A visit to the Virginia House, as my grandsons call our home here, is a treat for everyone—parents get some rest, kids get lots of attention (and vintage toys to play with), and grandparents get plenty of hugs. We also get to experience our familiar world through fresh eyes. We visited the Zoo, where new pandas reign and a small farm with cows, alpacas, and goats captured the enthusiasm of the two year old. We went to the Air & Space Museum, where the Mars Rover enthralled the five year old. We spent time in the garden, where touching a wriggling worm set off a burst of giggles. And we took a nature walk through the park on a bright, cool day, watching out for poison ivy. “Leaves of three, let it be,” we chanted, but the older grandson found plenty of examples of three-leaved plants that needed qualifying. His favorites were the jack-in-the pulpits, many of which were blooming right next to the poison ivy! The curiosity and enthusiasm of children never stops. I’m always exhausted after they leave, but it’s because I’ve been paying attention—to them and to the world around me.