Gwamma and Papa come to visit!

   I am grateful that my parents are willing to travel. Living far from them is weird...and difficult at times. It's especially hard to see Samantha missing her grandparents. However, it is really fun to see how excited she gets when she knows they are coming to visit.
   We had talked about how Grandma and Papa were coming and she was thrilled. They were scheduled to fly in Thursday afternoon. That morning when I went to wake Samantha up for school, I leaned into her as she slept in her bed and whispered, "Today's a special day! Guess who's coming?" Her head popped right up! "My Gwamma is coming over!"

Going out to dinner their first night here.  

 

   My parents finally arrived Thursday evening and we had a wonderful visit for 5 days. We hung out at home - the weather was cold and rainy for two of the days they were here, Joe and Dad golfed one day while Mom, Sam, and I went shopping. We ate out a bunch! Joe and Dad checked out the lot we will be building on and Mom and Samantha played lots of make believe. Mostly, we just hung out and spent time together.

Our fun day - Grandma, Sam & I shopped while the guys golfed.

 



   Sam didn't want to leave Grandma's side. She followed her around like a little puppy. One of her favorite things is to wake Grandma up in the morning. She's been doing this since she was a baby. She climbs into my mom's bed and snuggles her and talks to her until my mom is finally ready to get out of bed. It's a special time and so sweet.

Samantha & Grandma playing on iPad after "dress-up".

   My dad decided to tell Samantha the story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. Sam loved Papa's story-telling and asked him to tell it over and over. She still talks about how not to scream "help" unless it's "a really emergency".
    Samantha was such high-energy when they were here visiting. She was on excitement overload - she could not settle down. So nap time was a disaster. One day we were hanging at home, we thought for sure she needed a nap from all the excitement and tried to put her down while Mom, Dad, and I rented a movie. Sweet little one just couldn't do it. She couldn't miss a minute of Grandma and Papa's visit. She kept getting out of bed and asking if nap time was over (even after mama disciplined her). Eventually we let her up. Not long after she was snuggling on Grandma's lap and fell asleep! Little stinker! I'm sure mom didn't mind. In fact I'm sure she relished those sleepy snuggles. My dad got some of them too!

"Nap time" snuggles.

 

Sam is a very active 3 year old. She showed Grandma and Papa all her fun games (lots of make believe) but here was one thing that Papa could really get in to! Remote controlled games. Papa zoomed the car around while Sam taught Grandma how to control Thomas the Train with his whistle.

Playing with toys

 

  The last day of the visit Samantha decided she was going to California with Grandma and Papa. "Mama, I go to California with Gwamma." I said, "But baby, I will miss you!" She replied, "You aren't going Mom, I'm going with Gwamma." She packed her suitcase and everything! "What did you pack?" I asked. She told me, "I got clothes, pajamas, and a pull-up." She was ready to go! (uh ya, I was sad she wanted to leave her mom)

"Going to California!"

 

   Samantha and I drove my parents to the airport Tuesday afternoon. On the way Sam fell asleep. She was so tired from the fun she had with her grandparents. But, oh dear. I knew she would want to say goodbye. My dad was sitting in the back and held her hand as she slept. So sweet! I tried to wake her when we arrived at the airport but she was out! I sadly said goodbye to my parents. It was a great visit and I love that they come to see us!!! Sam slept almost the entire trip back home. We were close to the house when she woke up. "Did we drop 'em?" she asked. "Yes honey." Immediately her eyes welled up and she tearfully exclaimed, "I didn't get to say goodbye!" I couldn't help but cry too. "I'm so sorry baby. I tried to wake you. We will see them again soon." She was OK with that. Our next visit is just around the corner in July and Sam can't wait to fly to California.

 



 Grandma and Papa tuckered her out!