We just finished a wonderful visit with Mom (Gran), who was able to visit for five days. Unemployment has its perks, huh? The kids absolutely loved having her here. They continually asked her to read them stories and push them on the swings, to which she sweetly obliged.



Fun dying eggs at Nancy's house:


A neat highlight was their introduction to her flute last night. They were delighted and requested song after song. She played lots of kids songs and several hymns that they know and love (Beautiful Savior, Holy, Holy, Holy, Christ the Lord is Risen Today). Wild dancing and scooter riding quickly ensued.

When she started the hymns (which are lullabies around here), Bridger decided it was time for bed, got his lovies (Baba and Oof Oof), and made a bed on the carpet. He was quite disgusted when we told him he still had to go to his real bed.



Although these pictures are from last summer, it seems fitting to include them. Cousin Robyn was kind enough to introduce her bassoon to us. She played pretty music, but even more impressive, she made funny squeal-y sounds and blew up a glove on the end!



Last night we took the kids to their first Hibachi restaurant, which they loved. Even though Brooke was scared of the fire, she said it was her new favorite restaurant. Of course, the kiddie chopsticks (spring-loaded) with the pink umbrella was a bit hit. In another funny word mix-up, she called them "chapsticks!" Bridger decided his was an airplane. His didn't make it home, and Brooke's met their demise thanks to him this morning. I promised that if we go back we'll ask for another pink one.



Finally, this morning, we went to see my good friend and mentor from church, Alison Ibsen. Alison is a neat lady; she and I meet a couple times a month to talk, pray, and ride horses (although we're doing ground work this year due to my pregnancy). We had a great time introducing Mom and visiting with her horses, particularly Scotty, who is really an overgrown Labrador Retriever incognito. We groomed him and the kids even got to sit on him! Brooke seemed very comfortable up there. Bridger held very tightly onto Brooke!



Alas, the good visit had to end. Bye bye Gran:

Poor Bridger was very disappointed when he woke up from his nap: after playing in the back yard, he very excitedly yelled "I go find Gran!" and ran to the front yard to find her car, which was sadly heading north to KY. (Fortunately, I was able to console him with the promise of going to Grandmother's house down in MacDonough tomorrow! Let the grandparenting fun continue!)