Our day with both munchkins!!

Well, where to start? Jeff and I started out this day with the utmost of excitement. Our plans were to go to a picnic at Carmichael Park with some dear friends of mine from work, Michelle and Victoria. However, I was misinformed about the actual the actual location of this event. We went to Carmichael Park and the event was actually at Fair Oaks Park.

We picked up Grace at her Mom's work at 9:30 a.m. She was very excited to be spending the day with us. She always brings us such joy. Any moments with her are so precious to us. We then met Larry and Joe in Rancho Cordova (Larry was kind enough to meet us with Joe at the half way mark between our homes). We loaded Joe and his car seat in the car, said our goodbye's to Larry and we were off. Joe was all smiles when he realized that his cousin Grace was in the car too. He is so adorable and really loves his cousin Gracie. So off to Carmichael Park we went. We looked for the picnic and our friends and couldn't find them anywhere, but the kids got to play in the park anyway. They had fun for about an hour and then we were off to McDonald's for the requested lunch of a cheeseburger. There was the playroom, as is necessary and the kids had a fabulous time. In the mean time I got a hold of my friend Victoria and found out the actual location of the picnic.

We loaded up the munchkins again and were off to Fair Oaks park. Upon our arrival, Grace noticed that this park had swings. Oh great joy of life!! (The other park was lacking that particular apparatus.) So both kids were placed on the swings and pushed by Jeff and I. All I can say to this is, "Let the giggling commence!" The two of them were having an absolute blast. We went up to greet our friends and Gracie waited in line for quite awhile to get her face painted. The lady painting faces was on a break to eat her lunch. Gracie wanted a moon painted on her face. I eventually painted her face myself and then there was a long line of children wanting me to paint their faces as well. I had to decline. We then went over to the pinata festivities and took part in that. There were a lot of children and adults at this event and it was very child oriented. It was a nice event to attend. They had children's music playing and when Old Mc Donald had a farm came on, Joe was in his happy dancing element. He was singing, rather on-key mind you and having such a good time.

It all sounds like a storybook, doesn't it? I think that I may have forgotten to let you know that during all this loading and unloading of the kids into the car and out of the car, all this frolicking in the two different parks, and the ultra healthy lunch at Mickey D's, the temperature was sitting just short of 100 degrees. This along with all of the activity really took it's toll an the kiddies. They both seemed a little overheated by about 1:30. We said our goodbye's to our friends and loaded them up one more time. I thought that they would fall asleep in the car almost immediately. No such luck! Once the air conditioning hit them, they were all laughter and giggles in the back seat. They were holding hands, playing tickle (or better known to Joey as giggle, giggle, giggle) and just really enjoying themselves and one another. I for one, couldn't believe the transformation a little air conditioning could do. We drove them out to Joey's house where they could have a swim in the pool.

Grace and I got in the pool, Joe attempted to go down for a nap and Larry and Jeff were working on the garage and organizing it. The pool felt lovely and Grace was having a great time when all of a sudden she wanted out and proceeded to vomit. This poor little angel vomited continually for the next couple of hours. It broke my heart to see her in such discomfort. We put her in the car and drove her home, her vomiting all the way there. It is harder to be Grandma than Mom in this situation. You just feel so helpless. If I could have taken this from her and beared it myself, I would have in a hot New York second. We stayed with her at her house for about an hour and then finally ventured home. I called to check on her after we got home and she was finally able to keep fluids down and was feeling a little better. That was a huge relief to me and her Grandpa. He really doesn't handle these types of situations very well.

All in all, we covered all colors of the spectrum on our day with the world's two most adorable munchkins. Given the experiences we shared on this day, I know I would do it again today, tomorrow or any time again. I believe it is what I live for now. These two sweet, loving children that are my greatest joy in life. I am truly blessed! Thank you Beth, Malana and Larry for sharing your most precious gift with us.