Dad and Moom

Sunday, my parents came over to pick Cole up for several days. He was really looking forward to spending time at their house. I am glad that he has the opportunity to go, but I sure do miss him. Even with Audrey, the house seems so quiet and different without him here. I have no doubt that he is thoroughly enjoying himself. When I talked to him earlier, two of his cousins were also visiting Mema and Boppa, so I know he is having a great time.

Boppa reading to the kiddos

Sissy kicking back as Boppa reads

Mema and Audrey

Audrey loving on Cole before he left

Since Cole has been gone, you’d think I’d try to make the most of the time by getting a lot done, but no such luck. Instead, I’ve tried to give Audrey some one-on-one attention and say yes a little more to her crazy whims.

Like letting her sit in the light box with her dominos.

Then, making LOTS of silly faces for the camera!

Like letting her hand me markers with her toes. She’s such a monkey!

Giving her a choice of bedtime in her bed or on the couch watching movies we rented just for her.

Saying yes when she asked to walk in the mud. She was genuinely shocked when I said she could, too.  She wasn’t so sure of it at first. She stepped out and didn’t like the mud between her toes. She adjusted quickly after I told her I’d just put her in the sink to wash up. Trust me, I have about 20 pictures and videos to prove it.

Sharing the “big bowl” of popcorn after cleaning up.

Tonight, she ran into the living room to grab paper from the printer. I knew what she was up to because she also had a handful of her carefully chosen Crayolas. She ran back into her bedroom and came out with a picture of Daddy. She “even drew his beard”. (It’s the blue part at the bottom.) I told her to take it back to her room and write D-A-D on it. So she did. She was so proud of herself that we had to take a picture and have Daddy come take a peek.

Of course, John was genuinely impressed with her artistic ability and the fact that she wrote DAD on the top. He quickly put it on the fridge. Then, I asked her to draw a picture of me and write M-O-M on it. She kept trying to say it back to me but kept starting with the O and saying MM. She ended up writing MOOM. :) She was so happy that she had drawn my lipstick on the picture. Again with the blue. :)

She is asleep now and I’m happy that we have had the last few days together. We’ve played lots of games and put together the same 7 puzzles about a million times. She went swimming last night until it started lightning. We even watched lots of old videos of life around here the last few years. When she wanted McDonald’s chicken McNuggets, we headed out for a late lunch today.

Even though we are having fun, we miss Cole tremendously. She and I both want him to come back now. He’s not ready. She thinks we should go get him anyway. I’m hoping that he comes home soon. Life is not the same when my whole family isn’t together.

Being a mom makes my heart truly happy.