Babysoroos

At the end of September, Granny and Granda came to visit from Northern Ireland. We had a fantastic time with them, Ben loved having constant playmates and I enjoyed showing them around the island and appreciated their help and their company. The weather, which had been feeling like fall since August sometime, improved drastically the day they arrived, so we were able to enjoy lots of outdoor stuff.

We went to the beach the first day they were here and Ben actually decided he wanted to go into the water — that was more interest than he’d shown all summer! And it was warm enough to let him, too. So, stripped down to his undies (we weren’t prepared for swimming), he got all wet and covered in sand and had a great time trying to get the rest of us wet too. Unfortunately, because we weren’t prepared, there are no photos. Oh well.

We introduced them to our coffee shop, went shopping a couple of times on the mainland (once to an outlet mall I’d never been to where we bought the new baby some winter things!), went to the park (where it was too hot!) and for walks in the woods. They came along to both of Ben’s schools and to a midwife appointment where they heard the baby’s heartbeat and got to see the birth center. We made apple tarts with apples from our garden. We finished building Ben’s toddler bed — Granny played with Ben (getting in and out of the red car then the blue car then the red car…) while Granda and I worked on the bed. We finished it on their last day here and Ben has been sleeping in it ever since.

The last weekend, we drove up the island to Deception Pass, the bridge that’s the only way to drive on and off Whidbey Island. It connects to Fidalgo Island (which is actually a peninsula), where there’s a small mountain with fantastic views. Luckily, you can drive the whole way up, so we did. 🙂 On the way home, we stopped at a pumpkin farm and although we were too late for the tractor ride out to the fields, we still ended up with some great pumpkins.

Ben talked a lot, learned lots of new words, gave great hugs and kisses, and has been telling anyone and everyone who would listen for the last week that “Granny Granda on PLANE.” I think he misses them.