Thursday, August 13, 2009

the rest of the visit

Jessie and her girls left today. I have a lot of conflicting emotions right now. I knew I couldn't really afford to spend any more time just hanging out when I have so much to do to get ready to leave the country. Lucas's birthday is tomorrow and I need to spend some time focusing on him. Eva's sick and is therefore even more demanding than usual. I am feeling sick myself and totally sleep-deprived.

But oh how I hate to see my sister leave and go back to her home which is so very far away...

And so, some pictures celebrating the rest of her stay.

Who wouldn't want to play under the table? (in jammies, no less)

Bella and Eva were both invited to Mya's birthday party and had a blast playing in the water. You wouldn't know it from this picture, but Eva (in true Eva fashion) would run down the slip n slide and then stop and fall to her knees at the end.

Darling Fiona loved the tire swing (in Hannah's mom's backyard).

Quality coloring time (a shared passion).

Max made his wonderful cream puffs. Jessie succumbed and ate one, but then felt sick. I suffered no such repercussions.

In true best-for-last style, we had an awesome day of reduced child responsibilities yesterday. Jill took the older girls and Lucas to her house for the whole day -- despite Eva being under the weather and crankier than usual -- while Jessie, Hannah and I spent the day working on a quilt, chatting, eating, listening to music, and laughing. It was good for the soul.

Jessie made a whole lap quilt, start to finish, in two days! It made me want to quilt again.

Hannah and I made camera strap covers, which are oh so pleasing to me. I made invitations for Lucas's party. And we helped Jess with her quilt. (Jill even brought her sewing machine over so we could do tandem sewing!)

Cafe Rio salads for lunch.

Hannah went home and put her kids to bed. We put our kids to bed. Marc and Max went out to eat and to a movie, and we stayed home and made popcorn and watched Stick It (a guilty pleasure) on DVR. When the guys got home, we made Italian sodas and had this:

Max made chocolate cheesecake and took great pleasure in plating it and creating a customized presentation for each person.

Last summer when Jessie came to visit, it seemed like we had more days like this one. But then, she didn't have a baby. And Marc was in Paris for his annual trip, so we were definitely more footloose and fancy free. I was so glad we at least had one day of working on projects, my favorite.

Jessie with Max & Lucas just prior to leaving for the airport. We realized that we hadn't really taken any pictures of them together. Seriously, I don't know what happened. She was here for 3 weeks and we didn't have time to take all the pictures we wanted to take, or do all the things we wanted to do.

This little goofball was cracking us up by wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses. She is apparently feeling much better now and is back to her smiling, happy self. (I hope that was the case during the trip home!)

We only took two self-portraits this time. Two. What the? This one was taken at the airport, right before she left. Good grief.

Sigh. And now begins the long wait until we see each other again.

17 comments:

Jill said...

It is so crazy that a 3 week visit can fly by so quickly! I totally understand it though and feel the pain of your conflicting emotions. I think the obvious solution would be for Jessie's family to move back to Utah!

I'm surprised Eva went on the slip-n-slide at all, so her technique is braver than I would have given her credit for.

Wow, to Max's food creations! I'm sure they wouldn't make me feel sick.

Only 2 self-portraits? I'm speechless.

Anne said...

Sad that Jessie's gone. Hopefully you were able to make enough memories to sustain you until the next visit.

Max is a rockstar! Is there anything he can't do?!

jenn said...

Does Max want to make me a cream puff- I promise not to get sick! I think he is such an amazing guy. Of course- he has an amazing mother!!

I'm sorry Jessie had to leave. It sucks. No doubt about it!

Unknown said...

i'm glad you were able to find time to do some of the things that make you so happy. your airport sp is particularly adorable.

Bond Girl 007 said...

