She has 2 kids......Abby (age 4....6 months older than Parker)......and Garner (age 2....nine months older than Grace). We had the best day. Kids will be kids and so there were a few meltdowns (mostly from Parker!!!)......but, honestly, we could not have asked for a better day. No real arguments (between the kids).....and nobody got hurt!
So they got here around 11.....I thought we'd play for a bit then eat.....but everyone was already hungry.....so we snacked around on chips and dip while I made some grilled cheese sandwiches for the kids.
We moved the little table in the kitchen so all the kids could eat together......
Lunch is {finally} served. It took me a little longer to get things together than I had planned. I always think "Oh- I'll just whip that up real fast....it's just grilled cheese".....but it is FOUR grilled cheese and so that adds onto the time! I'll take that into account next time!
Meet Garner....
Grace.....
Parker....
Abby.....
After lunch....the girls played 'order' for a bit. I was so happy that Abby was into it, because this really is one of Parker's favorite things to do, and it's hard to do it with an 18 month old! And me and Geoff just aren't as 'fun'!
We made a pallet on the floor.....but really....only Grace took advantage.....and not for long until I lugged her off to her bed for a nap!
After I put Grace down....we tried to have a 'quiet' time by putting in a movie.....Parker picked Mulan (it is actually Mulan II)....and Abby excitedly agreed. Then Parker became a huge grouch because she "didn't want to watch Mulan".....she wanted to watch Caillou????? We watched Mulan. ;)
This next picture about sums up her attitude for about 2 hours.
Love this picture. Garner was 'painting' on Jamie's face with a dry paintbrush and he thought it was hilarious. Such a sweet picture....
During this 'quiet time'.....Jamie started what would become the first
They were still pretty focused on Mulan....;)
Snow cones kept them entertained for a good 30 minutes! :) When Mulan was over.....the kids painted with water colors......
This next picture is so funny.....I promise....I took these pictures and 'thought' I was paying attention.....but I honestly had no idea that he was putting his hand in his water cup! This seriously makes me laugh outloud.
Again! Never noticed his hand! Haha.
After painting....the kids played well together. I got Grace up around 3:30.....and around 5ish.....we started dinner. Before they got here.....I made some pizza dough and Geoff divided it up and flattened it out for us. He made 4 small pizzas.....1 for each kid....and a big one for me and Jamie.
So we let the kids make their own. I really thought that I would have to help Grace out (and I really did)....but I was really impressed with how much she did 'do' on her own by watching the other kids....
Love that chubby hand. Love this picture....
Pretty girl...
Grace's pizza.....
Sister thought this was dinner.....she didn't realize we had to cook it first! Haha. I think she would have eaten it better had I not baked it???
Garner wasn't really into making his pizza....so Jamie finished his and made this cute smiley face....
The truth of the matter is.....each kid took approximately 2.24 bites and that was it. Making the pizza: Success! Eating the pizza: Failure! :(
This next picture got to me a bit. The girls were trying to put this puzzle together on the carpet.....and then collectively.....they decided they needed to go to the kitchen....where the floor was flatter and so the puzzle wouldn't fall apart as easily. We've 'played' together with them before.....but I think I can honestly say that this was the first time that they 'played' together. I can't really explain it in words. But it was definitely sweet. So special. Little do these girls know how their mother's befriended each other....some 12 years ago.........
And......tadaaaaaaaaa!! The dress that Jamie sewed!!! The day had been too long for Abby to try it on, but can't wait to see it on her!
Thank you, Jamie! For coming to visit us in this extreme heat! We had the best day! Love you guys!!!
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And for memory's sake.....
Marla and Jamie...inside Wal-Mart around midnight....... circa 1999
Abby and Parker- 2007
Abby and Parker.....September 2008
Time....it never slows down, does it?
