there is a reason

There is a reason why people have children when they are in their 20s or so.  It's exhausting work, fun but exhausting.  For the last two days and two nights I have hosted my nephew, his wife and their four children (ages 12, 10, 6 and 3).  We had a lot of fun, they are wonderful kids (and their parents are nice too). We explored Science Central, learned about 3-D printing at the library, played Jumping Monkeys and hung out with lots of other family members.  I have a lovely, two-bedroom apartment that always feels comfortably large to me, until you have 16 people milling around, eating, drinking and talking.  It was wonderful family time, but I must admit, when my nephew and his family left this morning, on their way to a new job in Virginia, I walked back into my apartment and savored the silence.  They may come back to visit this summer so we can go to the zoo.  I think I'll be ready by then.