The boys fidget excitedly on the wall next to the run way. Lego Boy is first to spot the plane coming out of an enormous dark thunder cloud. Nannie and Granddad will have had a rough ride up from Lusaka in that tiny plane.

The boys jump down from the wall and start running towards the runway until a porter stops them at the gate. Jumping up and down to see Middle man shouts “My Nannie, my Nannie it’s my Nannie”. To say we have all missed family is a massive understatement but husband parents are now in town for 2 weeks and we want to make the most of it!

First mission was to get all of us and the luggage into the Beast. They had bought over gifts and supplies for us and the whole neighbourhood. Having been here before Nannie let granddad go in the front. You could see the look of surprise on his face as we travelled passed the bustling market, rundown buildings and chaos the that is the town centre.

We decided to head to the club for tea as it was late and the power was out at home. A little bit of a negotiation at the gate but soon enough we were all sat round eating food and catching up on family news. It was so easy, so relaxed, so familiar and so comforting.

Lego Boy and Middle man loved the attention… “Granddad come see the slide… Nannie watch me jump…” but Baby Blue was weary. He was 4 months when we left the UK and had no recollection of his grandparents. This was one of my main fears about leaving the UK and family behind. Would the older two maintain the special relationships they had with the grandparents, and would baby blue build one?

Over the next couple days my fears diminished, the big boys still loved having their grandparents around. They built Lego models, read books, did painting, played outside, baked cakes, swam at waterfall, and searched for the giraffes and zebra. Lego boy even took them to school as his show and tell.

Baby blue also became more confident with the grandparents as the days went by. Their daily walks around the ring road trying to get him to sleep became a routine. I felt honoured to watch them set off with my tired baby mumbling “nan-nan-nan” too return with my sleeping baby. This time is sacred. (Plus I got some time off :))

On the first Sunday of visit there was a mud run at the golf estate; husband had signed himself, granddad and the boys up. It was already hot when they set off running around the obstacle course. I can’t believe Lego Boy and Middle man needed convincing to get muddy! They usually have no concerns about it when it’s not encouraged?

A couple of days into their visit Baby Blue was standing at the coffee table when he just let go, turned and took 2 steps towards the sofa! His first steps! Nannie and Granddad got to see his first steps! All those months and miles apart but they happened to be here for his first steps!

Towards the end of the grandparent’s trip we decided to take Middle Mans stabilizers off. He came outside and noticed his bike… I was expecting a tantrum but no. “Hmm no small wheels, let’s try it” he said hands on hips. So granddad held the bike while he climbed on… and he was off! First time with no problems at all! 

All to soon it was time to say good bye. We had loved showing them our new home and I think they approved of life we are creating for our boys (despite the snake in the garden and our friend getting malaria).