Mimi and Papa's

The Frisco Colletts made a trip south this weekend to meet up with the West Colletts and visit Mimi and Papa. Mimi's birthday is coming up this week, and it had been three months since Harper and Jack had gotten to see their grandparents, so we were long overdue for a visit.

Tony loaded up the kids and the car Friday afternoon, and picked me up after work to head to The Woodlands. We decide to delay the kids' nap in hopes that they'd sleep in the car- and it worked! Harper slept longer than Jack, but both kids did great on the drive down and were even okay when we got stuck in traffic 5 miles from our destination (a frustrating start to our trip).

We were very excited to get the cousins together and even though Ryan, Erica, and Emmy arrived after our kids were asleep Friday night, the cousins were quick to make friends and start playing first thing Saturday morning. The biggest hit with the grandkids was a red spring horse that Mimi had when she was a child. Tony commented that I'm sure his grandfather never thought, when the bought the horse, that his great-grandchildren would get such a kick out of it.

The kids also did a great job taking turns on the horse and riding with each other. Some of the sweetest moments were when Jack and Emmy were riding together and she was hugging him and he was laughing- cousins are so much fun! Speaking of Emmy- Jack took a shine to her immediately and he loves to say her name. Anytime Emmy was napping and Jack was awake he walking around the house saying "Emmy, Emmy, Emmy!" In fact, on the way home we could hear him saying "Emmy" in the back seat when he woke up from his nap.

Emmy and Harper got along well too; Harper struggled with saying "Emmy" and preferred to call her "Emma" instead- we'll get there. Harper got upset when Emmy would wander over where Harper was playing and Harper would say "no, no" when Emmy would try and play with her. I think that Harper is going to need to be reminded of her sharing rules. But, other than the time Harper told her "no", the girls got along great as well.

Saturday night we threw a birthday party for Mimi complete with hats, noise makers, and a birthday cake. The kids had a great time playing with the hats, and Harper and Jack were still insisting that we wear them on Sunday afternoon.

Jack also really enjoyed singing "Happy Birthday" and he would walk around saying "Hap- Bur" and requesting that we sing again (that is the first time anyone has requested that I sing something more than once).

I think that Mimi enjoyed her birthday party; it was fun to be able to be with her close to her birthday (which is coming up this week), and it was fun to see the kids with her. Jack has learned to say "Mimi" and requested her to read so many books to him. He also walked around bellowing "Mimi!" throughout the house.

The kids also got to spend some time with Tony's dad who took Harper and Jack down to the pond in his neighborhood to see the turtles and the fish. Both Jack and Harper liked the pond, but they enjoyed the walk to and from the pond even better. I think that's the furthest they've ever walked (a block or two), and they loved holding our hands and being able to walk instead of being carried.  I know that they're getting big, but this just confirmed it.

Our big kids were also troopers on the way home this afternoon. Harper slept from Conroe to Dallas and Jack also took a nice nap. Both Tony and I were a little nervous about traveling with them, but they were great. Jack sat in the back and talked to his toys and looked at himself in his mirror while Harper snoozed. We got back in time for the kids to play a little before dinner and bed time.

It was so nice to be able to get away for the weekend- shout out to Nana and Pop who let Abby come over so she didn't have to make the trek with us. It was even nicer to be able to see our family that we don't get to see near as much as we want to.

If you're a prayerful person, would you please put Harper and Jack's Mimi, Debbie, on your prayer list? She is a very brave lady who is going through some health complications and could use your prayers. I know that she'll probably kill me for writing this, but I love her too much not to reach out and ask you to please pray for her.

That's all for tonight- I know this week will be filled with more stress and drama and headaches and trying moments, but I also know that it will be filled with squeals and giggles and cuddles and moments that take my breath away. Lord, please let us focus this week on all that we have- all those precious blessings- instead of dwelling on the things we don't have. Amen.