This weekend Amaya and I a girls weekend in New York! I love these one on one trips I get to take with the kids.

The kids are old enough now that we start talking about the trips in advance. Everyone knew that Amaya and Mommy were going to New York. We headed out early for an 8:30am flight. Amaya was a trooper with the early morning and, like Steven a few weeks ago, was excited to see the airplanes.

Whenever she was uncomfortable or anxious, Amaya wanted to sit back in her car seat. She definitely felt a sense of security there, and I’m sure it helped that she had Jenna to care for. Jenna was a big focus of our morning.

Amaya’s smile. It makes me laugh every time.

Amaya did great on the flight. The benadryl doesn’t knock her out but it definitely solved the issues with motion sickness. Between Jenna, snacks and drawing on my iPad, she was mostly content from take-off to landing. Interestingly, she didn’t want the airplane window open. Steven loved to look outside but the minute we took off Amaya insisted that I put the window down. She also seemed a little nervous when we accelerated during take-off. “All done! All done!” I’m very nervous during take-off and have to try really, really hard not to show it. I’d love it if SSA can actually enjoy flying.

Waiting to exit the plane…

Back at home, Steven and Sammy were holding down the fort with Megan.

The first thing Amaya did when we got to Nana and Papa’s house was head for the kitchen and get “cookin”. It wasn’t long, though, before Aunt Sara, Uncle Dave, Chase and Charlie came over and the fun really got started. Now that Amaya is talking, she can play with Chase and Charlie on a totally different level. They’re so good with her, too. Careful, kind and engaged. It’s so cool to see.

Wearing Charlie’s sock.

Dinner for Amaya was corned beef, chicken nuggets and green beans. Amaya’s in a phase where she wants “dippy” with everything. The dippy that went with this meal turned out to be golden brown mustard and sriracha mustard! Amaya was licking the sriracha mustard straight off her fingers. She may be developing her mommy’s taste for spicy foods!

Amaya and Chase

Zerberts for Charlie!

Nana and Aunt Sara on the phone with Amaya. Hand gestures are a must.

Checking out the photos on the fridge & wearing Nana’s slippers.

While we were having our fun, the boys were having their own fun with Grandma Sunshine who came to spend the weekend!

After a long day, it was time for bedtime stories and night night.

Saturday was more cuddles and fun for everyone – in NY and back in MI!

Coloring time!

Saturday afternoon we all went to visit Savta who’s been recovering from an infection. It was the highlight of the trip, for sure! We were especially lucky that Auntie, cousin Mike, Jake and Naomi were visiting at the same time.

The Amaya smile.

Steven, Sammy, Daddy and Grandma Sunshine having fun on the home front.

Out for a pizza dinner. Keeping up with the spicy theme, Amaya insisted I put hot pepper on her pizza. I was afraid it would be too hot but she kept asking for more. A girl after my own heart!

At bedtime, Chase and Charlie were a huge help again. Chase even did an expert job brushing Amaya’s teeth.

Pile On!!

On Sunday our flight wasn’t until 2:30pm so there was ample time to play and go out for brunch before heading to the airport.

.

Miss Amaya has mastered the stink eye. This is what you get when you ask her not to color on her shirt.

With an option of bacon, eggs and fries, Amaya’s entire breakfast consisted of bacon dipped in ketchup. At least she knows what she likes.

As it neared time to leave, two special boys were ready for us to come home.

Papa took us to the airport and off we went!

Smiling for a picture to send to Daddy!

A kiss for Jenna on the airplane.

After a great weekend in NY, we are HOME!

Back to earlier in the week, music was on break so Megan and I decided to check out Toddler Time at a local community center. For $3 a child it was advertised as a play place for kids between 1 and 5 years old. We were the first ones to arrive on Tuesday and found an open gym with a handful of ride-on toys.

Steven was a bit too small to ride this tricycle on his own but he loved it and we pushed him all around the gym.

The hit, though, were the basketballs. An open gym, three two year olds and basketballs!

Sammy couldn’t get enough. He was a happy, HAPPY boy!

Fun times with headbands and clips.

Daddy’s nightly sight when he gets home from work.

Play time with Megan.

Steven, this week.

Looking under the bathroom door while Daddy gets toothbrushes prepped.

Comfy for TV time.

Sammy, this week.

Sammy’s answer to why he was crying: Cause I wants to cry.

It’s hard to believe that this kid was once scared to go down the slide on his own.

Amaya, this week.

Amaya’s first braid, compliments of Megan.

Comfy tv time.

Aside from my trip with Amaya, the highlight of the week is that I finally have printed copies of the first year of the blog! I don’t want to have to worry about what happens if I lose the digital version so, for months, I’ve been working with a graphic designer to convert it into a print version. It’s finally printed!! Many thanks to Nana for reading it through for my many typos. I hope this is something Steven, Sammy and Amaya treasure when they’re older. Now on to year two!