I love getting to know them and see them regularly though. I used to live in a different state, so flew in for their birthdays or whatever. But now having them 30 min. away has been so therapeutic and fun for me. I don’t know if my daughter realizes how helpful it is for my grief recovery to “have to” babysit or cook for them!

I have a two year old grandson and three more grandchildren will arrive this fall. No one lives close to me so I will keep the road hot visiting everyone. The two year old is about to have twin siblings and will need lots of attention. I want to be an important part of their lives, but at the same time have my own life too. It is a very special time.

So glad you have had your grands visiting ! I love getting to spend time with any of mine.

My oldest grandson (oldest by 2 minutes) lol, is getting married in 10 days ! We've been planning it for over a year and a half. Will actually be glad when it is over ;). His twin brother got married in June -- and is having my first great grand in December ! The boys or young men now are 23. The one having a baby also now has a step-son that is 3, so, I guess I already have a great grandson! Geez! Time certainly flies!

Last night I sat on bleachers for 3 and a half hours to watch one of my grandsons play football! He is 14 ( will. Be 15 in Oct.) And in 9th grade. He has a sister who is a senior this year and is 17. I have another grandson who is 14, almost 15 (in 12 days), who has a brother who is also a senior and 17. These grands are all actually mine by default, not by blood, but they ARE mine!

My youngest daughter has given me a sweet little grand daughter, the only blood related one that I have. Of course, she is PRECIOUS to me. She is the only one with both Joe and my bloodlines, and is already 2 & 1/2.

I still love ALL my grandkids and spend any time I can with them. So, I know you have enjoyed them, even though I completely understand the tiredness after they leave. Been there and done that. LOL
Hugs, Joely

I'm glad you got to spend the time with your grandkids. I understand the distance factor too. My two (8 & 4) are only 2 hours away but I don't get to see them as often as I'd like especially now that school has started again. Seems they are always so busy with their lives but I guess our parents felt the same way. Spontaneous visits are nearly impossible so we have to plan ahead especially since my grandson splits his time between his mom and dad. His dad's family and his stepdad's family all live in the same area and I'm thankful they are all close by, get along well and are very active in kid's lives. One of the few things Capri worried about before she died was that the youngest wouldn't remember her. When I visited last weekend, I sat with her and looked at family pictures. She picked her GiGi out in every one! Capri surely smiled at that.
Hugs,
John

I lived in a different state when my grandson was born, so would fly in for his birthday, or whenever we could. But now that I live 30 minutes away, they've come to spend the weekend with me twice, and I go babysit every so often. Now I make them dinner (and eat it with them) every Wednesday, and do the dishes afterwards. it gives my daughter a break: it is not easy having a 4 and 2 year old! The grandkids know me and love me, and vice versa. We can count on spending all birthdays and holidays together now, which I love.
Before I wouldn’t know what to send them for gifts, but now I know what they’d like, and what size they are, etc. I don’t know if my daughter realizes how therapeutic it is for me to have them in my lives like this now.
“Grandmas have TIME...” This is a saying I once heard that stuck with me. In my case, it is true. (except when I’m trying to get dinner on their table). We can read them umpteen books, watch them play for hours...
I hope you will move closer to your grandkids, Nicker! I’m sure you can find things to do for yourself in a town like Boise: Meet Up groups, Book Clubs, exercise classes, educational classes...And you can cook and babysit for them if you want!