Grandpa's Darling

Jim leaves to go deer hunting early tomorrow morning and will miss not only his birthday, but Ada's as well. She'll be two on Friday; he'll be some outrageously large number on Monday!

So last night Ada's mommy and daddy (Jim's son and d-i-l) met us for dinner so we could have an early family celebration. Jim had bought a set of matryoshka (Russian nesting dolls) while we were cruising in Alaska just for this event. Ada has a very orderly mind and manner, and in no time at all had mastered putting them back together (with only a very little help from Grandpa).

I do love to see Jim with Ada. She is his only grandchild, and they adore each other. When Grandpa is in the room, Ada has eyes only for him, and he for her. Jim and I were already seated when the kids arrived and Ada was a tired girl, having not had a very good nap yesterday. So although she wasn't her usual smiling, bouncy self, the minute she laid eyes on Grandpa she made a beeline for him, climbed up in his lap and gave him hugs and kisses. It was a beautiful thing to see.

Everyone should have at least one person who adores them, no questions asked. Clearly, Grandpa and Ada personify love and devotion!