Happy Monday everyone, and Happy Inauguration Day America!
Don't at me. I know not everyone is excited about today, but I absolutely welcome the change. Not everybody does but hey, that's America in every election cycle. May God bless her as we usher in a new administration. Nobody should be hoping our new president fails at his job.
Moving on...the weekend. Linking with Holly (Pink Lady Blog) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books) for their regularly scheduled Hello Monday weekend recaps.
There are grandkids in the house, toys on the floor, marinara sauce on my dining room chair, and a morning coffee hour that now includes legos with a side of lots of questions asked and answered.
We love it.
I don't have many pictures from the weekend. While there's something we call multitasking, there's this whole other something which is multitasking with jet-lagged toddlers who need stories read, snacks procured, games played, and laps to sit in. Doesn't leave a lot of room or hands free for picture taking.
Backing up to Thursday which I long ago declared the official start to the weekend. Hubs flew to London last Sunday/Monday so he could fly back to the states on Thursday with Daughter1, her three children, each toting his or her own backpack and snack box, a wagon, five oversized-overweight-overly heavy suitcases, two car seats in travel bags, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Since my son-in-law will be in the UK for a couple more weeks, wrapping up his job there before he can join his family here, and since we parents never stop wanting to help where we can, off hubs went to do just that. The kids (the grown ones I mean) were grateful, and hubs could sleep without the thought of his girl trying to manage all of that on her own keeping him awake at night.
These grands are seasoned travelers and trans Atlantic flights ain't no big thing to them. It's all the 'stuff' associated with flying that frays the nerves. They landed in Atlanta late afternoon then had to get through immigration and customs, and the nightmare that is Atlanta traffic anytime at 6 o'clock in the evening, then another two hour drive here, but they did it!! They arrived home about 9 PM.
Of course by 9 pm little miss had finally hit the wall, so my daughter plunked her into bed in the clothes she'd been wearing all day and night and then I looked at my daughter and kind of wanted to plunk her into the bed right beside her.
She's an absolute star y'all.
Friday started early because jet lag is for real. Everyone was surprisingly cheerful, and we pulled out the toys and they got to work playing. I bought a doll stroller for little miss and she spent most of the day pushing it around the house, putting all her stuffies and special things in it, taking them out, chatting happily. The boys put together legos and Nana (that's me) made french toast because it was a french toast kind of morning. I also played Battleship and Rush Hour and listened to little boys explain which transformer is which and just soaked up that familiar feel of family in the house that is so precious.
Daughter1 worked on unpacking their belongings and making sense of how to temporarily settle in to our house while they find one of their own. They can move over to the in-laws lake house (the in-laws don't live in it full time) if the home buying process takes too long and that's the plan sometime after my son-in-law arrives.
She's also in a wedding (we don't do things by halves here) mid-February, out of town of course, so she had to get herself to the alterations lady Friday afternoon to have her bridesmaid dress basically remade before she needs to be in it. Whew. It's all kind of a lot on day one.
As an aside, why are bridesmaid dresses sized so ridiculously ridiculous? Why aren't they sized like all the other dresses women wear?
I'd invited the other grandparents aka the in-laws, to come for dinner along with my son-in-law's sister and brother-in-law, so it was a fun welcome home celebration. I made lasagne and a pan of baked ziti the day before, and it was so good. Yes I am saying so myself lol. It was though!
I also baked a cake for dessert. Southern Living put out a calendar of cakes, one to bake each month of the year, and I thought I'd try it in 2025. I need to do these when I have company in the house so they'll get eaten so this was the perfect time to whip up the January recipe-
I'd never had a buttermilk cake but the ingredients give it a taste similar to pound cake, although not nearly as dense. The icing was scrumptious! Very much like a caramel frosting. I would definitely make this one again, and thought it tasted even better the second day.
Saturday dawned early again, for the boys anyway. Apparently little miss had been up on UK time five hours earlier, then went back to sleep about the time the boys were getting up, and this is just how it is with kids and jet lag.
Once everyone was really up, fed, and dressed we got out of the house for a bit. We went to a small museum one tiny town over called Museum of the Cherokee, and everyone enjoyed it. Hubs is always up for an arrowhead hunt.
Afterwards we walked to the cheesesteak place for lunch, then wandered into a couple of shops before heading back home.
Everyone was tired. Ti-red. I laid on the couch for a few minutes trying to finish the book I was reading, but then a tea party was happening right in the middle of my keeping room, and who doesn't want to drink tea poured (mostly) carefully by the cutest little server ever???
We had left overs for dinner and everyone went to bed early.
Sunday little miss was up early, but the boys slept in and eventually we'll all be on the same page. The sun was shining so we took a walk in the neighborhood and soaked up some much needed Vitamin D.
And at this point my daughter was fading. Here's something I know about motherhood...no matter how old your children are, you never get over the instinct mothers have to help, soothe, and fill in the gaps where they need filling.
You will one day look at your grown adult daughter and think, how can I help? How can I make this moment, this transition, this whatever easier?
You send her for a warm shower and her pjs while you read her children bedtime stories, and oversee teeth brushing and bedtime prayers.
You remember the exhaustion that lived beside the sweetness of mothering young children, and the memory of sitting on her bed listening to her bedtime prayers leads you to say one of your own..
Now I lay me down to sleep, thank you for this life so sweet.
I bet you are just thrilled to have them all "home." It sounds like a good weekend with a lot going on.
ReplyDeleteAwww this was sooo joyful to read- enjoy your time together! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, to the inauguration and unfortunately, to not everyone sharing the excitement and hope that many do. I was reading a Daily Mail article about the inauguration and someone from Australia was the first one to comment. It was the kindest message of hope and goodwill to the American people. While it received thousands up upvotes, it also had quite a few down arrows. You can't please all of the people all of the time...
