Staycations rock!

We got home earlier today from a 5 day staycation. Rick & I were house sitting for some friends who were visiting their son/DIL in Annapolis. After packing nearly everything you can imagine, I drove the kids up to the house on Friday. Not that I had to go far - 30 minutes north to the Catalina Mountain Foothills. I got us all settled in and set up a few things that I would need during the night. The kids acclimated quickly to their new "home". Sydney's been going there since she was a baby, so she was right at home. Ryan had to learn his way around the kitchen/living room, but like everything else he does, that didn't take long.
Saturday morning came bright and early... waffles for "beckfast" for the girl, while the boy made himself a little before breakfast snack.

This was the first of MANY attacks of the potted plants. This poor plant was moved into the laundry room. He found a few others the following day. He had lots of opportunities to stand at things, pull himself up & over things, pull things down, chew on things... boy stuff. His two top teeth are coming threw already. They started to break the gum line yesterday. Gums are swollen and very red but you can see them poking out a little. Sydney loved being at this house. There are lots of "things" for her to play with. Lots of crafty stuff: loads of crayons, markers, highlighters, paper, gadgets & gizmo's, stuffed animals & a giant can of LEGOs. We watched Evan Almighty Saturday morning, so she thought it would be cool to build "Noah's Art".

We got to do lots of swimming while there. Sydney has been getting more comfortable being in the water now that we've gotten her a life jacket. Only a few weeks ago, she was not going out into the pool - would only stay on the steps or attached to a person, even in her jacket. She now goes out on her own. Paddling her little feet and arms she can maneuver all over the pool. We are so very proud of her accomplishment! Ryan was trying to pull himself out of his little boat thing. Water going up his little nose didn't even seem to bother him.

As always, monsoon season is in full swing here. We got our late afternoon rain everyday. Some days we got an early afternoon, late afternoon & nighttime rain. Lots & lots of rain, but it never changed the temp. of the pool. Stayed between 86-88 degrees. Made for great looking skies and beautiful post-rain scenery. I've always been fond of the desert after a long cleansing rain.

Back home and back to life as we know it! We had such a relaxing, quiet few days away. The phone never rang, didn't have to get out of PJ's, didn't have to worry about doing housework, only left the house once - had to make a mall/Target/Toys R Us run. Soooooooo nice... We were glad to be gone, but glad to be home! Our thanks to the Delgado's for letting us hang out poolside for all those great days! Look forward to doing it again.