A few weeks ago, I got a call from my mom telling me that they were starting to plan their trip back from FL to RI. They wondered if it would be OK for them to stop here on that long journey back. I was ecstatic. I knew that when they stopped here on the drive down it was very much out of the way, but a nice break for them and a nice treat for us. I also knew that the drive back would probably take a more direct route so that they could make better time and just get home.
So I got more and more excited as the few days before their arrival counted down and we could see them again. As I mentioned in our
Florida trip post-I didn't know when we would see my parents again after we left them in FL, so this unexpected trip surely brightened my day and fully removed that pit I had carried with me in my stomach from our trip. They arrived on Sunday afternoon and stayed until Thursday morning. It was a great little treat to have them with us, and with us during the week. We have been very busy with making plans for daycare for Jack and Will for when I return to work. We toured a facility the previous week with Jack and Will in tow. The staff was very welcoming and understanding, but it was hard to get all our questions out and remember the answers as Tom and I swapped holding Will and keeping Jack quiet and on his best behavior. Kay Kay and Bampa's arrival was perfectly timed with tours I had already set up. In addition to their babysitting duties they both enjoyed many adventures through the backyard and the neighborhood with Jack. The weather cooperated and it was hot and sunny. Each night we would get hit with a crazy thunderstorm that drove out the high temperatures and swept in a nice cool evening to sleep to. Once again, Jack enjoyed having other people to entertain and take on his adventures. Will showed off his 2 top teeth as they continue to descend as 2 jagged little spikes into his mouth. He showed off more walking and his own sense of adventure by climbing and then falling down the stairs while no one was watching. Oops. A quick hug and he was ready to try it again. Our little daredevil.
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| Bampa explaining to Jack all he knows of Radiator Springs |
CRAFTING TIME!
I took full advantage of my mom being here and enlisted her to help me with some projects I have been working on. I got a sewing machine for my birthday that I recently took out of the box and set up. I needed her expert opinion and tutelage on how exactly to work it. Over the years I have tried out sewing for some small minor projects under my mom's watchful eye. We have made small baby quilts and skirts and other little projects. I always had her right there by my side for when I would mess up or have a machine malfunction. I needed her to give me some basics to get me through on my own. I enjoy creating things and having a project to work on. One of our projects was taking a Curious George crib sheet and making it into a pillowcase for Jack. Now Jack and Will each have some Curious George for their beds.
When my mom first arrived and I showed her the project I had been working on-a little girl's dress for a friend. I was very careful, very slow and needed a lot of encouragement that I was doing it right. I had read the manual front to back for the machine as well as the pattern instructions I had picked out. I had the tools, I lacked the confidence and the experience to know that I was doing it right. My mom is so good with the sewing machine and I am sure she had a few chuckles to herself as I worked ever so slowly on my pieces. She would take over for a minute and have the thing zipping and singing away. By the end of their trip, I was starting to feel more confident and would let the 'feel' of the machine and the fabric take over a little as I put two pieces together. Moving faster, but still in control. I even learned how to use a very tight zig-zag stitch to use on appliquéing.
One of the projects that I had envisioned was a birthday outfit for Will. My friend Lauren recently created a super cute onesie and tutu for her daughter, Anabel, for her first birthday. It inspired me to make something for Will. If only I could make something like a tutu...but I don't think Will would like it or Tom would approve. Before my parents arrived, I decided I wanted to do a theme for Will's birthday in order to help me focus more on an outfit. I want to incorporate one of our favorite books-The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, into the party. I found the most adorable fabric online that is from the pages of the book. Unfortunately I needed it much sooner than I could get it from online. The next challenge was finding a shirt to put my caterpillar and number one on. Kay Kay made a pattern for me of the caterpillar and the one and we took it around from store to store to find the perfect shirt. I had an image in my mind of what I wanted and I just couldn't seem to find anything to work with that. I did not want to use a white onesie because I don't like the neckline. I wanted just a white t shirt. I could not find a plain one in smaller than 2T. I started getting frustrated. At last, on the sale rack at Carter's I found a blue and white stripped boys shirt/short onesie. It had an alligator on the chest, just the right size to be covered by my appliqued caterpillar. I incorporated the alligator's little legs into ones for my caterpillar and added a few more of my own. I added a red polka dot one to the back like a sports jersey number. I LOVE IT! I am so proud of my work and know that I could not have done it with out the help and support of my mom and the inspiration from Lauren. Pictures to come. :)
Kay Kay, Jack, Will and I ventured to the zoo on a chilly and rainy morning.
The Greenville Zoo, is downtown and very small. We arrived at just the right time to see the animals and leave before the rain really started and the crowds of out of school kids arrived (it was school vacation week).
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| 2 teeth popping into view! |
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| LIONS |
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| PEE A BOO |
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| WEEEEEE |
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| Kay Kay and her boys |
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| Kisses |
When we got home, the rain held, but the skies stayed cloudy. Kay Kay, unable to keep still, took to my over grown gardens and made them presentable. Bampa joined in too, while Jack and I worked on a little garden by the mailbox. Jack showed off his pedaling on his tricycle too (all while wearing his super hero cape). Tom and I enjoyed a date night, some quiet adult conversation and cocktails with a nice meal! On their last night in town, we headed to downtown Greenville to our favorite restaurant spot-The Carolina Ale House, followed by an ice cream treat at The Marble Slab.
Thursday came quickly, of course, and the car was packed and off they went. Heading from the warm sunshine back to a bit cooler weather. I know that the past 2 months have been long. I know they were ready to get back home to Contour Road, but we will miss them so much. I loved having the opportunity to cook for them, take walks and chat, work on my projects and have a little shopping buddy too. I loved watching them play with Jack and Will. I am sad, but the pit is gone. I know we will have another trip to see one another soon. I get excited to share with them all that has changed with our boys, but also what has stayed the same. I know that this is the reality of living far away. We take the opportunities we have and make the most of them. We don't let too much time slip by before another visit. We count down days until we are all together again and we make special phone and Skype dates to show off new tricks.
PS. We miss Annie's attention to Will during mealtimes-my kitchen floor is getting dirty under the highchair. :)