ReplyDeleteYour weekend sounds lovely with the sounds of ones you love filling the space with laughter and lots of play. Your daughters are fortunate to have such loving and kind parents. Mine were not around when my kids were little; parenting can, of course, be done with little support but I know it would have been spades nicer with parents around to help. I hope everything goes well as your daughter and kids acclimate to life back here and that the house hunting goes well. Does your husband do real estate part time?
I agree with your opening statements about the day. Kelly Ripa often says
ReplyDelete"don't at me" too about many things! How fun and busy to have your daughter and grandkids in the home with you. Your daughter definitely had a lot on her that first day with jetlag and a bridesmaid fitting and finding something in the suitcase. I hope the little are slowly gettiing adjusted to the time change. These will be busy days, but I know you are enjoying the time before they find a place of their own. The welcome home party and dinner sounds so nice. The cake does look so good! I don't think I have ever had a buttermilk cake either. Enjoy your day!
My family used to make that chicken! I think my kids would like it because they like Asian inspired flavors which I would call that? We overmade that and a chicken with parmesan cheese (powdered) baked on it.
ReplyDeleteThe beginning of your post made me miss my Dad because he absolutely would have flown to wherever I needed help. Such a special bond between Dads and daughters and I was first born, too.
You all are really the best. You will be worn out in the best way but you are making memories for a lifetime of the time they had to live with you for a bit!
That cake looks amazing!
What a wonderful, fulfilling weekend! I'm so glad that your hubs had the thought to fly to London to help her; I can't imagine how much easier that made it for her to not have to do it alone. I hope that everyone gets back on a normal schedule today or soon, at least. I would guess it'll be easier on the littles than the mom and Grandpa. Bless them! I loved seeing the pictures of your weekend, and what a sweet little tea party. Enjoy every second of them being with you, my friend. I know you will.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing for all that your hubby was able to travel to London to bring everyone "home"! Your mama heart must be so full and I'm sure your home is the perfect place for them to land and regroup! Rest up when you can and savor it all!
ReplyDeleteGood morning! I've been reading your blog for a while but have never commented. I'm a mother of two and live in the Dallas area. I love your writing and focus on family.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stacy
DeleteWhat a sweet time to be able to help Daughter 1 and play with the grandkids too. I love that your hubby went over to the UK to help her out. This brings back a memory of when I flew with the kids to England to meet Michael who was already there. After going through immigration and collecting our 9 suitcases, I saw Michael waiting for us and burst into tears. Moving can be an emotional business! The cake looks delicious. I bought the ingredients and plan to bake it during our snow days. Enjoy your time with family!
ReplyDeleteAs a speech language pathologist with thirty eight years of clinical experience, I have to comment that it was sad to see Pres Biden’s cognitive decline and it is disappointing to see Trump’s inferior expressive language skills and limited vocabulary. Praying for our country.
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce, oh you get me all the time... tears of love!!! We have the same mamma heart, and I just love how you put it all down. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSending a big hug to all. I cannot wait to read more.
Carla
Time spent with our grandchildren is so special and helps us form a bond with them,
ReplyDeleteHooray for family back on this side of the pond!! I know you are loving having them all under your roof for a while - marinara stains and all:) That cake looks so yummy. What a fun idea. A new cake each month. I hope you will keep sharing them! Soak in all the extra family fun!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Joyce, you are a wonderful mother/grandmother/wife -- all of that. I enjoyed this post so much. And yes, I have made that chicken recipe in the past and long forgot about it after my nest emptied. It was sooo good!
ReplyDeleteYou must also be feeling tired - having 3 littles around the house 24/7 is tiring! But I know that the joy they bring makes it all worthwhile. Enjoy the cuddles and chaos.
ReplyDeleteAmen, indeed!! I loved reading this post and am so glad your D1 and the littles are back where YOU are and they are staying this time!! Hooray! Keep us posted on the house hunting, please! Hugs and blessings!!
ReplyDeleteI loved this so much and so totally relate to what we'll do for our children to help out. Goodness, we've done our fair share for sure and will continue to as long as we can. So, so glad they are moving near, fun times ahead.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a full, busy, and so much fun weekend! How wonderful to have the grands and your daughter at your house! We lived with my parents and in-laws for a year. It was tough schedule-wise and we were always on the move, but the relationship my kids developed with their grandparents was totally worth it. I also really enjoyed developing that grownup relationship with my parents! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteWell just like that they are home again and all the nonstop action begins to find that stateside home for them to settle in. How fortunate that they have grandparents willing to step in and make all the steps a little easier and give so much support when and where needed. Jet lag is so real. The two of you are a real blessing and the art of hospitality shines bright in your lakeside home!
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing President Donald Trump all the best. I pray he remains safe and we get out country back. How nice of your hubby to fly to London to help them come home. I love the boys in the cockpit. That is sweet about little miss and then you wanting to do the same with your daughter. What a lovely Friday morning. How wonderful that you will have them there for awhile. How nice of you to have that dinner with everyone. You are pretty amazing. How nice that you went to the museum and I love the tea party. Enjoy each moment!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a busy few days. Must be nice to have the house full andthe grands so near.
ReplyDeleteOh what fun! I know you are so excited to have her back in the U.S.A.!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully fun time at your house! I'm glad you are having this time together.
ReplyDeleteAll of your food sounds delicious! Love the grandparenting time and how helpful y’all are being. My parents were like this and I hope to one day be the same for my son and family.
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