@Liv
In a way I do Liv, having had my grandies living here for two years (2016-17) we built up a collection of toys which we were bequeathed when the kids headed back east again.
Children are happiest and most content when they have something new to play with. And the effect on parents is dramatic when the children are out of their hair for a while.....we can be absolutely guaranteed of a great review.
We are not a child minding service Liv but we do miss our grandchildren and we get a kick out of seeing guests kids happy.
The one thing that most children who come here will remember for the rest of their life, our dog Betts goes out for a walk and to chase the ball each day, I let guests children come with me, and I let them ride on Ade's gopher. If they are too young to handle it themselves I let them stand on it and push the forward/backward paddles while I sit on the seat, at the ready to avoid any problem. If they are old enough I just walk beside and let them pilot it themselves.
Can you imagine what a thrill a 4-5 year old gets being able to zoom themselves around? And along the way they get to throw the ball for the dog to retrieve.
We have had a few who have said they didn't want to leave, and desperately wanted to hug the dog before they left.
Having children around brings the youthfulness back into our lives again. Once they get a bit older things like driving the gopher don't fall high on the 'must do' list but, by that stage they are more content playing 'dungeons and dragons'....they are less effort to please!
Cheers.......Rob