Here's to the Sunny Slopes of Long Ago

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Nana & Papa's Takeover

**** My parents, also known as Nana and Papa, generously gave us an anniversary present of a one-night vacation, complete with childcare. Although our anniversary is in April, Pete's vacation time is in the summer, so we spent months planning our blissful night away!!! We vacationed in Lewes, Delaware, and had an extremely relaxing and fun time! Nana and Papa also agreed to be guest-bloggers, and they have authored the following post of their time spent watching their grandchildren. Our guest-bloggers decided to write in the voices of Eliana and Leah, and co-authored this post on their last fumes of energy after their "takeover" with the girls. THANK YOU NANA & PAPA ****

Nana and Papa wanted us to be busy ALL THE TIME so we would get good and tired. Our first stop was Alverthorpe Park. We rode the cars, jumped on the trampoline, went on the seesaw, played peekaboo, and made new friends. Nana and Papa thought we'd be tired, but NO WAY!!!!

We still had plenty of energy to go nuts in Trader Joe's.

We went swimming in the pool, and played in the sandbox and the water table. Eliana gave Nana and Papa a good soak with the hose.

They tried a new tactic; they thought that long walks would be the answer - to no avail!

A little water, and a rest in front of the Village Diner revived us.

We had enough energy to put on our own show in the lobby of the Keswick Theatre.

After dinner we got to go to U-Swirl for ice cream. It was delicious.

Nana and Papa did not think we were sufficiently tired so they took us to Raymour & Flanagan furniture store. We ran all over the store and tried out lots of furniture. It did the trick!!!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Happy Birthday Nana Nancy!

We were excited and honored to have Nana Nancy come visit, and totally thrilled to celebrate her 90th birthday!! Nana is about to turn 90 years old, and has more energy now than I have ever had. She spends her time at church, prayer group, security patrol, volunteering at the thrift shop, going to restaurants, playing Bingo and Bunco, and dancing the night away. She says that she feels like she is 40! Nana Nancy is always smiling, makes friends wherever she goes, and never stops praying for and encouraging her loved ones.

We celebrated at our favorite local Chinese restaurant, Jasmine.

Eliana was excited to present Nana Nancy with a gift.

Leah was super excited to eat ice cream (and to play in Mommy's plate like it was sandbox - gross.)

We even managed to get a photo with Nana Nancy with everyone smiling,
which is no small feat!!
(Papa and Nana were also there, but not pictured . . .
in fact, Papa gets credit for taking all these pictures!)

As promised, here is a glimpse of Leah without the nap. The meltdowns are so intense, they are a little amusing. Poor Leah. It's tough being a toddler.

Happy Birthday and all of God's blessings to Nana Nancy!!!

Monday, July 9, 2012

Summer Begins!!

We've really been enjoying summer around here so far! Eliana and Leah continue to be really close and love being outdoors together playing in the sprinkler and kiddie pool. I love this picture below because I snuck in the doorway and they did not realize I was taking it. Leah was a little scared during Strawberry Shortcake, and so she snuggled up to big sister for comfort.

Leah has been doing a great job of going on the potty. She does insist on pottying nude most of the time though, and refuses to let me put her diaper/pullup back on after she finishes. With the recent heat wave, both kids have spent more time naked than clothed. They even have an impressive nudie dance that they perform. If Pete teaches me to upload video one day, you may see it, although perhaps that could get me in trouble with the authorities (?).

The girls are also enjoying Eliana's new Jeep. Don't these two look like a pair of teenagers?? It is truly a glimpse into the future.

And Leah was pretty excited to finally get her turn behind the wheel.

Sara's visit to Pennsylvania was a great way to kick off the summer. (And of course we enjoyed her entourage of Aunt Jessie, Nana, Papa and Caspie). The big kids hit Mason's Mill playground, while Nana and Papa made the sacrificial choice of staying home with Leah while she napped.

But it turned out that Leah did NOT nap, because that has been what Leah has been doing lately: NOT napping. She's really not ready to NOT nap yet. But, I don't have it in me to battle with her over the nap either. So, we've had some rough days. Really, rough afternoons. Rough evenings. But easy bedtimes!! In fact, stay tuned for the next post where you can get a glimpse of what little Leah looks like without a nap!

Happy Summer!!!

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

F-O-U-R!!!!

