Weekend with Grandma & Grandpa

Matt and I have been debating forever about whether or not to refinish the hardwood floors in our kitchen. We knew the look would be a huge improvement over the perma-dirt that existed, but the idea of the noise, the smell, and the dust - not to mention giving up use of the kitchen for a few days - didn't seem like a rockin' good time. So we decided that I would disappear for a few days and let him take care of it without interruption. Last Friday I came home from work, packed up the mom-mobile, picked up Geeg at daycare, and off she, Ralphie, and I went to MN for a long weekend to visit Grandma and Grandpa (henceforth known as Pop Pop).

The trip there was great through about the Dells. We stopped off for dinner which now takes AN HOUR (let dog out. Change child. Hit the restroom with child in tow. Wash and/or disinfect own hands, child's hands, table. Wait for food. Wait for food to cool down. Wait for minuscule droplets of applesauce to enter child's mouth. Work hard to keep patience in check. Glance at watch. Shovel remaining applesauce and chicken fingers in mouth. Get back on the road). But she was in a good mood so life was fine. As we approached Tomah I saw menacing clouds in the distance. By the time we reached LaCrosse the rain and lightning was in effect, and by the time we crossed over to MN the wipers were on full blast. This, followed by 15 miles of one-lane-only traffic, was not my idea of a fun time. She was screaming, the dog was drooling all over our stuff in the back, and then my gas light came on. We pulled into the driveway around 9 and I have never been happier to get the hell out of a car.

Outside of that adventure, we had a great time! On Saturday we went with Grandma to Oxbow Park, which is a combination zoo/rescue for injured animals who cannot be released back into the wild. GG liked looking at all the big birds (and identified the bald eagle handily - thank you Eric Carle books), wild cats, and the buffalo. And there were the goats, which of course Grandma was enamored with. Plus the space is small enough that we could just let her run loose like a banshee, so that was fun too.

Apparently I have been shortsighted in not purchasing a big, heavy swing. She could have pushed this thing all day


Styling mama's hair. Perhaps to look like a buffalo?

We met up with Pop Pop for lunch and then home for a nap. Except the little cherub decided that, nah, she was going to choose to not nap that day. ADORABLE . So we played naked baby in the pool (aka the 'cool') and took rides in the wagon, which was a HUGE hit. It's the wagon Grant and I had as kids, so it's one of the big metal Radio Fliers. Shockingly challenging to pull uphill with a chunky monkey riding in the back. Anyway Genevieve was cashed out by about 7 - no nap and all - so she hit the hay and Grandma and I hit up the 30% off sale at Old Navy. Because my kid needs more clothes. Wait...what?

Sunday morning we ventured out for a playdate with the Kroenings. The weather was not great and misted while we were at the park, but the kids still had a good time. It was so funny to see the two super busy and outgoing toddlers turn into shy little bunnies around each other. They got over it though, and it was fun to catch up with Kyle and Robin, and of course get some snuggles in with baby Henry!

After the park we walked a block over to one of Pop Pop's gardens to harvest sugar snap peas. The home belongs to a Dr. friend of theirs who is always traveling, so my dad gets run of the garden and also use of the garage to store the Duster. Which makes me wonder when he ever drives the Duster, but I digress. We plucked off at least 6 or 7 Ziploc bags worth of juicy snaps, not to mention the few dozen that didn't even make it as far as the bag. Yum!

Wheeeeeeee


The stare-down


We know you parent-types think it's all cute that we're all cute and can't fathom why we don't just run into each other's arms, but no, we are not that excited to see each other at this very second and no, we will not adorably sit together on the slide. Thanks for asking.


Catching some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz's


Le jardin

After our busy morning Genevieve fell asleep in the car and mercifully stayed asleep as I hauled her to her crib. She was famished when she woke up a few hours later and Grandma decided to take the opportunity to give GG her first pedicure. She LOVED it.

Totally intrigued and loving it

Admiring her toes


Her newest 'surprised' face


And a little love for Ralphie, too

After a little more time outside Uncle Grant came home and went to play his drums in the basement. GG was really interested to see what the racket was, and we let her sit on the stool and play for herself. She was totally into it, which was both adorable and worrying. Also both adorable and worrying were the multiple trips she took with Pop Pop down the boulevard in the red wagon. They both had a grand old time and only gave me a minor stroke. No permanent damage.

Up, up...


And away!!!

We had breakfast with Grandma on Monday morning and then packed up to hit the road back home. GG was as good as she could have been, although I was totally prepared with a new Thomas DVD and other goodies at the ready. Another hour long stop and multiple construction delays later, we finally rolled into Tosa late-afternoon. We walked in to the kitchen and the floors looked awesome. Sure, there's a fine layer of dust covering most everything (the kind that gets in no matter how much plastic you tape up), but we're not on the parade of homes here and it'll get cleaned eventually.

Ralphie is super impressed

And now friends, a brief lesson in what happens when one attempts to climb a tunnel whilst wearing a tutu:

Going up...


...and coming down