Grandpa Jan's Visit, Part II -- Time with Grandpa

While I loved spending time with Dad after all these years, it was possibly even more special that the kids got to see him.  Elijah was extremely excited to see him, and even made him a sign to welcome him. 

As for Keira, she warmed up to him right away, which for a man is unprecedented.  Even more amazing, right after he walked in and hugged the rest of us, he knelt down, opened his arms and asked for a hug from Keira.  She RAN into his arms.  Seana and I were stunned speechless.  In retrospect, Dad and I decided that Skype may have helped.  Although, she'd never met him before, she'd talked to him on the phone and most importantly on Skype.  She knew his face and voice -- he wasn't a stranger to her.

Both kids loved spending time with Grandpa Jan.  Elijah so enjoyed his time, he didn't think he should attend school for the week. ;)  While he didn't convince us into a week vacation, he did get to spend time with Grandpa Jan after school and on the weekends.  One afternoon, he even had Grandpa Jan help him with his homework by listening to him read.

As for Keira, she had more hours with Grandpa Jan, but she had to share him with me.  :)  She loved playing catch with him, and would rope him into it most days.  She giggled through all the games with him -- she loved how expressive and goofy he is.

Grandpa Jan and Grandma Karen had the ingenious idea to send the kids' birthday presents ahead of Grandpa Jan so they could open them in front of him.  Keira got a kitty piano that both kids love and play with almost daily.  Elijah got Legos which are always a huge hit and get a big smile.