We took our first long vacation in over 2 years. Of course we have had lots of small weekend trips but that's just not the same as having 10 full days together as a family. Our first flight was filled with apprehension of how a 5 hour flight would go with two girls. The plane was equipped with TV screens that had movies, shows and games for the kids. It was wonderful. Alexa was a trooper the entire way. She became a little frustrated with her sister do to the tight quarters. Overall she was our all star traveler. Addison did fairly well. She wanted to move more then she was able but accepted the situation pretty quickly. She was not able to sleep but still remained in surprisingly good spirits. When we arrived in Atlanta it was raining. Alexa was excited to see such a rare thing. She played in the rain for 20 minutes while we waited on Justin to bring the car around. The girls stayed up until their normal time that night and woke up pretty well adjusted. Heading East seemed easy on us.
The next day was spent in Atlanta with Justin's Mom and brothers. The girls of course had professional pictures done with their cousins and even went to Build a Bear. Alexa made a unicorn and picked out every accessory they had. Addison made a "doggie" that barks. They were two happy girls.
Sunday morning we woke up early and drove to Columbia, South Carolina. We attended church and went out to eat with some old friends. Alexa told everyone she saw how she is 4 1/2 years old and not a baby anymore. I loved being able to show her all the places that have such deep meaning to us. We stayed in a hotel downtown and had a view of the hospital Alexa was born at. In the afternoon Justin took the girls swimming. Alexa became very comfortable with her back floating and swimming. We were suppose to have dinner with more friends but we were put under a tornado watch. So instead we watched the Cavalier's play and ate at the hotel.
On Monday morning we drove to Greenville to visit with Bill. We stayed there two days and had a great time. The girls enjoyed playing with Oreo and of course Uncle Brandon. On Wednesday we drove to Aunt Karen & Uncle Bill's house. Its been 3 years since we have seen them. I am glad they know live "en route" to some of our family. We were all able to meet Aidan & Reese. The kids played really well together. Karen & Justin took the girls to the park and we all went out to eat. That night Addison had lots of trouble sleeping. It turned into a really long night for Justin.
The next morning (Thursday) we drove down the road to Grandma & Grandpa Schoolcraft's house. The girls were so happy being able to run around in the yard. Alexa helped Grandpa pick the dandelions. Addison continued to be fussy and that's when I decided we needed a thermometer and some medicine. Just as I suspected, Addison was sick. Fortunately her fever was low grade. We had some quiet time just the two of us that evening while Justin and Alexa went out to eat with some family. Addison had another rough night of sleep but her fever did break.
On Friday morning we did our last driving of the trip to Raleigh. There we saw Grammie, Nana, Pepere, Brandon, Jason, Leah & Grandpa and Grandma Schoolcraft. The girls stayed with Grammie on Friday evening while Justin and I went to a graduation social. It was nice to be able to get away for a few hours. The girls slept and gave Grammie no trouble. Unfortunately, Justin was still very exhausted from the night before so we had an early night. Saturday was graduation day. We were surprised to see Pawpaw & Mawmaw Susan come. I think my girls were on Grandparent overload this week. The girls played on their tablets, colored pictures and watched Daddy graduate. Addison got a little talkative so she went out for a few minutes. After the ceremony we did pictures and then went to the reception. My awesome Mom stayed in the car with Addison while she slept. Once she woke up the girls spent time with all their family members.
Saturday afternoon we went swimming and hung out at the hotel. It was a great weekend!
On Sunday we did one last swim and went down to Chapel Hill to check out the school since the rain finally stopped. We said some last goodbyes before heading to the airport.
For some reason we were way less prepared going home. We got to the airport and had to get a bellman to help with the bags. Our suitcases put on their vacation weight and we had to move things around. We were 8lbs over on the grownup suitcase. I could not believe it. The girls and I made it through security and then met up with Justin. Addison decided to give us a warming of what was ahead. She kept pooping in her diaper and we were trying to board the plane. I think she went through 3 or 4 diapers in a matter of 5 hours.
