the visit, so far

Jessie, Timm, Bella, and Fiona arrived on Wednesday night. So far, it has been chaotic, loud, messy, and wonderful.

This little one is supremely happy. She has a ready smile almost all of the time. She fusses only when hungry, tired, or made about being constrained. I have fed her and put her to bed a couple of times and she did wonderfully well. None of my babies was ever like this!

I seem to have forgotten already how baby toys get strewn everywhere, all excursions revolve around naptimes, and crawlers/walkers find ways to get where and what they want. How did that happen?

Bella and Eva have been getting along swimmingly. (so much better than last year!) For the most part, Eva has been sharing very well, only occasionally needing some alone time. And they are largely playing together from morning till night (when Bella gets exasperated with Eva's nighttime fears -- don't we all?).

I took them with me when Max had his cello lesson, and we went on an Old Navy shopping excursion and to McDonald's for an ice cream cone. They acted like it was the best treat in the entire world. You've gotta love being able to make someone so happy for under $2!

They have jumped on the trampoline, ridden the trike and the scooter, colored endlessly, made pretend food in the play kitchen, and played dinosaurs, Polly Pockets and Littlest Pet Shops for hours on end.

Jessie had to do some errands and prep work for Timm's family reunion, as she is in charge of all the crafts. I'm sure she's working her magic. (the baby food jars are for snow globes)

I have done pretty well with not buying junk or baking treats, but I did buy some Taffy cookies on Saturday, causing Jessie to sniff the empty package (after I emptied them into the cookie jar), enraptured. She cracks me up. It's a good thing she's gone right now, because I baked 6 dozen cookies today for the Pinewood Derby tomorrow.

So far, we've only had one night of game-playing. We made plans to get out the Bananagrams on Friday night, and Max responded with his characteristically teenage quip, "I wasn't invited." Of course, Jessie made him this invitation on a napkin. Even he couldn't resist laughing and he had to give up his adolescent martyrdom and join us. I love having her around.