A "Grand" Week

(I apologize in advance for the weird formatting--I'm still a blog novice.)

Grandma and Grandpa Bowcut have come and gone. We’ve had a lovely week with them. We love when they come to see us. This is why.

Jana—gets some help entertaining the kids, which was much appreciated during this busy time while Brian is preparing for an upcoming business trip. It is beyond helpful to have an extra set of hands to help with dinner or to keep Ella out of the kitchen. And as the house continues to sit on the market, they have chipped in to keep it tidy and help us with some projects. A week without having to bring Samantha to pre-school drop-off and pick-up was heavenly. They more than earn their keep.


Brian—gets a bit of a respite from taking the bus to and from the metro each day. Although not a fan in his teenage years, his father’s early waking hours are perhaps not so bad after all if they mean he gets a lift. In addition to giving him peace of mind that Jana is getting extra help at home, his father’s proclivity for frequent lawn mowing has served Brian well. Plus, he usually gets a visit downtown for lunch and secretly enjoys the customary battle of “who gets to pay for what.” Although Brian wasn’t as available as he would have liked on this trip, we got to do
some fun things together: a Nationals baseball game (in which they lost miserably), a visit to the Live Butterfly exhibit at Brookside Gardens, Ella accompanied them to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum, and we got to give them the grand tour of our new house (well, almost new house). (Gary, I forgot to have you upload your photos on my computer—will you send us a CD?!)



Ella-- enjoys much spoiling. She anticipates that this will happen, and thus begins the countdown one week prior to their arrival. Highlights from the week include a new paper doll book that Grandma spent hours working on with her; new butterfly stickers from the butterfly exhibit; countless games of Memory; new clothes from Gymboree; and last, but certainly not least, a new golf set (not a toy golf set mind you, but a Jack Nicklaus golf set complete with pink bag, a putter, irons and woods with accompanying covers...oh, and matching hat. Grandpa is training his future golfing partner.)

Samantha-- by far the recipient of much doting. Her grandparents are putty in her hands and one toothy smile immediately triggers a kiss or being picked up. She’s got this grandparent thing figured out already. After their visit she has become a star clapper and has almost mastered the art of imitating.

I think Samantha is already in attention withdrawal—she screamed all the way home from the airport with no one to entertain her in the back seat. Despite her grandfather’s claim that her eyes are turning brown, the blue color is holding out and will certainly triumph in the end.

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa—come see us again soon. We love you!