Meanwhile Back at the Ranch

 Many months ago, Liz offered to watch our kids while we went 'house hunting' over Eric's spring break.  Soon, Rick also said he wanted to help her watch them.  Soon, I changed why they would be watching our kids.  Soon, they said they were retiring, so we could do whatever we wanted because they had nothing but time on their hands.  Man, I want to be them when I grow up...

 Grandma and Grandpa arrived at our house on Thursday afternoon during the KU/Oklahoma State payback Big 12 Tournament game. I gave them a quick rundown of what to expect, and then Grandpa accompanied the boys to their soccer practice.  Might as well get them on the schedule right away!

The next morning, we did a bit of schoolwork and then Grandma and Grandpa took Dom downtown to do packet pick-up for the half-marathon...oh, yeah, they signed up to do a half-marathon the morning before Eric and I flew to London.  Why not? 

They had a good time just checking out downtown, noting places to visit in the next week.  And as a result, my kids had more experiences in downtown Montgomery in the few days they spent with Grandparents than they have had in the entirety of our time here in Alabama.  Boom!

On a side note, it is a remarkable realization to have a child you have been around since birth go from being someone you need to take along everywhere you go for their safety, but it is a lot of work, to being a person you take along for company and their presence makes the trip more enjoyable.  I've experienced this quite a bit with Will and Dom (and Molly on occasion...but, she can be a little more difficult..because 'No' does not have quite the same effect on her).  And lately, Dom has been this way with his grandparents.  Nana takes him to the Rally House, Grandpa takes him to run errands.  And now he accompanied his grandparents to do a packet pick-up.  Pretty cool...but, I've probably gone on too long.  I just think it is really neat.

 Anyhow, the next morning, Rick and Liz went for their run...not waking up a soul because they are like Elves.  Not Santa Elves.  Tolkien Elves.  Because they run, too.  And the rest of us watched a bit of soccer and packed.  Because who packs before the morning of an international trip?

 We headed to the airport 2 hours before our scheduled flight like all responsible travelers should do.  And while we drank overpriced beer and ate overpriced nachos due to having A.L.O.T. of time to kill at our tiny regional airport, Grandma immediately started grandma-ing...by baking a cake with Molly.  Because Molly asked her to...(pro-tip...Molly is always asking to bake a cake...I do not give in, she is pretty use to disappointment)

 Along with soccer practice, Grandma and Grandpa were in charge of taking the boys to Boy Scouts (including Dom's crossing over ceremony Saturday night).  They also had to take the kids to piano, art class, and PE.  I wrote a schedule with drive-times...because I am super duper helpful like that.  Others might have cancelled...not me.  I'm super helpful.

 Molly and Grandma exercised together.

 They took several field trips throughout the week including the Capitol Building:

 Dairy Queen:

 The Zoo:

 The Pie Bar for a Pi Run and Pizza on Pi Day (I know..I missed Pi Day.  But, mark your calendars for July 22.  Otherwise known as Back-up Pi Day (22/7 ~ 3.14))

 Grandma also made Molly a quilt...are you kidding me?  And John got one too, because fair is fair. 

 They also played Go Fish

 Shot off Rockets

 And used this thing that you need to call Will so he can pronounce it for you. (I just asked him...it is an atlatl...sounds a lot like adaladdle...yup...actually that is a lot of fun to say.  Probably why he doesn't mind repeating it over and over and over again)

 Launching the rocket was a team effort.  Check out John's shirt...he totally missed us despite all of the fun they were having.

 Which included playing Suspend.

 Grandma and Grandpa also got the special experience of being in our home during opening weekend of the NCAA tournament.  That's right: Brackets!  The boys did a superb job of free handing logos.  I loved getting the updates from Grandpa about Will's perfectionism...along with that perfectionism comes a lot of passion to his art and ownership.  NO ONE colors Will's logos except him.  Grandpa learned that the hard way.   They also got to see some of Molly's handiwork:

I believe they got all of the pictures up during the first games.  However, they were well finished by the time the boys watched the first number 1 seed ever lose in the first game!  By then Grandpa had taught them this little routine:
Grandpa: Hey...where is the University of Virgina?
Everyone as loudly as possible: On the Bus!!! (as in...on the bus home...because they are LOSERS)

This little routine has various variations about what all supplies they will need on the bus and getting the engine started.  And even now I can probably say to John: Where's Duke? and get a response of 'On the Bus'....yup, totally worked.  He is going to really struggle in Geography.

 Apparently, they got a second DQ trip...lucky kids.

 And more cupcakes were made.

 As well as a lovely cake for the parents (that we enjoyed with afternoon tea for a few days!)

 Eric and I arrived home late Saturday night, and incredibly Rick and Liz did not meet us at the door with their bags packed ready to leave.  In fact, they seemed in great spirits, if a bit exhausted.  But, I appreciated all of the stories about what had gone on in our absence. It is not easy taking care of 4 kids at once (and I was pretty nervous about how it would all go).  And they did way more than we do on a weekly basis.  I'd have been exhausted, too!

A happy reunion occurred the next morning, with the longest hug from John and he didn't venture too far from my side for the rest of the day.  So, I guess they missed us.  But, I know they loved the week they got to spend with Grandma and Grandpa.  Maybe we can do it again in the next 5 years.  Maybe?  Ok, we'll get back to you about that!

Thank you to Rick and Liz for such a wonderful gift for our family!  You are the best!