Weekend with "A"!

This weekend Cousin Ainsley (aka: "A") and Aunt Heather came to visit. They arrived on Friday and left today, so we had a nice, long fun-filled weekend with them. Julia was just delighted to have Cousin "A" at our house and to see her again. As I have said before, she loves her cousin. Every morning Julia would start her day saying "A?"-basically wondering if Ainsley was awake yet. There was much, much confirmation from Julia that Ainsley was truly there by pointing to Ainsley about every half hour and saying "A". "Yes Julia, that is Ainsley" we would respond. We did so many exciting things: we went to the zoo, a water park, ate great meals and played outside a lot. We were all happily exhausted by the end of the weekend. Having two toddlers at your house is quite the challenge (and quite the mess!), but a lot of fun.

Julia and Ainsley lounging in the Lazy Boy after being outside

Aunt Heather and Ainsley at the zoo

Looking at the pretty flamingos

Gazing at the fish in the aquarium

Ainsley greeting the goats (Julia wouldn't go near them)

At the zoo, they have a splash pad with all kinds of sprinklers and water spouts...Ainsley had a great time running through them. Julia, who is definitely not as brave or adventurous as Ainsley, thought it was best to watch from afar in her stroller.

Zonked out on the ride home from the zoo (this was the exact same scene on the way home from the water park the next day)

Ainsley riding a bike (she wouldn't go on it without a helmet...safety first!)

Julia decided to strut her stuff along side of Ainsley on the bike

After the bike ride, Ainsley wouldn't take off the helmet and kept it on for a couple of hours afterwards!

Parting is such sweet sorrow... Julia and Ainsley giving each other a hug goodbye before Heather and Ainsley headed back home

Parenting Lesson # 6,724

Never ever take your eyes off a toddler who seems to be content and happy, but oddly quite when "drawing" with markers. This is what can happen...

Her whole mouth was blue including her tongue, teeth and the inside of her cheeks

Lesson learned.

Landscaping Reveal!

The landscaping is done! Only took about a week. What a remarkable difference it makes. Click here to see the before pictures again and scroll down to see the after pictures...

Julia loves the new landscaping. She loves to walk in the rocks and also sit on a few of the bigger ones in the front yard.

Front

Backyard...where the brush used to be...huge difference!

My veggie garden with grape tomatoes, big tomatoes, red and green peppers, cucumbers, peas, dill, basil, cilantro and chives. Can't wait to eat it all!