Week 40 - Siobhan, Phil and Maebh visit

My friend and volleyball teammate came to visit with her husband Phil and their daughter Maebh (you'd say that 'mave'). Her daughter is 16 months and it really got Andre and I excited for what's to come. She's walking, talking, eating real meals, and is just adorable. We had an eventful week together!

Before I begin this week, this was last weeks trip to the park. We made it out of the rain just in time to get to Lisa's for some fun and a swim. We left by 12ish for lunch and naps. Thank you Aunt Lisa for letting us crash your pad and get out of the rain.

Tyler climbing like a pro. This made me very nervous. I stood under him then backed up fast for a quick picture. I had Clara in my arms so I'm not sure how much good I'd actually do if he fell, but he was quite confident. He didn't look back to see if I was watching, he didn't hesitate for a moment on his way up. So, if this was something he has never done before, I wouldn't know. When I see them hesitate at something I know it must be something new or something they're not supposed to do. His confidence in himself made me believe he was okay to do this. 

Clara loving the grass and Julia loving the breeze.

Clara "playing"

Isaac playing in the water at the end of the slide.

They must love Thursdays with Aunt Barbie. I think I'm their only babysitter who has them do homework. Yep, I'm the lame one.

I told Clara at her doctors I was going to tell on her if she didn't hold her own bottle. So she did. Then gave it up again as soon as we left. I know she can, just one of the few things she lets me do for her. So I will, happily.

Siobhan, Maebh, and Phil on the plane.

Taking a dip.

Tuesdays with Julia. She is such a sweet pea. We loved having three baby girls in the house!!!

Jumbo bear was a hit!

We crashed the beach by Lisa and then her pool. What would we do without her?!?! These pictures are from my phone, more from the cannon will come.

Off to the beach.

Thursdays with my crew! Off to the park in the am!

Monkeys

Dylan asked Clara to watch his ball while he table jumped while we waited for the rain to go. Tyler then asked her to watch his rake, he's not sure if he made the right choice.

I feel like I've made it harder on Tiffany instead of easier while watching her kids. The first time I went over I took an easy skillet dinner and had it ready. I made lunch for the boys since I only had them half of a day, and only had the girls in the morning. Since then she's made sure they have some kind of easy lunch and a planned dinner. She doesn't usually map out their days and they all do just fine without the map. I don't sit still well, so if the girls are asleep and the boys are occupied I try and help with dishes and laundry. Now she cleans before I come, has the boys do chores, has a plan for lunch and dinner...not good, not her way. I was tryimg to help her and feel I've done the opposite. Growing up babysitting that was the routine, watch/play with the kids, clean in spare time... The boys are capable of lunch on their own, even if there's no plan. They'll snack healthy and fend for themselves until Tiffany or Steven gets home if there's no dinner. My intent was to help but I feel I've made life more stressful for Tiffany, keeping her up on Wednesdays doing things she normally wouldn't do. So my darling Tiffy, rest, relax, I really want to help...not make life harder! Don't do anything out of your ordinary.

Here is Dylan doing his chores, Isaac soon followed. Life when Aunt Barbie shows up gets worse and worse for these kids! First learning, now chores!

Julia, Miss Happy Camper

Isaac enjoying a sweet treat from my neighbor Nancy. It's insane how she spoils us so. She's been doing a lot of traveling this summer but as soon as she returns we have a fridge full! From delicious cup cakes, to pastas, pork, Italian desserts, beans, potatoes, cheese, etc. The list is endless. I'm doing her NO justice either since all of the items listed above aren't just as simple as they're listed. They're all cooked with seasons and herbs and have real Italian names but I don't remember them, or can't spell them if I do. It's all to die for. Thank you Nancy!!!

Sidewalk chalk & popsicles.

Isaac asked me to cut some fruit. Tiffany has a plethora of delicious fruit to choose from. I did half of everything and it was gone in a matter of minutes so I cut up the other half. These boys eat so healthy!

Sweet pea fast asleep. The towel had her on her side to start. I love this position. I laid her down awake!! She is growing up too fast!

As I was watching the kids Brandace sends me this of Els & Gram. I'm so thankful Grammy gets to watch one of her great grandbabies grow!! Elsa is getting so big already!

A late bday gift for mommy. Window pictures the boys painted.

I had the boys playing addition and subtraction war. Then real "war". Clara thought she was playing along. Dylan taking a break to check his phone. ;) Steven gave him his old phone, not hooked up. He had alarms set and he added contacts, so fun.

Monday I grabbed them from the airport and we got lunch at Chipotle. Yum. Back to the house for a dip!

 Such a doll.

Learning a little Spanish

 We pulled them back time and time again...the good news is they didn't watch long.

At Lisa's house before the beach. She has perfect spots for little bodies!

Phil is so good, always ready to play and lend a helping hand.

Beach bound

Aunt Lisa has the set up! Thank you Lisa!

Back to swim!

 

Our girls

Such a cutie, love her hands

FL Aquarium - we got there with 30 minutes to spare. They let us in for free and we saw a lot in 30 minutes! It was perfect.

 

 

 

Our week flew by. We did as much as we could between naps and even cut some napping out! Our girls were champs! Thanks so much for taking the time to visit!!! Maebh was not excited about leaving as you can see!!