Family and Friend Time

This afternoon, when Noah woke up from his nap, we spent a little time in my room while talking with Ben and putting away my clean clothes. While I had my back to him and was hanging up shirts, Noah exclaimed with a sense of urgency in his voice, "Mommy!! Where'd my legs go?!?" I turned around to see him sitting like this, as he exploded into a fit of giggles.

Apparently, trying on Mommy's pants is hysterical fun.

***

This evening, two of our very good and dear friends stopped by to visit and join us for dinner before heading back home to Denton. Jordan was a session leader at a program called Global Reunion, a camp for Third Culture Kids {TCKs} and since school is not in session yet, April came with him. It had been far too long since we had seen them, so I was grateful they were able to spend some time with us before heading home.

I know I've said it once and I'm sure I'll say it again, but I'm so grateful for good friends. Who not only love me and Ben, but adore my kids. Because my kids sure love them. And who'll also endure Chili's with us... yet again.

We miss you guys!

♥

A Week in the Life | Saturday

For the first time since we've been here, the kids slept past 7:30. In the same room. Mostly thanks to moving Ellie's "monkey bed" {aka pack 'n' play} into the room. We were awakened by Skype.

Ellie was not impressed.

In fact, she wanted to go back to sleep. In my bed. So we let her. We knew she was tired because even tempting her with breakfast wouldn't lure her out of bed. I'm starting to think she was catching up on 2.5 months worth of missed sleep.

Puzzles + breakfast

Still snoozing.

Chick-fil-a with everyone for lunch before we headed to the airport to pick up the honeymooners.

"I just putting my foot up like Papa's, Mommy."

Welcome back home to you two!

Makes me anxious for the next person I'll be picking up from the airport {though, not for quite some more time}.

Mom and Daddy-Man had a wedding to go to, so the kids and I took the evening for ourselves to have what has become a family tradition: pizza + movie {picnic} night. Noah's choice tonight: The Wild Thornberry's.

Paused the movie to take baths. Noah's new favorite thing to do once Ellie is out is lay down and "float".

Nana and Papa got home during bathtime and finished the movie up with us.

And even had a dance party with us.

After the kids were in bed, Skype and Euchre with some of our Dearest Friends. And finally got to see their darling newest Little One.

♥

A Week in the Life | Friday

A quick game of "Where's Daddy?" is certain to perk a still slightly peaked little girl right up.

Cheerios were requested, despite biscuits and bananas already being prepped.

Painting time while Ellie took a much needed morning nap.

Quiet reading time while Mommy fixed lunch.

A certain Little One couldn't decide if she wanted on my lap or off. Pump site #2 of the day was the casualty of one of the "I-need-down-before-I-fall-asleep" moments before afternoon naps.

"Mommy, will you snuggle with me too?"

"Please take a pi'shure of Knight Noah. I'm the knight and Ellie is the princess and you are the King Mommy."

First stop after nap: train table.

"It's a party, Mommy. A surprise car party on your bed."

Pit stop on the way home from dinner at El Chico.

A Week in the Life | Thursday

Morning Skype date with Daddy...

and what he was seeing on our side.
Mid-morning Lego time...
while Sissy watches carefully and quickly grabs rouge pieces.
A quick {first} trip to the new Target in Moore... and a reminder that we will NOT be buying any toys today.

Pre-nap time-out for yelling at Mommy.

Short nap = Larry Boy and the Bad Apple so Mommy can keep working on updating the blog.

Naptime for the Littlest One was a little shorter than usual as well.

Me: "Are you ready for swim class?"

Noah: "I can't WAIT!"

Swimming on the floating barbell without the teacher's assistance!

Tired, but content.

Reviewing favorite quotes from Emma during two-hour, late night battle of wills with Ellie.

She won. And ended up back in the pack in play in the closet for the night, while I cleaned the floor and Noah slept in my bed.

Fantastic.

A Week in the Life | Wednesday

After breakfast game of "Where's Ellie?"

And "How Many Ways Can I 'Not Fall' Off My Bed?".

Empty... so we can refill.

Independent reading time = getting back into our old routines.

Goodies for Mommy's independent reading time arrived today as well, though most of the Bottlecaps will be mailed to Daddy.

Explaining to Nana what he gets to do during "swim class".

Extra cuddles and thank yous to Aunt BB for keeping her during swim lessons and for making us all dinner at her house.

Bedtime routine.

Skype date for us.