sharing grandparents.

It has to be said that it is no fun sharing the folks. We used to have my parents all to ourselves since my brother did not have any kids yet. We were able to see them the majority of the visit and my brother would visit with them here or we would go see him for a day. It was so great to have them here playing with the kids and visiting with us.

Now my brother has a daughter. We have to share and we do not like it. It takes away our time and not only that, but we do not necessarily get prime babysitting time. Whichever of us asks first gets it. For example, New Year's Eve. It did not occur to me that I would have to ask my parents to be here and go to the neighbor's party with us. They have gone every year with us that they have visited. Usually my dad comes home early, so if I really wanted I could ask him to listen for crying kids while I stay at the neighbors.

This year my brother and his wife have asked my parents to babysit for their daughter (my beautiful niece) for New Year's Eve. This automatically puts me out of any possibility of staying out past 8:30. I should get home earlier if I want the night to be a little easier. I guess it is best as I should go to bed and get a good night sleep.

I'm not bitter. I knew one day I would have to share. And I am thrilled to have a niece to love and squeeze and spoil. I just liked having my folks to myself. In the end though, I would not trade my brother or his family for anything. I feel blessed to have them in my life. Even if I do have to share the grandparents.