Hiking With Pepah

Today was an absolutely beautiful day, so Pepah and I took the kids to the park and then on a little 'hike' (I use this word loosely!) down to a pond. You can't beat spring days like this.

In Other News....

Delaney and Elliot are settling in at Grandma B and Pepah's house. Except for Pepah, we all have little colds--I swear anytime my children get within 50 feet of an airport, they get cold.

Delaney has been a handful this week; I take this as a sign that she feels quite at home here. She's been fairly difficult and at times ridiculously uncooperative-and then just when we're about ready to go insane, she'll be absolutely charming and wonderful. Grandma B and Laney had a standoff last nite-a serious test of wills-Grandma B won but it wasn't pretty! I think that Grandma B is more than impressed with little Laney's willpower (and screaming power!).

Elliot has been Grandma B's boyfriend-wanting her to hold his hand, carry him and giving her lots of kisses.

Bathtime at Grandma's House

These two little bodies are just too cute!

Delaney has been really enjoying bathtime lately. She practices her 'swimming' and pretends that she is swimming to the store, the park and her friends' houses.

Catching Up

My mom came into town last Sunday. We really have enjoyed living in Northern Nevada and certainly have met a lot of great people, but nothing and no one can replace my mom. I really look forward to and enjoy her visits. When it's time for her to leave, I always start bugging her about when she's going to visit next. We had a really nice week with my mom--the weather cooperated for part of the time and we went to a bunch of parks and my mom got to see the kids' playgroup and gymnastics class. I had a lot of help and wonderful company and the kids had lots of snuggles and a personal playmate.

On Sunday, my mom, the kids and I headed to Pittsburgh. It's a long, long trip. A 45 minute drive to the Reno airport, a one hour flight to Vegas, a two hour layover in Vegas, a 4 hour 20 minute flight to Pittsburgh and then a 40 minute drive to my parents' house. Our day started at 5 AM-Nevada time-and we arrived at Grandma and Pepah's house at about 7 PM-Pittsburgh time. Overall, the trip went really well--nothing unexpected occurred-no vomiting, no flight delays, no tantrums, but it's still a long, long trip. Both Delaney and Elliot napped for about an hour--which actually is really good for them-they often don't even blink on the plane. Laney sat in her seat like a big girl, and Elliot squirmed his way back and forth between my mom and I. Little kids just aren't made to sit still-especially Elliot. And we were SOOOOO glad to see my dad waiting for us at the Pittsburgh airport.

Laney and Elliot are gradually settling in and getting used to the 3 hour time difference. Delaney is shocked that there are birds at Grandma and Pepah's house---just like at home--and that Grandma and Pepah have trees inside (a small grapefruit tree-but it must be big to her). A toddler's world really is very small! She was a little scared to sleep in her 'new' room but I explained to her that she was sleeping in mommy's old room and gave her a few of my old stuffed animals and that seemed to help a bit.

Elliot's been a trooper but is exhausted and had a tough time going to bed tonite. He learned how to do somersaults today--as Delaney would say-all by himself. He's pretty pleased with himself. He's tries to say 'Grandma' and calls my dad 'Pop'.

The Big 3-0!

Yup, Dave turned the big 30 today. It doesn't sound so bad to me, but I guess that I wouldn't know since I'm only 29. We celebrated with cupcakes, presents and then Dave and I went out to a wine bar--no wine for me, but the live music was good and it really was nice to be somewhere 'adult'.

This Is What Life Would Be Like......

.... If we had two sets of twins! I watched my friend's children today for 5 hours---her little girl is one month younger than Delaney and her little boy is three months younger than Elliot. I was a little nervous about the day, but everything went really well and it actually was a lot of fun. Chaotic?--Yes, but not out of control and the kids kind of ran around like a little tribe! I think that it made Dave a little nervous that I thoroughly enjoyed watching 4 little ones

Delaney and her friend dance with their stuffed animals.

In Other News.....

The kids and I survived five days without Dave. Everyone was healthy and everything went really well. It was tiring and I really missed Dave's companionship, but Dave was exactly where he should have been-with his family on Long Island.

A couple of days ago, I read Delaney The Velveteen Rabbit before naptime. She woke up crying, and when I went to get her out of bed, she told me that a scary bunny had been singing scary songs! This was the first time that she really articulated a 'bad' dream to me. We've spent the last couple of days assuring Delaney that bunnies are nice---not a good time to be scared of bunnies, rabbits are everywhere right now.

Elliot has been our little sunshine. He wakes up with a big smile on his face and pretty much giggles and smiles his way through the day. He has his fits-for like 10 minutes-and definitely lets us know what he wants, but in general, he's so even tempered.

After Delaney's friends left yesterday, she kept on telling me--Mommy, I want my friends to come back. Mommy, I want to play with my friends. A glimpse into the future, I suppose, and I was a little jealous.