The Bottomless Suitcase

We've been running a lot lately. A LOT. Living out of a suitcase really isn't always that much fun. And if you are me, you usually forget something. Heck, a couple of weekends ago we forgot our entire suitcase and had to go to the store and buy clean underoos.

In the past two weeks we have been home (Brookfield/Meadville), Columbia, back home, driven to our own home and then Brookfield/Meadville again this weekend. Seriously, it's a lot. Packing is a lot too. I pack so many of those little cups of baby food.... And let's just talk about phone chargers, baby sleep conditioning CDs, toys, books, swim suits, sunscreen, spoons, sippy cups, and bottle cleaning brushes. Who thinks about these things? Not me either.

Right now and I am thinking about trying to get my girl back into a semi-routine, knowing that we are just going to hit the road again on Friday, I am trying not to lose it thinking about the fact that my phone -with one bar left- is here and my charger is there. I am trying not to think about the fact that there are 5 days between now and Sunday but only 4 pairs of PJs for Reese, equaling another load of laundry. I am trying not to think about which toys have not overstayed their welcome in the rotation or of the massive amounts of baby food I'm going to have to get just to throw in the gigantic basket of random stuff Reese needs. And I am seriously not even going to go to that place in my mind that says, "what are you going to wear to this alumni weekend to cover up your baby weight that you still need to lose?"

Time to Say Goodbye

Today we are taking Maggie home, just as soon as I get off the computer and get all these people packed up. And I can say that I'm sad to see her go. As much work as it's been to have 2 kiddos it's also so much fun having her here. She is so excited about everything and always has a smile on her face. There is no doubt she loves her cousin and she could spend hours trying to cuddle and entertain her. We really had a great time.

But, it is back home today for her and we will wish for another time together when we can go on fun adventures. Maybe she'll come spend the day Christmas shopping again. I just hope we can do it sooner rather than later. She's a great kid and I love soaking up all my time with her.

So, Mags, I hope you had fun, because we sure did. And boy, are we all going to miss you!

Day 2: The Zoo

Today's festivities included making homemade pizza and heading to the zoo. And I'll be the first to tell you that the homemade pizza was the highlight of the day.

I feel like I could write an editorial for the newspaper citing all the ways the Kansas City Zoo is lacking. It was unbelievably heartbreaking to me what a letdown it really was. Upon walking in there are plants and buildings, a carousel, the birds, all kinds of things and then, that's it. I'm serious. It is a humongous walking trail with a wild animal here and there. At one point Maggie just looked at me and said, "well I guess at least we got some exercise."

Part of the reason I wanted to take her to the zoo is for the magic of seeing real, up close and personal animals. I wanted her eyes to light up and for her to smile and point and gasp. Maybe that would've happened, maybe it wouldn't have but to be honest there were never any moments of wonder or awe. It was boring and we barely saw a few snakes and a gorilla. Every time we passed a fan blowing water though, she squealed with delight and ran up to it. That was sad to me, that a wet fan could spark such enthusiasm at a zoo.

We got some great pictures, a little sun, and some good exercise. And maybe we learned a little lesson about paying for second rate attraction when there are two great ones (St. Louis, Omaha) a short enough distance away that we should've just saved up and used our fare for gas money.

Overall it was a good day, even if the zoo wasn't all that exciting. We stayed in our jammies until lunch time and we had some great pizza. We got to get ice cream and play with the cute baby (if I do say so myself). We enjoyed each other's company, played some Wii and had a nice dinner together. I just wish we would've gone to the dinosaur thing at Union Station; they had air conditioning!

Notice the elephants in the background? Yeah, that's as much as we saw too.

Here's Maggie at the end of the day. It was hot and we did a lot of walking. Can you tell?

Day 1: Clifford, Pool, Sleepover

Today started off great! Maggie and her friend, Dustin, Reese and I headed down to Crown Center to the Clifford Exhibit at Crown Center. Mostly it is just a Clifford-themed playground, but it was tons of fun. They climbed and played and posed for pictures. They colored pictures and "mailed" letters. Then we ate lunch at Fritz's, the train depot in Crown Center that delivers food by train to your table. We giggled and gabbed. Dustin just loved it! He he he....

Here's Mags being a goofball on top of Clifford's back.

And here she is in her cute conductor hat. I excluded her friend because I forgot to ask permission before blogging so I just thought better to be safe than sorry.

After lunch the girls went to the pool. We splashed and played but Baby Reese just couldn't hang for long so Maggie stayed and Reese and I headed home for nap time. When Reese woke up, I went to get Maggie and her friend for a sleepover at our house. So far tonight we've had a high heel fashion show, Wii play time, watched movies and had popcorn and now we are patiently waiting for the ice cream man to show up. Hopefully he will be here soon.

So, until tomorrow, when our next adventure begins...good night, I'm exhausted!

Weekend with Maggie

Today is the first day of our weekend with Maggie! We are all super-excited to have her stay with us because we always have a great time. In years past, we have gone to the Gladstone Community Center's inside pool, we have been to Kaleidescope, Legoland, the Wizard of Oz Exhibit, Air Zone, The Crayola Cafe, Fritz's Train Station, and tons of other places. We have fun pictures we've made and taken and we have millions of fun memories that I know we won't soon forget.

So, you can imagine why we are so excited for our weekend together. This weekend we are hoping to go to the zoo, see the Clifford Exhibit at Crown Center, and to hit the pool. Plus maybe get in a little hanging out time with the baby! She just got here and already we are planning out our schedule. First on the long list of events is to write this blog. Maggie is a beautiful writer who loves to send letters and write special stories for the people she loves. This is right up her alley! She even wrote a note today, but she forgot to bring it. I can just imagine the next generation of J.K. Rowling right here in my living room.

As we go through our weekend, we won't forget to post pictures and share our stories, so tune in next time to hear all about Emily Elizabeth and her Big, Red Dog! Love, Maggie and Lindsay

Wordless Wednesday

Nephew!

Yesterday I became the proud aunt to Deakan William Delaney. He was born around 9:30 last night and weighed 7 pounds and 2 ounces and was 20 inches long! Wow, he was long, and has long fingers and toes. They look so cute curled around a finger! He looks very much like his daddy and is such a cutie I could just squeeze him for hours.

Lulu and Jason are doing great, hanging out with little Deakan until Friday when they will be able to go home and the real fun begins!

We are so very excited to have him join our family and look forward to lots of cousin wrestling sessions and rolls in the mud. And secretly I'm going to teach him how to cuss, but don't tell his Mama!

Welcome Deakan, we are so glad you are here!!