Darling girls you are! Distant cousins, but still cute and talented. How can 3 weeks fly sooo fast. Only when there is love around I say! Max is begining to turn into a great artiste! Photography, Cusine, Musician! What a wonderful young man! I must meet him one day!

j said...

she was here 3 weeks?! it seems like less!!! you two are beautiful sisters- i'm always impressed by how cute you are. :)

and max is a budding chef! holy wow!!!

i'm so sad she's gone- it seems like you guys have a great relationship and i'm sure it's hard to be so far apart. hopefully she visits again soon. and i can't believe paris is coming up so soon for you! i'd be a total wreck. i can't imagine prepping to live there. i visited twice while we lived in germany and the city just overwhelmed me!!!

Kim Sue said...

how bitter sweet...it is so great that she has such extended visits but so sad that it will be so long before you can do it again!

April said...

I am glad you have a "Jill saves the day" category, because it is indeed a big part of your life.

I am so happy you got to spend so much (and so little) time with your sister.

P.S. I always feel that way about quilting when I see someone else's work. I always think, "Why don't I do that more, I enjoy it so much?" Life gets in the way.

Good luck on your packing. I can't imagine your to-do list.

Susan said...

Wow, too many comments running through my mind!

Way cute photos of everyone! You and Jess look too cute together, the girls over and over, Max looking way too tall!! Lucas looking way too old and cute! Fiona looking way too entertaining.

That Max-man, turning into a real pastry chef!! I'm sure he can pick up some tricks in Paris. Let's hire that boy out for catering! He could make some real money, and it's looking like you may be turning into a chocolate cheesecake fan?! Great going, Max!

It's always sad and glad when company leaves! Mostly sad, though. That's why I am so glad we have the eternitys. I'm counting on one big family compound!

Tasha said...

Its just WRONG for sisters to live so far apart. I think once its more than a 6 hour drive, it may as well be across the country. My sister is in Vegas and at best I see her 2x a year... Thank you for sharing one of your precious afternoons with me. I hope Jessie posts pics of the quilt.

When do you leave for Paris? Can I come help?

patsy said...

Let me get this right?
MAX made these lovely treats???
WOW!!!!

Rebekah said...

I can't believe she was there for 3 weeks! Time flies.

Fiona's face is so gooey and happy!

I have a secret desire to go down a slip and slide again.

Yeah, I get sick all the time after eating sugar. Ha.

I'm glad you did get some time alone to just be sisters and adults. I can't believe Jessie made an entire lap quilt in 2 days. I need to work on project management and follow through.

I see Cafe Rio has upgraded to a dome lid instead of the foil for takeout. Wise move, Cafe Rio, wise move.

Max, seriously? Talented youth make me feel anxious. Hee hee.

Rebekah said...

I can't believe she was there for 3 weeks! Time flies.

Fiona's face is so gooey and happy!

I have a secret desire to go down a slip and slide again.

Yeah, I get sick all the time after eating sugar. Ha.

I'm glad you did get some time alone to just be sisters and adults. I can't believe Jessie made an entire lap quilt in 2 days. I need to work on project management and follow through.

I see Cafe Rio has upgraded to a dome lid instead of the foil for takeout. Wise move, Cafe Rio, wise move.

Max, seriously? Talented youth make me feel anxious. Hee hee.

Charlotte said...

That looks like so much fun! We definitely enjoyed having her here with us for a few days. Thanks for sharing! Sisters are the best kinds of friends. Judging from my own friendship with my sister, I can truly see and appreciate the bond you and Jess have.

Anonymous said...

This was hard to look through. It makes me sad for a lot of reasons I am sure you understand and then some. Love her and you and thank you for sharing so much :)

emily said...

Love love love the report! I can't wait until Charlotte and I will be real people with families of our own, and we can hang out and watch guilty pleasure movies. (I love that you guys like Stick It, too. It's a classic.)

everything pink! said...

i think i have said this before. how much i love reading about sisters who love to see each other and hope this is how my girls will feel about each other. as one who does not have any relationship with her sister i feel like reading about your relationship is like a guide book to remind me of how rewarding it can be.
thanks

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