Home again!

We made it home last night. It rained the entire trip, but we made decent time. We left at 9:30 and arrived just after 5. As we were driving, Jemma said "I want to stop at the park!" I didn't think that she would remember where the park (Brecknock) was because it is not on the main road, but she remembered the turn exactly! I had to say no because of the rain and she was quite disappointed. They did get to watch more DVDs than normal, just because I need to focus on the road due to the rain.


James only napped for 20 minutes and Jemma didn't sleep at all, even though she woke at 5:30 am! Both kids were quite tired last night! After crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel, Jemma said, "Mommy, all this travelling tires me out." I had to laugh and agree!


Upon our arrival home, James was eager to climb the stairs. I watched him as he was saying "dada" all the way up. He went straight to our bedroom and looked at the bed, then looked at me. Then he ran into our bathroom. He said, "dada" as he looked at Jim's sink. The kid knows more than I give him credit for!


I got the van unloaded as James ran around the living room diaperless and laughing with Jemma playing too, fed them dinner, then gave them baths. James was so tired/happy to be home that he didn't even want to nurse... he scooted himself off my bed and ran into his room and pointed at the crib! I put him in, he smiled at me, then grabbed his duck and stuck his thumb in his mouth. I think he was asleep before I shut the door to his room!

I forgot my camera... how could I do such a thing?!? Anyway, here are a few pics from our visit with them last month!

The brothers bonding (3/1/08):

Aunt Suzanne, Jemma (who wanted to hold and kiss Cassandra), and Cassandra:Jemma helped Aunt Suzanne make banana bread. Notice that Jemma's hair and make-up were done by Aunt Suzanne!I loved getting to hold Cassandra and Jemma was just in love too!

What a sweet, sweet baby!Our family with Cassandra

Cassandra is such a joy! She now gives big smiles and has a cute little dimple on one cheek. I had the privilege of giving her a bath on Saturday and got some good quality snuggle time this weekend!! :)

Safe travels

We made it to Andy and Suzanne's tonight just after 9:30. It was a good drive with both kids. I picked up Jemma from school and we started the drive at 1:15. We had to make a quick potty stop before getting on the Cheasapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, then had another potty break at 3:00. Then we stopped in Salisbury, MD at the Chick-Fil-A for an early dinner/play break. We stopped at Breaknock park just before getting on 1 to head further north. They have an EXCELLENT park and both kids had a blast on the swings, slides and assorted equipment. After they played, I put them in their PJs. They watched a Little Einstein's DVD, then I had to stop at the PA rest area because I forgot to give them their blankets, which were in the back. I then told them both to rest. About 15 minutes later, they were both fast asleep. Of course, they both woke when we arrived. However, both were back asleep within 20 minutes and now they are both still sleeping... I hope they sleep well tonight!! :)

It was wonderful to arrive and have such help unloading... Ken, Andy, and Karen unloaded everything (including James) and the pack-n-play was set up before I even made it in the house! So, so, so nice...

And I had help from my wonderful husband packing the car today. (I packed, but he helped me load the car and he cleaned the kitchen and watered the plants and helped me get prepared to leave!) I'm quite spoiled and it is going to be a real reality check when I make it back to VA Beach and am on my own again!!! :(

Our ant problem was worse this morning... I came downstairs to find ants in the entry way, the office and the dining room. Jim went to the store and bought bait traps for inside the house and ant stakes for the outside... I just want the pesky little ants to go away!!!

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Last night we took Jim's stuff to the ship. I took a bunch of pictures so I can print them for Jemma and James.

The ship:

Jemma climbing the stairs (the ship has lots of stairs!):

Daddy's rack:

James "talking" on Daddy's ship phone (no, it does not have access outside the ship... how I wish!):

Daddy and the kids in the Ready Room:

In the passageway (Jemma is great at hopping over the knee knockers): Walking hand-in-hand:Daddy with the kids before we go home:

Now I'm off to dreamland... I miss my husband already!

"Sharing"

Jemma is a typical 3 year old. She doesn't really like to share, but she is pretty good at most things. Last night, as I'm elminating ants, she says, "Mommy, I'm sharing." She and James were eating dinner, so I guessed that she was "sharing" something on her plate that she didn't want to eat. So I reply, "That is good, honey. I like it when you share!" I looked over just a few moments later and she was "sharing" her chapstick with James... which actually means that she was putting it in his mouth and he was eating the chapstick. She looked at me with those innocent eyes and said, "I was trying to put it on his lips, but he keeps eating it." I had mac-n-cheese, turkey, and grapes in front of both kids and she was feeding him chapstick!!! AAHHHH!!!

Then, I was up with James for over 2 hours last night... I suspect he had a tummy ache...

Ants!

I like creatures... but not in my house. Ants are cute outside far away from the house... ants in my kitchen are not cute... and not remotely welcome. I was on a mission yesterday afternoon to eliminate those little black, crawly things. Thankfully, after removing all items from the pantry and scrubbing the floor with Clorox (then spraying with Ant killer after the kids were in bed), we have no sign of them this morning.

I talked with a neighbor this morning and she has Terminex coming to her house for the second time to spray for those pesky ants... and they found their way into her upstairs bathroom! Yick!!

Most amazing...

Here is an amazing, true story...http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/2008/02/fast-track.html

Picture Day!

Jemma had picture day at school last Wednesday (4/16). Her Daddy helped her get ready... he removed her fingernail polish first.

This is Jemma saying good-bye since Daddy is going to work...

Notice the "fancy" socks!

It was so nice to have Ken and Karen here... they watched James while I took Jemma to school. And when I was asked to stay for a bit to help with the kids who were waiting in line for pictures, I agreed. I was most impressed with the picture taker... she was funny and really good with the kids... and she was prepared with a box of plastic combs and wipes! We'll see how the class picture turns out!

The Western Bates' Visit

Ken, Karen and Elizabeth arrived very late Monday night (4/14). The kids had such fun playing all week and I enjoyed having adult conversation throughout the day! Here are a few pictures from the week...

The bath was a huge hit! (4/15)

The kids loved playing in the sand. Jemma loves to be in the sandbox and dig and play... Elizabeth wanted to play with the sand, but not IN the sandbox.

Elizabeth loved the slide. She found James' hat and put it on herself... isn't she cute?!?

Jemma found a ladybug, then Uncle Ken helped find more ladybugs.

Another bath! (4/17) We skipped the bath on Wednesday because we went to Cold Stone for ice cream and it was late when we returned home.

James was being too wiggly so I took him out and let the girls "swim" and play!

Playing outside with the bubbles and toys... a beautiful Friday morning! Jemma didn't have school, so the kids were able to play together all morning.

Watching Sesame Street... doesn't Uncle Ken look tired?!? That is because Elizabeth did not sleep well while in Virginia Beach!

And more playing outside in the sandbox before the Western' Bates' family headed North.

We were very sad to see them leave. Jemma was so sad that she puked on Elizabeth... not really, she actually choked on a grape and puked on Cousin Elizabeth... sorry, Aunt Karen and Uncle Ken!

Late Easter Celebration

Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Andy sent Easter baskets for the kids. They sent them way before Easter, but I wanted to wait and have the kids open them with Daddy. So, we opened them finally!

Jemma loved the white stuffed bunny, the fingernail polish, gloves, socks... well, everything!!

James' favorite part was the plastic Easter eggs. Although, he did like everything else, too!Thank you Aunt Suzanne and Uncle Andy!!:)