More Grampa Fun

Yesterday was my dad's last full day here with us.  It was such a blessing he was able to spend this time with us.  The boys adore him (well, Penn is still warming up to anyone other than myself, Doug and children).  I miss him so much when he's not around that a few days of just being around each other feels like home.  Not to mention he comes in very handy for a few fix-it projects here and there. =)  Tavin randomly remembered that Koen's toy crane broke about a month ago and that I had said, "you'll have to show it to Grampa" since I couldn't fix it msyelf.  It was as if Tav had an epiphany.  He was so excited and scampered right upstairs and back down with it spouting about 10 words a second.  It was adorable.  Grampa saved the day and did fix it (after literally completely dismantling it and working with it for about 2 hours! - labor of love!).

While Grampa repaired the crane, Penn took a nap and Tavin and I enjoyed some rare one-on-one time.  We walked to the library and Whole Foods, crammed the stroller full of groceries and books and enjoyed the fresh air and time together.  When we got back we hung out at the house and had lunch. After lunch we were all itching to get out of the AC and into the fresh (HOT) air again, so we took a walk to witness the demolition of a building nearby.  Dad helped me figure out the wagon roof for the first time.  It worked so well to keep the boys shaded (and not needing sunscreen for our quick outing).  Grampa and his youngest grandsons all ready to go see some diggers...

Tav was so excited to see the digger working with its claw.  He was imitating its motions with his arms and hands (and of course making noises with his mouth).  It was a pretty impressive work site with the digger just grabbing scrap metal and shoving it into a dumpster repeatedly.  A 3 year old boy's dream.

Tav climbed up the embankment to sit in the shade with Grampa.  Note his hand on Dad's leg.  Tavin was so lovely with Grampa this time.  He's a total fan.  Love it!

After the hot walk I got the little guys cleaned up and to nap at their regular times.  Tuesdays is a long day for Koen at school, so he doesn't get home until 3:30pm.  Dad and I enjoyed a little quiet before he returned, but unfortunately right around that same time we got some annoying excitement.  Doug had to stop off at home to pick a few things up for an evening engagement.  When he went back to jump in the car it wouldn't start.  It was great having Dad (who is an engineer professionally and at his very core) here to troubleshoot a few options, but the inevitable truth was that it was a computer issue and we would have to get a tow to a mechanic.  Doug had to leave for his meeting (and one of our awesome neighbors lent us their car!), so Dad hung out in the heat waiting for the tow truck and then made sure the van got up on the flatbad with no issue.  It was so great to have an extra adult around.  I got to take the boys to a friend's backyard and let them play in the baby pool while Dad and Doug dealt with all the drama.  What a gift!  Thanks, Daddy!  Due to all of this, we were late through the whole bedtime routine and while I laid Penn down, Grampa read the big boys a story.  I just love seeing my boys snuggled up next to my Daddy!

Grampa left this morning a little after 8am.  All 3 boys got to see him off.  It's always so hard to say goodbye, but we are all already looking forward to our trip to NH in August (oh how I wish it wasn't 2 months away!).  Our day was low key after Dad left, Koen left for school and Tav and Penn did our normal stay-at-home thing.  We did head out before lunch for a walk to see diggers.  The demolition site was on their lunch break, but thankfully we did find some action on another street with some gas lines being replaced (thanks, Pittsburgh, always something!).  We stopped to take a picture to send to Grampa to let him know we were thinking of him and wishing he was with us again.

Daddy, thanks for stopping here for a few days on your trip home from Ohio.  We have come to count on this May visit and it's always such a wonderful time with you and the boys.  We love you and miss you already!