It was a great visit (And other things you say at the end)
My Dad and his wife, Cheryl, spent a week with us for Halloween. I was uncharacteristically calm about the impending visit, until the day they were due to arrive and I started FREAKING out about the state of cleanliness in our home. I'm a crazy person. I cannot stress this enough.
I did the best I could to facilitate the Grandparents and Nora hanging out and getting to know one another. It took my baby girl a few days to warm up to the idea of sharing her house with virtual strangers, but once she figured out they, Grandpa especially, was willing to lavish treats and attention upon her she was following them around like a little duck. It was pretty cute.
We had grand plans to take her places and do things, but we ended up making only one trip out. We took her to eat lunch and pick out an early Christmas present. Dad went overboard and bought one of those backyard play sets for Nora. I have used it nearly every day since we got it. Twice a day. Anything to get the kid out of the house and playing with something that isn't me. I like watching her explore and test herself.
The play structure has climbing walls and a slide and a telescope and kind of has a Pirate Ship flair to it. Nora hasn't embraced sliding down entirely, but she likes climbing up the slide and over the rock wall. I think she feels like a Big Girl when she gets to the top and can stare out at the yard. It must be a really neat perspective for someone her size and age.
For a couple of days we left the box the play set came in in the yard so that Nora could play with it. We'd crawl inside and make as much noise as we could; banging our hands on the cardboard ceiling and roof. She's finally comfortable enough copying simple rhythms (Thanks, Jack's Big Music Show) and we took turns making drum sounds in the echoing clubhouse. Of course, rain came and we had to dismantle the cardboard monstrosity and retire it to the garage.
Dad and Cheryl took us out to eat one night. We went to an Asian restaurant and Nora LOVED it. She behaved fairly well, considering her age and limited "in public" time. She surprised everyone at the table by waving at strangers and smiling. (She never does that.) We ordered a tempura plate for her and she munched happily while the rest of us ate. She stole a few pieces of Adam's sushi, but didn't seem to suffer from it.
Since my family was technically on vacation, they did do a few tourist-y things without us and the break helped me keep from spiraling out of control. (I used the time to clean. Of course.) I have to hope that they had a good time.
They brought their dog, Coco, who had to spend a lot of time locked in the guest room because my dog, Hermione, is a jerk. And Bishop, the cat, thought it was HILARIOUS to chase Coco around. Or he would hide and jump on Coco as she walked by. It was funny to watch, but you couldn't help but feel bad for the poor dog. She wasn't used to being treated so poorly and I have assholes for pets.
All in all, the visit could have been way worse. We had laughs and took pictures. Nora got the awesome feeling of being with loving grandparents who think she can do no wrong. And every kid deserves small doses of blind devotion.
Now, to de-program her......
I did the best I could to facilitate the Grandparents and Nora hanging out and getting to know one another. It took my baby girl a few days to warm up to the idea of sharing her house with virtual strangers, but once she figured out they, Grandpa especially, was willing to lavish treats and attention upon her she was following them around like a little duck. It was pretty cute.
We had grand plans to take her places and do things, but we ended up making only one trip out. We took her to eat lunch and pick out an early Christmas present. Dad went overboard and bought one of those backyard play sets for Nora. I have used it nearly every day since we got it. Twice a day. Anything to get the kid out of the house and playing with something that isn't me. I like watching her explore and test herself.
The play structure has climbing walls and a slide and a telescope and kind of has a Pirate Ship flair to it. Nora hasn't embraced sliding down entirely, but she likes climbing up the slide and over the rock wall. I think she feels like a Big Girl when she gets to the top and can stare out at the yard. It must be a really neat perspective for someone her size and age.
For a couple of days we left the box the play set came in in the yard so that Nora could play with it. We'd crawl inside and make as much noise as we could; banging our hands on the cardboard ceiling and roof. She's finally comfortable enough copying simple rhythms (Thanks, Jack's Big Music Show) and we took turns making drum sounds in the echoing clubhouse. Of course, rain came and we had to dismantle the cardboard monstrosity and retire it to the garage.
Dad and Cheryl took us out to eat one night. We went to an Asian restaurant and Nora LOVED it. She behaved fairly well, considering her age and limited "in public" time. She surprised everyone at the table by waving at strangers and smiling. (She never does that.) We ordered a tempura plate for her and she munched happily while the rest of us ate. She stole a few pieces of Adam's sushi, but didn't seem to suffer from it.
Since my family was technically on vacation, they did do a few tourist-y things without us and the break helped me keep from spiraling out of control. (I used the time to clean. Of course.) I have to hope that they had a good time.
They brought their dog, Coco, who had to spend a lot of time locked in the guest room because my dog, Hermione, is a jerk. And Bishop, the cat, thought it was HILARIOUS to chase Coco around. Or he would hide and jump on Coco as she walked by. It was funny to watch, but you couldn't help but feel bad for the poor dog. She wasn't used to being treated so poorly and I have assholes for pets.
All in all, the visit could have been way worse. We had laughs and took pictures. Nora got the awesome feeling of being with loving grandparents who think she can do no wrong. And every kid deserves small doses of blind devotion.
Now, to de-program her......
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