Roadtrip to Great Grandmother and THE CLARKS!

Last weekend, Anelya, Hoovie and I took our first long road trip (ok the one form Kazakhstan to the U.S qualifies too) to Connecticut, where Anelya had the chance to spend some time with her great grandmother, Nanu! We left mid morning on Saturday and made our way to New Canaan, stopping for lunch about half way through the 4.5 hour drive. Anelya was EXCELLENT in the car! Because she turns ONE on January 15, I decided that qualified as old and big enough to turn her car seat around, which they say is fine at one year of age and 22 lbs. She really likes sitting forward and was a good sleeper and dancer, bopping her head to her favorite Laurie Berkner Band tunes. After two hours of "We are the dinosaurs marching, marching..." on a bonus disc of only five songs, we stopped at Target to buy a sure thing "The Wiggles Greatest Hits". Oh if only I had filmed the dance moves!

We arrived to Connecticut and played with Nanu a bit and then it was time for Anelya to eat. She is a happy little traveller and was quite content to meet her new great grandmother and chase her just about everywhere!

Nanu was prepared with a host of toys, but Anelya was most intrigued by the wooden coasters, which Hoovie could spin so that when they fell, it made an excellent noise on the wood floor. Nanu thought Anelya was beautiful, charming, and "quite sharp". We ate a nice early dinner and Anelya was DONEZO. She sat on the floor, put her head between her feet and said, "Mama, NIGHT NIGHT!!!" We quickly packed up our stuff and made way to the close by Inn where we spent the night.

I scurried to get the room ready. Holy mackerel what it takes to travel with this baby! We got all settled in and Anelya slept right through the night until 7:30 a.m.! She's the best. The three of us went to the breakfast buffet and Anelya chowed down. It's unlike her to get fussy, but after about 15 minutes she did. She didn't want ANYTHING I was offering her, so finally I said, "Anelya, you are going to have to tell me what you need. I can't understand you." She looked me right in the eye and said, "Banana." There were none in sight and none available, but luckily I had one in my bag and she got her banana.


After breakfast, we made a brief stop at my grandfather's grave, so he could meet Anelya too. It was a nice, but brief moment.

We returned to Nanu's for a couple of hours. Anelya played with Nanu and bopped around.

And ate a giraffe...

and played with the Hoovie...

climbed on everything...

and showed off her walking skills...

On our way home, we made a stop in Massachusetts to visit none other than: TAMMY, BOB, JULIA KALAMKAS, and SARAH! Ohhhhhhhhhh what a reunion it was! When we pulled in the driveway, Julia recognized us right away and started banging on the window and yelling. It was very clear when we got inside that the girls recognized each other. It was a very emotional moment for me.

As you can see, Julia is thriving and their family is as happy as ours is!

The Clark/Gilpatricks have an impressive toy room and now I feel that I have to turn my guest room into a toy room too. The girls were just enthralled all of the toys and the kid friendly set up, so... PROJECT!!! :-)

Julia is a gifted artist already and would LOVE to color any of your walls. She's taking requests!

Anelya loved this gardening activity center they had, but I can't seem to find it anywhere!

I had to show you the bows...

All of our girls, together again!

We need a slide...

Julia was excellent at sliding!

Anelya is thinking about starting to color too!

Love her :-)

We need a piano...

After an hour or so, it was time to feed Anelya. Once again, we fed our girls together and it felt just like old times. Our visit way far too short, but it was perfect to visit and stay in touch. I have missed this family so much since our trips and I am just so happy to know they are only two hours away. Hurricane Caesar packed up and left for home and I realized that I didn't wash the high chair tray. I am still embarrassed. Mommy brain.

Ok now let's be honest. Of Baba had taken this picture she would have told me to do something about my hair and stop making that freakish smile.

More importantly, notice how the girls can't take their eyes off each other!

We had a truly wonderful weekend and it was just so exciting to see Nanu and the Clarks all in one weekend.