The girls did pretty good on the way home. This flight was longer than the first one. The idea of a 6 hour flight was scarier than it actually was. Alexa fell asleep in her chair and Addison on the floor. They slept for about an hour before we had to land. We were sooo happy to be home in our beds that night.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Swimming & Gymnastics
Alexa has been swimming at the Y since we moved to California. She has had 1-2 other girls in her class the entire time. Both of the other girls are 6 years old. Alexa just loves them and calls them her friends. They are both sweet girls and encourage Alexa while she swims. Starting in April, Alexa has the class to herself. Her new teacher Hillary is really great with her. I can tell Alexa misses her friends but I am sure she will get more out of the class now that she has one on one attention. She is slowly over coming her fear of deep water (more than 6 feet). She love to dive for rings and to jump in (cannon ball style and pencils are her favorite). She usually swims 10-15 feet unassisted. She is still struggling to get breathes and keep going. Whenever she goes for a breath she goes vertical and struggles to regain compose. The other area we need to work on is back floating. She isn't a fan of practicing so we are making slow progress there. Overall I think she is doing great. It's going to a fun summer for her.
Addison started parent child swim lessons last month. I did two of the classes and Justin did two of them. Her first class was OK. She didn't want to do much but did enjoy playing with some toys. The second class she was sooo unhappy. I think more than anything she was tired and didn't want to be in the water. During her third class she started really participating. She was kicking, digging her arms & blowing bubbles. Her last class in March was her best one. We discovered she LOVES the bar bells. Once she held onto those she was good to go. She was floating and swimming like a pro. In April we switched her swim lessons to during the week. So now she will do all her classes with me. This works out better since we keep pretty busy on Saturdays. Addison's first class was great. She was excited to get in and quickly caught on to her floating, kicking, digging arms and bubbles. I think her favorite thing to do is to climb out of the pool and jump in. She is a little fishy! At home she swims around in a puddle jumper on her own.
The other sport Alexa has been participating in is gymnastics. She really enjoyed it in Arizona and wanted to start again in California. We found a local gym and she has been going since January. Her class has 4 girls in it. Two are 4 and two are 6. Alexa quickly made friends with Julia, the other four year old. They are buddies in the gym. Over the last few months Alexa has been building some arm muscles. She can know do the monkey bars all the way across. We are still working hard on her bridge but I know she will get it. During this last week Alexa went to gymnastics camp for a few days. She LOVED it. Looks like we found out what Alexa is going to do this summer.
Addison started parent child swim lessons last month. I did two of the classes and Justin did two of them. Her first class was OK. She didn't want to do much but did enjoy playing with some toys. The second class she was sooo unhappy. I think more than anything she was tired and didn't want to be in the water. During her third class she started really participating. She was kicking, digging her arms & blowing bubbles. Her last class in March was her best one. We discovered she LOVES the bar bells. Once she held onto those she was good to go. She was floating and swimming like a pro. In April we switched her swim lessons to during the week. So now she will do all her classes with me. This works out better since we keep pretty busy on Saturdays. Addison's first class was great. She was excited to get in and quickly caught on to her floating, kicking, digging arms and bubbles. I think her favorite thing to do is to climb out of the pool and jump in. She is a little fishy! At home she swims around in a puddle jumper on her own.
The other sport Alexa has been participating in is gymnastics. She really enjoyed it in Arizona and wanted to start again in California. We found a local gym and she has been going since January. Her class has 4 girls in it. Two are 4 and two are 6. Alexa quickly made friends with Julia, the other four year old. They are buddies in the gym. Over the last few months Alexa has been building some arm muscles. She can know do the monkey bars all the way across. We are still working hard on her bridge but I know she will get it. During this last week Alexa went to gymnastics camp for a few days. She LOVED it. Looks like we found out what Alexa is going to do this summer.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Grandparent Visits!
I love the phrase when it rains it pours... For me the same thing happens with visitors. We will go several months without a single visitor, sort of like a drought (fitting since we live in Cali). Just when we get lonely they all show up for a visit. We love visitors so the more the merrier for this family.
Our first weekend visitors were GB & Uncle Jeff. (Hi Jeff!) Alexa was even more excited then I thought she was going to be. Uncle Jeff taught Alexa the concept of being a completionist & GB taught Alexa what contrails are. Both words are being used on a regular basis now. One of the high lights of the weekend for Justin and I was having a successful restaurant experience with both girls. They did sooo awesome. We couldn't believe it was our girls being so well behaved. We even were able to watch Uncle Jeff race (and win) a really fun event. Alexa told one of Jeff's team mates that his nick knack name is Jeffy Jeff! Alexa also made up a chant for Jeff when he was racing (J-E-F Goooo Jeff). She asked to watch him race again so we are going to make we drive up and watch him after our crazy spring schedule settles down. Addison's high light of the weekend was probably playing with two very sweet and well behaved dogs. They were very large dogs and Addison showed no fear. She giggled and threw their balls until it was her bed time. We all surely enjoyed a fun weekend with them.
