Things 1 and 4

Thing 1 and Thing 4 visited last night. The eldest grand selected "Thing 4" because his outfit came with four digits 1–4 and 4 was the closest to 5 (his age). I love how kids think.

Thing 1 thoroughly enjoyed being Thing 1 and told me that Thing 1 didn't feel like cleaning the house so Thing 1 was leaving. (Seems to have been stuck on speaking of himself in the third person.) He emptied all of his candy into mine in a reverse trick or treat. The face he's making at the miniature Kit-Kat almost says Do I have to eat the rest of that? Wish that I had a similar problem.

Notice the pumpkins? John used his drill to create polka dots and to spell out the grands' names. What a blessing he is to these boys whose own paternal grandfather died long before they were born. They adore him and he thinks that they are mighty fine, too.

In my own childhood and into my 30s, I was blessed with a "substitute" grandfather. He could not have done a finer job of grandparenting if he had been a blood relative. He was a gentleman, polite and quiet, and one with whom I felt perfectly at ease. I could listen to him play his violin for hours and be content. Though a man of few words, he gave wise counsel when asked. He loved his garden allowing my sister and me to join him there and teaching us about the earth and the plants. He loved making us little trinkets and toys and would happily play "Go Fish" or teach us how to for real. Even now, I sometimes often find myself missing him.

Do you have some special people in your life who, though not related, are family?