Grammy and Grandpa came to visit North Carolina to celebrate two little kids' birthdays with us!
These kids were so elated and happy to see their grandparents. Once Grammy and Grandpa arrived, we never saw these two... they just wanted to play and spent time with their grandparents.
Within moments of arriving, we were spoiled rotten and my parents went shopping for us. I won't tell you the total of the bill, but this food lasted us for well over 2 months. I could have cried with their generosity. I am one very lucky girl!
The first week that they were here, Michal and I took care of countless (and endless) doctor appointments, dentist appointments, kids appointments - basically, if there was an appointment to be made, we took care of it this week since we had free babysitters at our disposal.
In the meantime, we hit the park during the warm afternoons for a chance to get out of the house and let the kids get some energy out!
And while we were stuck inside on cold days Grammy was such a good sport and played "Dress Ups" with Lily. I'm not sure why, but as of late, Lily's favorite past time is to undress and redress herself into as many outfits in as little time as possible. (Either that or trying to put on as many clothes as physically possible). Personally, I was so grateful that Grammy was there to entertain Lily and play "dress ups" with her over, and over, and over again.
Grammy also made the time indoors memorable by making cookies with Lily.
Lily just loves to help out whenever I'm in the kitchen. It is one of her favorite things to dump ingredients into the mixing bowl, to crack the eggs, to sift the flour, or to roll the cookies and then proceed to decorate them. It gives her this utter sense of importance and accomplishment. Meanwhile, I was able to get a lot of cleaning done.
Round 2 of cookie making...
In the meantime, Grandpa took the job of reading to Lily and Marco. Their new favorite pastime has been being read to, but sometimes I get tired of reading the same book for the twentieth time.
While my parents visited, they quickly found out how tiring it can be to watch two little kids. They were often caught sleeping by Lily. She was more concerned for them than anything and wanted to make sure that they were covered up and had a blanket to keep warm. At first I thought Grandpa was faking it to see what Lily would do, but when I realized that he wasn't faking it, but really asleep I was surprised that he wasn't woken up by Lily climbing up next to him and laying a blanket on him. It's not like she's very sneaky and quiet in the process of trying to help.
And Grammy loved putting Lily down for nap time. She even got caught several times falling asleep with Lily. Grammy awoke because she was all wet from Lily sweating so much in her sleep.
What the kids enjoyed more than anything was parading Grammy and Grandpa around town to their favorite places. Lily wanted to show Grammy the bunny store, but I was slightly weary about Marco's reaction to the animals. Any concerns I had were quickly abated when I saw how much he liked the bunnies and tried to get a little too up close and personal with them.
One thing I was extremely grateful for was the hour before bedtime. In my opinion, it's the hardest hour of the day. Kids are tired, and ornery and hard to please... but with Grammy and Grandpa around, the hour before bedtime quickly became a favorite time to get any last play time, cuddles, kisses, and attention from their grandparents.
Life wasn't that mundane the whole time they visited. We did make an effort to get out and play and do things with the children that involved Grandparents.
Lily especially wanted to take Grammy to the children's museum and show her where she "shopped" and played.
Grammy was such a good sport to tag along. She even encouraged Lily to try new things that she had never "played with" or "interacted with" before.
And this is one of my very favorite pictures of all time. Not only did she encourage imagination and exploration at the Children's Museum. She got in on the action and participated in the adventure with Lily. She brought the story to life and made imagination an exciting game.
And "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" wasn't the only stop on the imagination train. Their next stop included a puppet show. First Grammy gave the show, then Lily took over and presented her unique puppet skills.
And we couldn't forget the story time room where Lily put all the dolls to sleep by reading them stories, making their beds, rocking them, and pushing all the buttons for such "soothing" sounds to fall asleep to.
Our last stop at the Children's Museum was the snow place - where kids take off their shoes and can slide around on the ice, throw felt snow balls, create a fort, and even decorate Olaf.
Marco even got in on the action...
One of Grammy (and Lily's) favorite activities was being dropped off or picked up from preschool. When it was Lily's turn to go, she'd run to the door and yell, "GRAMMY!" And then proceed to hold her hand and show Grammy the way to the car parked out in the parking lot.
I was dying to introduce my parents to 'The Lazy 5 Ranch,' however, the ranch is closed the first two weeks in February due to immunizations for all the animals. So, lucky us, minus one day - my parents missed the whole window while they were closed. And dang it, it was hard figuring out other fun adventures to go and see for the first time. However, we were given a suggestion to go to "Hillbilly Hideaway." Here is a true southern experience. Live music, no ordering - just southern food brought out to your table and replenished as needed. It's a truly unique experience. We had to go right when it opened due to children that go to bed at such an early hour. So therefore we missed the live music - and were the only people present in the restaurant.
But our experience was nonetheless unique, yummy, and filling. Everyone was happy with the food that was brought out and everyone had seconds (including Marco).
Lily even got a special treat when they brought out a slice of chocolate cake just for her since it was her birthday the following day!
Besides going out to eat, and doing activities - we got to spend some quality time at home with Grammy and Grandpa. Last time Grandpa was here I had a whole list of home repair items I needed help with - and he helped me with every single one. This time I only had two: fix my porch light and (truth be told) I can't remember the other one, but I'm certain that I had more than one "to-do" item for him to help me with.
Meanwhile, Mom taught me how to make cute owl hats since Lily had grown out of hers. My first hat I made and gave away to Marin's newborn baby boy. It was perfect and it gave me encouragement to make more for friends having babies during the colder months of the year!
But even more than my parents helping me with "projects," my children loved all the extra attention and time that was spent with them making them feel special and loved.
Lily and Marco were read to...
... had play tea parties with...
... had stickers put all over...
... but most importantly, loved and cuddled!
We love Grammy and Grandpa so much and miss them incredibly. Lily was ready for them to come back about a day after they left. My kids love their grandparents, and I love seeing the special bond they are making. I only wish we were closer so that they could interact and get more attention from them more often.
Thanks for coming out and visiting us Grammy and Grandpa! We loved having you over and promise that next time we will hit up Lazy 5 Ranch!
