NY Trip: Winding Down...

With one exhausted toddler, and one warm and content baby... we headed home from the fair. Both were asleep within minutes of leaving the fairgrounds. Hoping to extend the nap as long as possible, we thought we'd drive around a little bit, maybe get some gas and a car wash so we wouldn't have to remove them from the car. It was a good idea, but failed, as Maia woke up as soon as we entered the car wash, asking "Wass dat?" We'd hoped to get her back to sleep thereafter, but it was a no go. So we relaxed on the back patio for a while. What a gorgeous afternoon.

Uncle Dave and Parker

Parker is winking at you and telling you to check out his feet.

Maia did some more running, playing with bubbles and kicking this ball (another gift from Aunt Tara).

Parker cuddles with Nana.

Maia wearing her new hat. Nana bought it for her at the fair.

Grandpa shares his kettle corn with Maia.

Which she puts on her plate, and veeerrrry carefully carries to the side table.

More bubbles (and getting better at blowing them herself).

And playing with all her new food toys from Aunt Tara. There was a birthday cake set, a pasta set and pizza set.

At the end of the evening, we all said our goodbyes. The next day was up early and back to work for the adults, and the first day of school for Aaron and Rachael. We packed up the car and hit the road around lunch time, after a brief stop at the bank to say goodbye to Nana.

The trip home went very well. We stopped for the night in London, Ontario. The hotel we'd booked had a pool, which, when planning the trip, thought might be a nice way for Maia to get her energy out before bed. Unfortunately, we got a later start than we'd hoped, and didn't arrive with much time before the pool closed, and when I checked in, there was a sign that the pool was closed that day anyway. Fortunately, I hadn't mentioned it to her, so I didn't have to deal with a disappointed girl. Bedtime went fairly well.

The second half of the trip home again went smoothly. Parker continued to sleep most of the time, and Maia took a nap as well. There was one point, however, where one child woke up and started crying. Which in turn woke the other, who also started crying. Then one child would settle down, followed by the other. After a few moments of silence, the process would start again, each of them taking their turns, like dueling banjos. It was one of those moments, as a parent, that starts out as frustration, but leads to laughter.

We made it home safely, and I think both the kids (most notably Maia) were happy to get back into familiar surroundings (even though she does amazingly well when she's out of her element and off her schedule) and back on schedule.

Thanks again, Tara, Dave, Aaron, Rachael, Raymond and Effie for a wonderful trip and your incredible generosity. We had a great time, and Maia is reliving it in her mind, and recounting the stories in her own way, weeks later.