Housewarming

Before Ryan and Lucie go to bed each night, we like to talk to them about what we're doing the next day. Lately, we've had great stories to tell, with reports of upcoming visits from Grandma, Grandpa, Gigi and Aunt Rach. Two weekends in a row we've had family in town, and Ryan and Lucie have been beside themselves with excitement. R & L especially love showing off their new room and declaring, "The walls are GEEN!"

First came Grandma and Grandpa over the holiday weekend. They outfitted Lucie and Ryan with an impressive set of gardening gear, and helped them resurrect a tomato plant and plant flowers in some long neglected pots. After setting us up with some beautiful plants, we're doing our best to keep them alive and blooming. Part of our routine every afternoon now is to water the plants. All three of us are usually drenched after plant watering inevitably turns into bath time. According to Lucie and Ryan, proper plant care involves at least four buckets of water per plant.

This past weekend we had visits from Gigi and Aunt Rach. I'd been telling Ryan and Lucie all week that Gigi was going to take them to tumbling class on Friday. They couldn't wait to share it with her. Lucie wished the week away, asking each morning, "Is Gigi going to class with us today?"

When my mom arrived and took them to class on Friday, Lucie and Ryan hopped right into the stroller and began waving, "Bye Mommy!" They couldn't send me off fast enough. I feel so thankful that we all travel to see each other often and Lucie and Ryan have developed such a strong relationship with their grandparents, aunt and uncles.

And, finally, Aunt Rach! When we picked her up, Lucie squealed with delight and almost jumped from her seat at the thought of getting to sit next to her. Aunt Rach is a good sport and doesn't mind the tight squeeze in exchange for close proximity to, as she calls them, "my buddies". She set them up with a ton of swag from the conference she was attending. Who better to appreciate kid-sized goggles and aprons than our little accessories lover Lucie?

Our time with family was wonderful, but too short. We're always anticipating the next visit.