The second weekend visit was my Dad and Ms. Barb. They were staying at a hotel near so we took full advantage. The girls played a few times in the sand. Alexa enjoyed making sand angels and playing with the new toys from Papa. Addison was covered head to toe in sand both times. I am not sure how she managed to keep the sand out of her eyes but there wasn't a clean piece of skin on her. She enjoyed jumping on my back when I was resting and pouring sand onto our blankets. Both girls were able to show Papa & Ms. Barb their swim lessons. Addison really enjoyed her class with Justin. Alexa has some deep water fears that she is working to concur. Over the weekend we went out and had several successful meals with the girls. I guess we there is hope that we do not have to stay hermit crabs at home for long.
Our last weekend of visitors were Nana & Pepere. We already had a busy weekend planned for Easter but they happily followed along. Alexa made a potted plant at Home Depot. We then went to the Botanic Gardens for an Easter event. The girls friends were there as well. There were lots of crafts, live bunnies, face painting and a parade. It was a really neat event that we will try to do again. Saturday night Justin and I went out for our 6 year anniversary. We put Addison to bed before we left. Alexa spent about an hour with Donna & David before she went to bed. It was nice to have a babysitter. On Sunday the girls woke up early for their Easter egg hunt. Addison loved the concept and found lots of eggs. Alexa had a tough time find her basket but really enjoyed the egg part. After the egg hunt we went to church. The girls did OK sitting through the adult service. When the music was finishing up the kids went onto the friend for another egg hunt. It was a great day!
We now have our vacation ahead of us. It's our first one as a family in a long time. It will be Addison's first time to Georgia, North & South Carolina. She will meet lots of family and even watch Justin graduate from grad school. Once we get back it will be another month before the Falconieri's come. We cant wait!
Our first weekend visitors were GB & Uncle Jeff. (Hi Jeff!) Alexa was even more excited then I thought she was going to be. Uncle Jeff taught Alexa the concept of being a completionist & GB taught Alexa what contrails are. Both words are being used on a regular basis now. One of the high lights of the weekend for Justin and I was having a successful restaurant experience with both girls. They did sooo awesome. We couldn't believe it was our girls being so well behaved. We even were able to watch Uncle Jeff race (and win) a really fun event. Alexa told one of Jeff's team mates that his nick knack name is Jeffy Jeff! Alexa also made up a chant for Jeff when he was racing (J-E-F Goooo Jeff). She asked to watch him race again so we are going to make we drive up and watch him after our crazy spring schedule settles down. Addison's high light of the weekend was probably playing with two very sweet and well behaved dogs. They were very large dogs and Addison showed no fear. She giggled and threw their balls until it was her bed time. We all surely enjoyed a fun weekend with them.
The second weekend visit was my Dad and Ms. Barb. They were staying at a hotel near so we took full advantage. The girls played a few times in the sand. Alexa enjoyed making sand angels and playing with the new toys from Papa. Addison was covered head to toe in sand both times. I am not sure how she managed to keep the sand out of her eyes but there wasn't a clean piece of skin on her. She enjoyed jumping on my back when I was resting and pouring sand onto our blankets. Both girls were able to show Papa & Ms. Barb their swim lessons. Addison really enjoyed her class with Justin. Alexa has some deep water fears that she is working to concur. Over the weekend we went out and had several successful meals with the girls. I guess we there is hope that we do not have to stay hermit crabs at home for long.
Our last weekend of visitors were Nana & Pepere. We already had a busy weekend planned for Easter but they happily followed along. Alexa made a potted plant at Home Depot. We then went to the Botanic Gardens for an Easter event. The girls friends were there as well. There were lots of crafts, live bunnies, face painting and a parade. It was a really neat event that we will try to do again. Saturday night Justin and I went out for our 6 year anniversary. We put Addison to bed before we left. Alexa spent about an hour with Donna & David before she went to bed. It was nice to have a babysitter. On Sunday the girls woke up early for their Easter egg hunt. Addison loved the concept and found lots of eggs. Alexa had a tough time find her basket but really enjoyed the egg part. After the egg hunt we went to church. The girls did OK sitting through the adult service. When the music was finishing up the kids went onto the friend for another egg hunt. It was a great day!
We now have our vacation ahead of us. It's our first one as a family in a long time. It will be Addison's first time to Georgia, North & South Carolina. She will meet lots of family and even watch Justin graduate from grad school. Once we get back it will be another month before the Falconieri's come. We cant wait!
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