i love my mom.

My mom came for her monthly visit last weekend. And boy did we have fun. My kids LOVE it when my mom comes. It has become a tradition in itself.

We started off the fun with a visit to Gardner Village (it is Witchapalooza right now):

We had so much fun just hanging out and being together. That night we baked for hours. All sorts of yummy things, including a new recipe for homemade granola (it is fabulous!).

The next evening we went to the elementary school Halloween Carnival. I loved that my mom could be there. The kids had so much fun playing games, playing in the bounce houses, and getting spoiled with all sorts of treats.

That night (after all that sugar!)  my mom watched the kids while LJ and I got to go  - are you ready for this? On a REAL date. With another couple. We had fun. Meanwhile, my mom and the girls played Pirates – a longstanding tradition that must take place whenever Grandma comes for a visit. I’m not really sure how it got started, but it is one of their favorite things ever. And each time my mom comes she has a new pirate accessory or new pirate tattoos. Grant’s bed is always the ship.

Ellie was a mermaid princess this time – she is always Princess Pink.

Addie is Captain Jack or Princess Tiana depending on her mood. Here she is a little of both. :)

And Mace is always Baby Button.

See pirate rules here.

Although I’m just a little bit independent, my mom has always been there whenever I’ve needed her. One day, a few weeks after having Addie, my back went out really bad. LJ had to carry me to bed, because I couldn’t walk. About an hour later, LJ went out to get the mail, and a bee flew out of the mailbox and stung him. He knew he was allergic to bee stings, but hadn’t been stung since he was little, and he couldn’t remember how allergic he was. He immediately got some Benadryl in him, but it was only helping a little bit. And there was no way I could take him to the hospital. Finally, after 150 mg of Benadryl and a few minutes later, LJ was breathing normally but was out cold. In the meantime I was stuck in bed with a newborn and a 2 year old to try to take care of. So I called my mom. She was there in 2 hours (and she lives 1.5 hours away). She stayed for a few days and literally saved us.

We sure love her. My kids adore the non-stop attention, thoughtful activities, books read to them to their hearts content, movie nights, and falling asleep next to grandma. I love to watch them interact, and hanging out with one of my best friends.

I am so thankful for her. And all she does for us. I realize not everybody has that.  Sometimes I sit and wonder if my kids will ever realize how extremely blessed they are to have that...two sets of adoring grandparents who would do anything in the world for them.

Love you, Mom.