Shabbat with Grandma and Grandpa!

Grandma and Grandpa are visiting from New York, and tonight we had a lovely Shabbat dinner with them. Rachel insisted on opening the door and greeting them when they arrived, and they brought lovely presents -- candle holders for us, a delicate little sweater and a box of colored pencils for Rachel. She was delighted with both.

Over dinner they asked about Rachel's school, dance class, swim class, etc. And when it came time for the grownups to get caught up on our lives, Rachel very patiently ate her chicken, Mommy's homemade challah and her carrot. She asked very nicely if Grandma was going to get the first slice of pie (really, Rachel wanted to be the one who go the first slice) and seemed gratified when we all told her it was OK for her to get the first one. And then everyone waited to eat dessert until I said it was OK.

Rachel loved the pie. She even tried some whipped cream!

After the grownups resumed talking again, Rachel very politely asked if she could be excused, then got out her princess coloring book and her new colored pencils. Then she colored a picture and showed it to Grandma and Grandpa. Drew was very impressed.

Grandma and Grandpa left while Rachel and Drew were doing Daddy Books. When she came to say good night (I was in the kitchen cleaning up after a long, tiring day of cooking), she started sniffling.

"Grandpa and Grandpa are leaving on Sunday!" she said, and then the tears changed to real crying.
"Why are you sad, sweetie?" I asked.
"Because I don't want them to leave!!" she answered (meanwhile, she had asked at dinner when they were leaving, and I was so embarrassed that I gently told her it was rude to ask guests who'd just arrived how soon they would leave).
"Why don't you want them to leave?" I asked.
"Because I love them!" she whimpered.

I drew her onto my lap and urged her to tell Grandma and Grandpa that when we go to the children's museum tomorrow. Just in case she forgets...you read it here. She also was upset that she forgot to show you something she'd made for them , and I promised to remind her to bring it.