Dear Liza,
OPKS stands for Other People’s Kids.
One of the best things about holidays is visiting family. This year the Druedings are in three different cities while Grandpa Nelson, Auntie Bridgett and I are all together, visiting Auntie Bridgett’s family in San Diego.
Also visiting are adopted family Chris, Yuki, and their kidlets, which means when we are all together there are four children age 5 and under. That’s a lot of energy! Last night when we were all together, the kids were arguing about blocks, crawling under sofas (but that was my doing, really) , and making noise for noise’s own sake, as kids do. 
In my teacher’s heart, I knew this was the sort of evening that happens in houses with small children, that should happen. But in my RETIRED teacher’s heart, I realized it was way more noise than I was used to. Let’s face it, for six months I have had exactly as much peace and quiet as I wanted.
Sigh. The desire for quiet while visiting homes with small children is a natural, unavoidable conflict. So, for the next two days, I will be conflicted.
My father would say it is probably good for me. I will try and see it just that way.
Love,
Grandma Judy
