Grandma Ginia and the 'Fat Man'

Last week we headed to Phoenix to visit with Chris' parents. We had a great time. The kids really enjoyed themselves, and I even got a break from the kids one afternoon. We're still recovering from the excitement and long days, trying to find our routine again before Clara starts preschool next week. Here are a sampling of the pics I took while we were there

Grandma Ginia and Grandpa Vic (aka 'the Fat Man') wanted to take the kids to Chuck E Cheese for our first evening there. The kids had a blast.

Sadly enough, this is the only picture I took while we were at Chuck E Cheese. It was a Saturday evening and I was far too concerned with making sure Jonathan stayed with me, so I didn't think to take more pics. I know Grandma Ginia took some though. I'll have to get her pics from her.

Someone gave this golf set to Grandpa Vic a few years back as a gag gift for Christmas. Little did they know it would actually get a lot of use. Every time my kids show up at their house, it doesn't take them long to find it, and then set up the back nine in the living room.

This was actually the first visit when Jonathan has made a real effort to try to say 'Grandma' and 'Grandpa' -- only for him, it comes out as 'Momok' and 'Popok'. Here Jonathan was showing Momok and Popok his muscles (Grrrr!)

The kids love to play in Grandma's piano room. Clara and Jonathan took some time to play the piano with Grandma...and then did some songs on their own. I've been trying to upload a video of the kids singing 'Slippery Fish' and playing the piano, but I think it's too big -- too bad, because it's super cute!

Instead, here's a video of the kids playing the piano with Clara doing the lead vocals for the ABC's

Clara chose to have spaghetti one night for dinner and then decided that she and the Fat Man needed to re-enact that scene from Lady and the Tramp.

Grandma Ginia promised Clara a slumber party while we were visiting. Jonathan had a late nap that day and was nowhere near ready to go to bed at his normal time, so as a result he was allowed to participate in his first slumber party. After I had fixed Clara's hair, Jonathan brought me one of her ponytail holders (or 'dog ears' as we call them in our house) and held it up to his head - whining. When I put it in his hair, he was happy as can be! See what happens when Daddy goes away for 6 months?!

Clara was excited that Grandma Ginia likes popcorn too, since I don't typically eat it with her. We also found out that Jonathan REALLY likes popcorn as well.

Grandma even painted Clara's nails, a nice light pink color.
Jonathan didn't get to stay up for the whole slumber party, but he enjoyed himself while he was there. We watched The Fox and the Hound, had our junk food and painted toe nails. Clara was excited to share this ritual with Grandma Ginia.

Clara decided one morning to help Grandma Ginia make her bed. She carefully lined up all the teddy bears and then tucked them in. She thought it was so much fun that she informed me she would start making her own bed when we got home.

Jonathan snuggling with Grandma Ginia.

It didn't take him long to figure out that if he snuggled with her when I was trying to get him ready for bed, I'd leave him alone and let him stay up a few minutes longer. I mean really, how can you break up this kind of snuggling?

One day, both Momok and Popok had to work, so the kids and I went out to a few stores. Clara found 2 fairy skirts for just a few dollars. When we got home both kids ran around the house with them on. Don't let the picture fool you, he brought me this skirt just about every day and asked for help to put it on!

Jonathan slept in the Pack & Play while we were there, though I fear this may be the last time it's going to work. He's getting so big! Not to mention, he seems to think he'd rather sleep in a bed with Clara. One day at nap time I asked Clara to climb into bed and told her I'd be there in a few minutes to tuck her in...This is what I found. Did he think I wouldn't notice?

He pulled the covers up high and tucked himself in real good!

This was them snoring -- real convincing, right?

One of the kids' favorite things about being at Momok's and Popok's was the backyard pool. Grandma Ginia was nice enough to take us all over town one of the first days to find the 'purple noodle' Clara had requested for her swimming pleasure.

Jonathan liked to hang out on the steps a lot, but when I would take him out into the pool he did good kicking and letting me dunk him too!

Clara was so proud of herself for swimming 'on her own' -- though we never really could get that noodle away from her.

Clara and Grandma Ginia

I got Clara a disposable camera while we were in Phoenix and she took a lot of pics. We dropped it off at Walmart yesterday and should be able to go pick the pics up tomorrow afternoon, so there will be more pics to come!