Visit from Cynde

The last Saturday in May we had a very special visitor- Grandma Cynde came up from Auburn to spend the day with us!

We started off the day with Mitch's baseball game at 9:00.  It was gearing up to be a HOT day as it was already 80 degrees before 10:00 a.m.

We sat out in the outfield with our big group and watched Mitch from there.  Ben stood watch on the right field fence.  He makes a good looking baseball spectator.  And he's the best baseball dad!  

Me and my five girls- Mitch's biggest fans!

Olivia and Chloe sharing sunflower seeds- we don't go to a baseball game without them!  (And Livy's awesome hair do was courtesy of Chloe).

This was Mitch's final game of the season and afterwards the team gathered around for the coach to hand out trophies (don't get me started on how much I dislike trophies given out for NO REASON) and for the coach to say a little something about each of the boys.  Livy was so excited about this and sat by Mitch the whole time.

The coach had great things to say about Mitch and his willingness to step up and pitch, even when he was nervous about it.  Mitch is a solid player and a good little athlete.

We ran home afterwards to wait for the main event of the day- Grandma Cynde's arrival!  Her knock on the door sent everyone into excited hysterics.

Jocie has been waiting her whole life to meet Cynde and it did not disappoint.  Anyone who knows Cynde loves her.

Cynde, in typical fashion, showed up with gifts for everyone.  She brought the cutest little summer outfit for Jocie with a matching headband.  For the big kids she brought the card game "Spot It- Camping edition."  Our family fell in love with the game Spot It a few years ago and have enjoyed collecting different versions of the game.  Cynde always seems to keep up on what the kids like and are currently in to.

She also brought the best doughnuts in Auburn- Legendary Doughnuts!  The kids were beyond excited!

Olivia was down for a nap when Cynde first arrived.  When she woke up, she was a bit hesitant around her.  After playing at our house for a bit, we headed off to Cynde's hotel for her to check in and for us to swim.

As Cynde was checking in, the rest of us lounged on the couches in the lobby.  Olivia suddenly ran off and we found her with Cynde at the front desk.  She immediately took to calling her "Nahnah" (her word for Grandma) and was glued to Cynde for the rest of the day.  Olivia knows a good grandma when she sees one.

Swimming in the hotel pool was so much fun.  Olivia liked swimming with Ben and Chloe, but constantly wanted in, then out, then in, then out.  She was quite the handful to keep track of.

When she wasn't in the pool she wanted to be running around outside of it.  Cynde was so sweet to follow her around and try and keep her entertained. 

Jocie slept peacefully in her seat the whole time. 

After a terrifying experience last summer in a pool, Mitch has been deathly afraid of the deep end.  Ben held a mini swim lesson with Mitch in the deep end.  Mitch was absolutely hysterical at first and took lots and lots of convincing to get him to calm down.  Ben was finally able to work with him for a bit in hopes that by the time we do swimming lessons this summer that he will be able to do them, calmly.

Swimming was a success!

Our next stop was Leslie Groves Park in Richland.  They have a great grassy area, BBQ area, playground and a great little swimming area.  The kids enjoyed Cynde's rice cakes while we waited for dinner.  Ben ran and got pizza and breadsticks later that we ate on the grass.

The kids were ready for round two of swimming in the river.  They have a roped off area that is shallow enough to stay safe and deep enough to swim in.

We enjoyed many hours here playing and having fun.  We stayed until bedtime.  We said goodbye to Cynde before we left to go home.  She was one of the reasons we were most sad to leave Auburn, but we are so glad we can keep in touch with her and hopefully see her often.  We love you Cynde!  Thanks for coming to visit us.

Jocie went home and slept her first 10 hour night after this!  Since that night, she has consistently slept at least 6-7 hour stretches and quickly transitioned to 8-10 hours straight.  We love this girl!