Adios Auntie J

It's hard to believe that Auntie J's visit started like this:

And finished with 20C and this:

photo - view from Auntie J and Papa's hike on Saturday

We had a busy day on Saturday, making the most of the warm weather. We were up early and organized to meet the photographer down at one of the local parks. We spent the next 2 hours with her taking a variety of different pictures. Group shots and lots of individual shots for the kids. It will be fun to see the website proofs when she gets them up and running in a week or so. You never know what kind of pictures you will actually get when kids are involved. In between moving from one location to another, Papa and Auntie J managed to sneak in a coffee shop run as well as picked up some souveniers for Auntie J's family at home.

We were home before lunchtime and then Papa, Auntie J and Airlie headed off for a ferry ride and hike on the other side of the lake. I got the kids fed and sorted for quiet time before I went into town to pick up some things for dinner. I returned to Schmoo up from her quiet time and tried, without success, to get her to snuggle with me on the couch so I could have a sleep. The kids had their dinner and then I sent them out in the backyard with Nana for 1/2 hour so I could do some long overdue vacuuming. Papa and Auntie J got home in time to see the kids off for bedtime and then Papa cooked up a wonderful rack of lamb dinner. We had a nice visit around the table and all headed to bed fairly early.

Bean managed to sleep right until 7am today - what a treat. He was up in the night though, demanding to sleep in our bed or be snuggled on the mattress. I am excited to think he'll be in his own room tonight, but also not naive to think that he'll still be calling in the night. Our original plans to go out for breakfast were squashed when Auntie J woke up with the tummy bug that has circulated through the house this last week. Instead she stayed in bed another hour and the kids and Nana had pancakes, strawberries and whipped cream for breakfast. We headed out at 11:30am to drive Auntie J to the airport.

We all went in to the airport to say good-bye. Bean, Schmoo and Nana watched out the window at the fish pond in the waiting area while Auntie J got checked in. We left her to go through security and headed to Tim Horton's for a donut lunch. Back home for quiet time and much potty training distress. I'm at my absolute wit's end with Bean. I'm trying to be positive and supportive but he's starting to drive me bonkers. The other day, when I was cleaning up his poo in his underpants yet again, I asked him why he doesn't poo in the potty. To which he replied, with the biggest grin on his face and cheekiest tone in his voice "because I can poo in my pants". Then this afternoon, after I had taken him for a big pee, he proceeded to pee in his bed only 5 minutes later. Grrrrrrr......

Nana and I headed into town in the afternoon while Papa watched a taped soccer game and the kids had quiet time. Schmoo slept, Bean didn't. We came home following a successful shopping run. Three new shirts for Papa and a new summer outfit for Mama! Plus a whole bag of bribe items for my next attempt at potty training. Papa made up paella for supper and we all ate together tonight. We enjoyed the warm sun on the front deck with the new bubble making toys that Nana bought for the kids today. Bean's lack of sleep kicked in at bathtime and I had to lead him through an expedited bath and bedtime. I REALLY hope he sleeps through tonight. Schmoo is playing quietly in her room since she isn't tired after a big nap today. There's Sunday night shows on tonight so I'll be finding my way to the couch later for those. At last check, Auntie J's flight had succesfully left Vancouver and was due to arrive early in London.

Thanks for a great visit, Auntie J!