The number FOUR! The long awaited number FOUR!!! Eliana has been waiting to turn four years old ever since her third birthday. She has actually had a few dozen tantrums over the fact that she was not yet four, leading up to this day. So, we are all so glad that May 29th, Eliana's birthday, has arrived!!! She starts the day by fulfilling her dream of having her first piece of bubble gum. As per her instructions, the gum is waiting for her on my night table, so that I can reach over and give it to her while we are all still in bed. After she chews her gum, we all head downstairs so that Eliana can see her new sandbox before Daddy leaves for work. The sandbox is a hit, and the girls can't wait to play! We eat breakfast (special treat: Nutella!), and get Leah ready for school. Then, Mommy and Eliana can spend some special (rare!) time alone together while Leah is at school.

We start off at the library, where Eliana finds a copy of "All of a Kind Family" to replace our missing one. (This book owes some of it's popularity to the fact that Big Cousin was reading it at our house.) After the librarians all make a fuss over my cutie, and she plays her computer games, Eliana's next birthday wish is fulfilled. She wants cheese balls. Yes, those flourescent orange, salty, crunchy balls that dissolve on your tongue. Hmmmm. Who does this remind me of. Someone who used to eat cheese balls for dinner on a regular basis in his bachelor-hood. Hmmm. I can't seem to think of who it might be!!! Eliana also picks out strawberries and watermelon, so perhaps my genetic influence is hidden in there somewhere . . . .

As we approach lunch time, we head over to Jules Pizza, one of our favorite lunch destinations. Perhaps it is the excitement of her birthday, or more likely the cheese balls, but Eliana is not that interested in her pizza. She is more interested in blowing bubbles in her water (a trick learned from Peppa Pig), and greeting each customer that walks in. Wouldn't you like to be greeted by that face?

We pick Leah up from school, and after some rest time attempt to use the sand box. The new sand toys have arrived in the mail, and the kids are ready. But, thanks to the 90 degree day the sand is burning hot and impossible for play. Looks like we need to find a shadier spot for Mr. Turtle. So, we take the sand toys into a nice cool bath tub.

Finally it is time to meet Daddy at Friendly's for a birthday dinner, and of course dessert. Eliana is serenaded by the Friendly's staff, before eating her monstrous DIY Sundae.

Little Sister thinks the ice cream is so good she is attacking it with two spoons.

Next, the fun continues at Happy Tymes. Leah is old enough to be the helper ice cream lady, while Eliana drives the ice cream truck. Eliana plays her first Skee Ball (she's good!), Basketball, and Stomp the Spiders.

And, now that she is four, she is brave and ready to face the Frogger with new found confidence. She holds on tight, and even manages to smile while she's bouncing up and down on the wild ride.

Happy Birthday my sweet Eliana! I have had the most amazing four years being your Mommy. You constantly surprise and amaze me. You have convinced me that I had no idea what parenthood was about before you were born, and you are nothing like what I expected you might be like. It is thrilling to watch you grow, to hear about all of your strong opinions, to experience your imagination, to help you navigate through life's challenges. Your name means, "The Lord Answers," because Mommy prayed a special prayer for you, and He answered my prayer! It is your birthday, but you are my gift. I love you!!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Leah's First Night in her Big Girl Bed

We decided it was time for Leah to graduate to a toddler bed. Leah refused to sleep in the crib at around three months old. Since then she had been falling asleep in one of her parents arms each night, and then placed in a nest of blankets in the den. When Pete and I went up to bed, we carried her up there with us. There were about 100 reasons why this was no longer working, so we decided a big girl bed was the logical next step, even though she's still pretty young. So now, the two girls are theoretically sleeping in their own beds, in their own room. Through a grueling week of trial and error, we realized that staggering bed times works best. After pajamas, Bible and prayer, the appointed parent takes Leah up to bed, while the other parent stays downstairs reading with Eliana. Once Leah is asleep, it is Eliana's turn to go upstairs. They both require extensive back patting, singing/humming, and occasional threats, before they are actually asleep. Yes, bed time is still a work in progress, but I believe we may be moving in the right direction!


Trying out the new bed, and loving the "Melmo" pillow and blankets.

Demonstrating her knowledge of closing her eyes to go to sleep.

Watching Big Sister to learn how it is done.


Okay Mommy & Daddy, I think I'm ready!!!

P.S. Truth be told, Leah has yet to spend the entire night in her own bed. Sometime around midnight she wakes up and runs at full speed into our room, spending the rest of the night in our bed. (Pete and I both find it absolutely hilarious to see her little head bobbing towards our bed as she runs in.) Then, around 2 AM, Eliana wanders in and joins us. So, we wake up four in a bed to greet the day. Like I said, it is a work in progress!!