Week Long Play Date

Melissa and her girls were here this week.  We had lots of fun outtings.

Tues we went to Trader Joes, "Chicken-a-Lay", and Target.... our entourage with the babies in the baskets of the carts.  Peter is racing his cars on the cart.  :)

On Wed, we went to Story Time and a park. 

Peter found a piece of wood-chip mulch that he told me was his key.... I was impressed with his creativity.  He carried it around to use on all the different "vehicles" on the play ground.

I asked him to show me his key for these pics...  He was quite proud.  :)

Lily rode on the horsie...

Then Peter took Lily for a drive on one of the cars...

(I LOVE these pics!  There were so many cute bro & sis pics from this week....)

reaching for her big bro :)

playing on the "whoo whoo" with Annika

Peter and Annika loved playing together. The window was their favorite place. Annika is really a climber and was the ring leader in the window play. Peter came up with lots of new things to say this week. He kept suprising us with what came out of his mouth (in a good way). He had his toy school bus and kept saying to Annika "You like my bus?! Say yes." and "Ann-ka, say my name." Annika was quite entertained by him and gave him some great laughs. Isn't that a boy's dream?... for people to think he's funny (...at least in our house!)

Thursday, we had a picnic lunch at the park.

The oldest 2 girls went for rides on the swings, oh the sight!

Lily loved it!  Melissa pointed out that I frequently told Lily "Oh, I love you, girl!" or "I just want to squeeze you!"  Can you blame me?!  Look at that face!

Peter told Mike this week "Look look cool, Daddy!" b/c he was wearing his glasses.

Peter told me one day this week "Eat you, Mommy"... I think b/c I often tell him that I want to eat his neck... ???  He is really starting to pick up on things!

I told Peter he could eat the rest of the "puffs" if he fed them to Lily too.

It was the sweetest sight.  Dirty face and all. 

And it gave me time to work on dinner.

Oh, I love these two!!

On Thursday, Andrew arrived and we all had a yummy dinner and eve of talking.

Caitlyn slept thru thru the night for the first time here (9-5)... it must be the "love of sleep" in the air at the P's house... at least I like to think so :)

On Friday, we went to Maymont.  This was the cool dude who joined us!

It was the first time I'd been all the way down to the bears.

Thankfully, I had this little helper.

readin' up on the eagle ;)

He was sleepy for the hike back up.... eye rubbing. 

...but he did share a little "courtesy smile".  Check out Lily's sweet summer bare feet & legs!

It was a fun week... crazy at times (full of poopy diapers, dirty laundry and dishes, hungry children, tired moms) but nice to have the company of a friend.   We all enjoyed nice long naps on Friday afternoon.  It helped give me a birds eye view of all that really does happen with their little minds and bodies in the first few years.  There were such differences in 4 children that are a 2 1/2 year span... all so close together but SO different in their abilities.  I felt like it helped me to see all the progress Peter has made with talking, communication, obedience, discipline, parenting in a year's time.  I know its all normal stuff to happen a year but it was nice to be able to clearly see that progress, instead of just feeling "in the thick of it" day in and day out. 

I am overwhelmed at the sweetness that lives in my house & resides under my care!