Guest Blogger: Nonna

My Mom, Nonna, is the guest blogger for this post.

Warren and I were lucky enough to have the kids while Kristen and Matt attended a wedding in California. The unlucky part was that I started school the day after we got the kids. Warren took off for the week to play "full-time Papa". Gigi and Gramps came over every day to help. We have found that routine was very important to all of us. We started off day one with all of us sitting down to breakfast before I had to leave for work. Warren had his routine throughout the day....lots of coloring, singing, snacking, and puzzles. Just when a 51 year old Papa started feeling his age, it was nap time. I think he needed it more than the kids. I would get home from work around 4 and the routine started again with snack, more singing, and coloring. Caroline liked to know what was being served for dinner and had a strong opinion of what we were having. We all set the table together. Caroline and the twins looked forward to dinner, which started with a prayer. After dinner, the kids put on their bathing suits and would run through the sprinklers and have ice cream outside. Bath time followed with more singing and dancing. Doc and M came on Saturday to pick up the kids for the day. They played in the rain and took a boat ride. How lucky to have two sets of Grandparents and Great Grandparents who totally adore these beautiful, precious children. I might add that while the kids were at M and Doc's, I had all intentions of cleaning and reorganizing the kid's room, but instead took a long nap and watched grown-up T.V. 

I came home from work one day and the kids were still in pajamas. I asked Warren why the kids were not yet dressed and the look he gave me told me all I needed to know. I will also add that there are two phrases that Papa doesn't ever want to hear again; "I don't want to" and "I do it myself".  I am so thankful that Matt and Kristen let us be such a huge part of the kid's life. 

After looking at all of these pictures, I realize that my children didn't miss me at all! At least bunny looks sad that I am away...

scratch that...

many, many thanks to my parents for keeping such loving care of the three people that we hold most dear!

Nonna

Matt had some out of town business and it was the perfect time for my Mom to come visit. We had the most fun! We giggled at the kids, with the kids, and laughed a lot at random You Tube videos (did you know that Mike Rowe from "Dirty Jobs" used to be a host on the shopping network, QVC. Google it). We made a yummy dinner, did some shopping, and went to the pool twice. The kids were wonderfully behaved and enjoyed the extra attention. Thanks for coming Mom!

playdough

Playdough is a real mess but it is totally worth the twenty minutes of clean up time you get for two hours of play. Sam also played for quite some time with it, but after about an hour, he had had enough. The girls made "cookies", "soup", and other "tasty treats" from the playdough and some random kitchen tools. Anything that gets them to play nicely and isn't spent glued to the television can't be all bad, right?

hhhmmm...I'll wait to answer that until after I've finished scrapping playdough off of the floor

homemade playdough recipe:

1 1/4 c flour (although mine usually ends up needing more like 1 3/4 when humid)

1/4 c salt

1 pkg koolaid

1 c boiling water

1 tbsp oil

mix well (it's hot, so I use my stand mixer) and then knead a few times. If gummy, add more flour.

Shoe Pops

While Sam runs (seriously, he never walks) around the house putting anything and everything on his heads, his twin, Emma Kate has a shoe obsession. The very first thing she asks me for when I get her out of bed in the morning is for her "shoe pops". Shoe pops are flip flops or dress-up shoes. She wears some form of someone's shoes at all times and changes frequently throughout the day. She can run and climb in all types of shoes and only takes them off to bathe and sleep. 

note the discarded "shoe pops" in the background...one pair of Caroline's and one pair of mine and neither were a pair that Caroline or I wore that day

same day, a few hours later

these are boots, NOT shoe pops, but as far as I know, they are the only exception

Sunday paper

What is nice about the Sunday paper is the fact that there is something for everyone...here is how our family reads this Sunday paper:

Matt reads the sports

Emma Kate catches up on World News and Local Events

Caroline reads the sales flyers and sometimes cuts out coupons for products she wants me to buy

and then there is this guy...not much of a reader, but isn't he cute?

A Quick Get-a-way

The kids and I decided to get a change of scenery and head to my parent's house for a few days. Matt stayed behind and got some work done and enjoyed the quiet. The visit was just what we all needed...a break away. We didn't do much, which was WONDERFUL...

we colored

stopped coloring for a photo-op

had lots of snacks and several cups of milk

and stopped for a photo-op

colored some more

and more

more photo-ops

played together

shared nicely

had secret mission photo-ops

played outside in the water

some of us stuck our heads in the bucket repeatedly...three guesses

yes, more quick poses for Mom

did some more porch jumping, this time with Gramps

worked on our aim

just try me...

there was lots of kissing and hugging

more target practice

more cuddling

more forced pictures on the steps

more cuteness

more silly out-takes from photo sessions no one wanted except for me

and because no weekend (or day for that matter) is complete without a moose-on-the-loose-shot or a shot of Sam putting anything on his head besides HIS OWN HAT, I bring you these...

Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting us, letting me sleep in, changing all of the dirty diapers, helping me find humor in the chaos, and loving us.

Thanks Gigi and Gramps for lunch, letting us come over and make a mess, and for the treat of Sonic...we love you!