My mom came to visit this weekend. She arrived on Thursday night and left just after lunch on Tuesday. Hannah was very happy that Grammy came to visit for a few days, though we did have a series of unfortunate events. On Saturday, we headed to Fort Myers for an afternoon that centered around Hannah getting her 2nd birthday pictures. She looked precious in her new dress from her other Grandma, and she was laughing and smiling as we waited in the lobby of the JC Penney's Portrait Studio.
Well, the laughter stopped the minute we walked into the room with the camera. She started screaming and crying. I'll admit the room was dark, and our photographer was less than friendly--definitely not a kid atmosphere. I had not anticipated a reaction like this, as Hannah normally hams it up for the camera. When we finally decided to leave, Hannah was clutching Jonathan so tightly that he didn't have to hold her. I'm contemplating an appointment with The Picture People, but won't be thrilled if we drive to the coast, sit for pictures, and enjoy the same experience.
After some lunch at the food court, I decided to drag everyone to a flea market that I had heard SO much about. I love shopping for old furniture, etc. and fixing it up, and I had visions of finding Southern Living steals and very cheap unique gifts. I had been told the flea market was great--it was NOT. I had been told the flea market was air conditioned--it was NOT. After combing through four very long sections of a typically sketchy flea market, I felt I had tortured my family enough, and we headed home with our three random purchases in tow--double "A" batteries for moms hand held fan (turned out to be too short), a plastic place mat with dolphins and fish on it (for Hannah), and ceramic Gamecock coasters.
Our streak of unfortunate events seemed to carry over into Sunday. Hannah had two accidents in the nursery, soaking her dress and wetting the lap of poor Taylor (a youth who helps in the nursery). Hannah has been doing so well and had gone an entire day at the coast with no accidents, so I was quite surprised when I picked her up from the nursery after service. Well, apparently she was not done, because while we were waiting for Jonathan to get out of a finance committee meeting, Hannah decided the petunias in the courtyard needed to be watered--so to speak. At this point, her shoes were soaked as well. My daughter left church on Sunday in her panties.
Hannah decided to end her streak of accidents on Sunday by going to the bathroom on Grammy's lap later that afternoon.The rest of our visit with Grammy was peaceful. Hannah and Grammy played, watered the flowers, worked on riding her tricycle, rocked on the porch, went swimming, opened birthday presents, and helped mommy make chocolate chip cookies.
Rocking on the porch.
Hannah waters the flowers.
A quick picture after church--before Hannah "watered" the petunias.
Hannah opened some birthday presents from Grammy. Grammy added dishes and play food to her kitchen paraphernalia. When Hannah gets her kitchen next week, she'll be ready to cook.
In less than six hours, we will be leaving for Orlando for a two day vacation. We are staying at the Radisson Resort and taking Hannah to the Magic Kingdom on Monday. We decided to combine a family vacation with a fun birthday celebration for Hannah, and I am so excited. We started talking about this a few months ago, but there was one stipulation. . . camel cake. Let me explain! When Jonathan's mom was here over the summer, we took Hannah to the zoo, and she talked about camels for days. So, Jonathan picked up on this and started teasing me--saying I was going to have to make Hannah a camel birthday cake. When I approached him with my Disney World idea, he told me we could go under one condition . . . if I made Hannah a camel birthday cake. He would coach her to say, "I love camels," and "Camel cake mommy." Hannah actually decided she wanted a fish cake and when Jonathan tried to get her to say camel cake yesterday, she told him, "No camel cake . . . shisshy cake Daddy." I knew Jonathan was joking, but just for fun I ordered a camel cookie cutter, and by way of compromise, I spent yesterday afternoon making camel cookies.
