Last Day

Well we made it home.  And it only took 8 hours instead of the 10 it took us to get there, so that was an improvement.  We checked out of our hotel on Friday morning and went to the zoo again.  I couldn't resist going through it with Jacob, it was such a good zoo.  Plus, we figured we would make them super tired and they would take a good nap while we drove.  This plan worked slightly - we made Jackson so tired he refused to eat lunch. I was trying to stuff sandwich in his mouth and he just closed his eyes and went to sleep. He still took a 2 hour nap before waking up for lunch.  Elli just watched a lot of movies on the way home.  We are all recuperating today but I had such a fun time.  Definitely there were rough/tough/awful moments - but all in all, it was a lot of fun to spend time together as a family away from chores.

Daddy came with us to the zoo!!!

We got to feed the giraffes! Look how close we are!!! Jackson loved this!

Thumper

I just wanted to get it down in writing that Jackson loves his Thumper.  Right around the time we were making Elli give up her paci, my parents went to Disney World.  They came back with prizes for everyone and Jackson's prize was a Thumper bunny.  Elli decided that Jackson could not have a paci if she could not have one.  I wasn't too worried about this for two reason:  1.  Jackson didn't really like a paci anyways.  2.  I wouldn't have to wean him from it like I had to do with Elli.  I decided to let Jackson sleep with this new Thumper for comfort. I wasn't sure if he would like it, I just started putting it in his crib at nap time and bed time.  Well, he LOVES Thumper.  It is his source of comfort. He giggles when he sees it, points to it when he is sad, and HAS to have it to sleep.  I always find him at night with his little arm wrapped around him.  Last night I found him using Thumper as a pillow.  Little Thumper - buddies!

Brother and Sister

I took Elli and Jackson to the YMCA child care while I got in a few minutes of exercise today.  I tried taking Jackson all last week and every morning he cried.  This week, now that Elli is done with school, she gets to go too.  He hasn't cried ONCE now that she is there with him. That is cute enough.  But then, this morning when I came to pick them up, I peeked in to see what they were doing. In a room full of children, they were cuddled up on a bean bag - laughing, really really laughing, with each other. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen.  Jackson was crawling all over Elli (and hitting her a bit so we have to work on that part!) and Elli was just laughing so loud.  There were other kids to play with there, but they were happy just being together.  I didn't plan for my babies to be 26 months apart and the first year was so hard, but now, I wouldn't change it for the world.  Best friends!

Elli - I will remind you of this when you have kids!

Today's conversation as we passed Grandma Bender's house on the way to the strawberry farm.

Elli:  Can we see Grandma?
Me:  Nope - she is at work.
Elli:  Where is Papa?
Me:  At work too.
Elli: Daddy is at work too.  Everybody is at work Mommy except for you.

Yep - thats right Elli.  I'm just at home on vacation.  No work for me - no work for me at all.


ps - I do love being able to stay at home, I am not grumbling.  Just thought this was ironically funny.

Going to the Chapel...

So when Elli started singing this at the dinner table I was a bit confused.  Why is she "going to the chapel?"  Who taught her about getting married already?!?!  But then I heard the rest of the lyrics and I loved it.  She must sing this on Wednesdays on her way into chapel at preschool.

Called Out - The R.E.A.L. Reason

Today Elli was looking through the gifts under the tree.  There are a LOT of gifts under the tree, but we have big families (am I validating?)  Anyways...

She adamantly wanted to know where Baby Jesus' gift was.  Hmm...what to say?  We don't actually get him one?  We don't have one yet?  What would we give Him?  Why do we have all of these things for HIS birthday and NOT ONE THING for Him?

So many things I had to think. I  told her we would go together and get one.  I think we will get some toys or food for those less fortunate and talk about how sharing with others is like sharing with Jesus.  Is that what I do?  Any thoughts?  I was humbled by my daughter's innocent question.

Where is Baby Jesus' present?