This evening, we said goodbye to three of our four grandkids. Our daughter Sarah drove up from South Pasadena to collect Luna, Nico, and Lyla. (Gregorio was busy at an all-day advanced training for soccer coaches.)

Ethan will be disappointed not to have his cousins around—he loves their visits to the orange grove. In fact, his parents discovered that all afternoon he’d been hiding their belongings so they couldn’t leave. His mom had to hunt down stashed shoes, water bottles, and other treasures before Sarah could head home. Nothing makes him happier than when Luna, Nico, and Lyla are here. Luckily, they’ll be back soon—or he’ll see them at their house—so he won’t have to wait too long to be with his buddies again.

All my grandkids are uniquely themselves, yet they share a wonderful sense of humor. We’ll see the Pacheco-Beaty crew again soon when they’re in Camarillo for a soccer tournament weekend. We’ll see Ethan again tomorrow.

Here are the four cousins lined up after ice cream—one last sweet treat before heading to the park to play, where Sarah will pick them up for the drive home. Liz and Ron will let Ethan play a bit longer to make his cousins’ departure a little easier.

I’m so grateful for this time with our family. I know just how fleeting these moments are and how quickly these little ones will grow up. I feel deeply blessed to have such love in my life.

A sweet goodbye: Lyla, Nico, Luna and Ethan