Birthday Visitors!

My parents ("Nanny & Poppy") arrived last Thursday afternoon, anxious for a visit with the kids and excited for Nate's birthday weekend.

 

For the first time EVER, Nanny did not bring any new clothes with her for the kids. Now that they are both in uniforms, I told her they didn't need much. I think she cried the whole way here :) But, she did bring Abby a new blanket (similar to a one Abby was obsessed with while at Camp Nanny & Poppy), and I think Abby wore it around all weekend long. My girl loooooves a soft blanket.

 

Friday while the kids were at school, Nanny helped me with some last minute party stuff, while Poppy did what he does best....taking care of the cars! We had lunch at Manna Grocery & Deli, and though Mom & I loved our meals, I'm not sure Dad did. It's a bit of health-food place, and when he saw green bits in his turkey & cheese Panini, he asked if it was seaweed :)

 

Friday afternoon, Poppy & Nate disappeared to look up Pokémon card values on the computer, while Nanny & Abby had a karoke and dancing contest in the playroom. This girl is a n.u.t.....she just LOVES seeing herself dance on the tv!

 

 Friday night, we took N&P to Summer Snow for the best sno-cones on the planet!

Saturday was Nate's birthday party in Birmingham. Click here to read more about that. We left at 8:45 am and didn't get home till almost 3 pm! Needless to say, we all went to separate rooms/corners of the house for much needed rest time.

 

Nate was dying to open his presents, so we finally let him later that afternoon. As usual, his friends & family went above & beyond, and he got some great stuff!! Legos, Minecraft swords, books, movies, SpyGear, Barnes & Noble gift cards, Snap Circuit sets, and Pokémon cards. This kid is SET!

 Greg had planned to grill out steaks Saturday night but it was too stormy. And did I mention we had had a long day?! So we got take-out from Mr. Chen's (best Chinese ever!) instead.

 

Sunday morning, I fixed a big breakfast and then there was some snuggling, target practice, Pokémon card trading, and sword-fighting before church.

 Sunday afternoon, we took N&P to a new attraction called the Space Net. It's at a local park, and contains a 40 foot high rope climb. Nate is able to do it without any help, but Miss Priss got some assistance from her very patient Daddy. (While I stayed with both feet firmly planted on the ground. Someone's got to take pictures, right?!)

We have been to the Space Net once before, and Abby got about halfway up before deciding to come down. Well, this time, she decided she wanted to make it to the top! Thanks to her Daddy & awesome big brother, she made it!!!! #fearless



After you climb the netting, you travel across a tunnel, and take
the slide down to the ground.



Look how high up they are!



Coming down the slide

 Abby clearly has no fear of heights - she literally was singing and shaking her booty at one point while climbing! - but Greg said she was scared to go down the slide because it was so dark! Luckily, she went down on his lap and did great. And she says that next time, she'll do it alone! So proud of my girl. There were a lot of older kids there - like 12, 13 years old - that were too scared to climb the whole Space Net.

 Sunday night, Greg finally got to grill those steaks, even though it was still raining on & off. We played a new game called PicWits after dinner, and it's a new family fave. (I think it was a Christmas present from Mum Mum & Granddaddy!?)



Look what I found in the living room before bedtime :)

Nanny & Poppy headed out Monday morning, as the kids were getting ready for school. As usual, we had a great visit and I'm so thankful for the time they get to spend with my kids. And this visit, they were a tremendous help in getting the party set up & transporting whiny kids to & from Birmingham :) Thank you again for everything!!

(Sidebar: after 2 days and a combined 7 hours, Nate finished his Lego set from N&P! It's the Legends of Chima Flying Phoenix Fire Temple, with 1301 pieces. He was pretty proud of himself!)