Grandpa's Playhouse

I can't even start to describe how much fun it was to have Grandma & Grandpa Orr, Colin, Robynn and Addy here for Christmas, but let me give it a shot. First of all Payton spent the week leading up to everyone's arrival begging for ADD-EE to get here, she would practically break out in tears when I'd tell her it would be another day or hour or minute. It was a rough week, the anticipation of Santa and the family is really trying on a girl at 2 1/2. Parker had no clue what a great week was in store for her, but she has spent quite a bit of time since they left wondering why we abuse her so allowing her to occasionally not be held.

The week started out with Payton riding in the car for 4 1/2 hours with G & G explaining to them that Grandpa is a boy and a man, over and over and over. 30 minutes into the drive they called me in my car asking where the off button was. I just laughed, and hung up so that they could continue the chat with her. See, I had a plan. I knew that riding in the car with the babies could be difficult, surely some crying would happen, but that they would eventually sleep. Payton on the other hand was likely to stay awake and at full volume the entire way. And she did.

At last, we arrived at "Grandpa's Playhouse" as the rental house in the Key's became know. And the party began! The girls were kind of a love triangle, but the love seemed to go all 3 directions. Parker was entertained by anything Payton and Addy did. Addy and Payton loved to put on a show for Parker. Payton was finally the big girl, and loved her role as ring leader/boss. Addy thought the baby was very interesting and that Payton was pretty bossy but also very exciting. There was a lot of screaming, laughing, singing and giggling. Very few naps were had and lots of emotions were expressed (loudly), and we loved most every minute of the trip! It was feeling very un-Christmas like as we sweat outside during the day, but Payton did spot Santa taking a break on the streets of Key West three days before Christmas. I really can't imagine how he had the time, but I suppose he has "people" to take care of the chaos before the big trip so he was just out enjoying an afternoon stroll.

Eventually we had to come back to reality and started the 6 hour trip home (yes it took MUCH longer to get home). This seems to be the part of the trip that Payton remembers. When I ask her to tell people what we did in the Key's she always tells them we went to the park. Well, the park was actually just one of MANY stops on the way home, but was where we decided to have lunch. Kids are funny that way.

So, by the time we got home we had started to remind Payton that Santa would soon be arriving. Christmas Eve she went to bed after helping me set out Oreo's and milk for Santa without putting up a fight. We really talked it up with her and thought she'd be racing downstairs early in the morning. Jackie and Mom and Dad arrived early to be here for all of the fun of the girls all seeing Santa's goodies. But the silly kid must have forgotten by morning, because instead of running for the stairs, she crawled in our bed and asked for cartoons. I suppose it was a good thing allowing everyone to get themselves together a bit, but being a Santa junkie myself I had a really hard time relating. Caillou vs Santa, Santa ALWAYS wins in my book! Finally we had to remind her and headed for the stairs. She was excited to check out the pile, but after surveying the situation, decided that she needed to go potty before diving in. Once again, I question her dedication to this whole Santa thing. Have I already failed as a parent?? SO, AFTER a potty break, the fun began. She opened and opened, as Santa was very generous. I have to take a break here to mention that Addy and Parker were also present at this Christmas, but they were not quite old enough to really grasp the whole event. Addy TOTALLY loved her sun glasses, and is quite the groovy chic in them. Parker got a way cool dinosaur with super cool balls that still seems to be a big hit in our house, but she was more concerned about getting her breakfast in than opening gifts. From here I'll let the photos tell the story.