Gee, I don't really know what I can say that would be of some help to you Fiona. In my family it is sort of the other way around and MIL pays more attention to our three rather than BIL's little boy, but that is a whole other story I won't get into. It is such a tricky situation because you expected more, but didn't get it, but can't really complain becuase at least you got something sort of thing. Maybe she didn't want to risk sending money or something really nice in the mail incase it went missing? She might want to get something for Isla if they come to visit you?

I do think it is a bit unreasonable that they don't show more interest in what their grandkids are doing though.