Recharging the Batteries and Grant's Fish

Each year Brandon and I try to get away without the little ones to recharge our batteries.  This year we were lucky enough to go with another great couple to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.  We are also very lucky to have grandparents willing to watch our kids while we escape.  (our many thanks!) Our vacation was wonderful and the kids had a good time too.

Grant learned that it is "not nice push" (not nice to push his sister).  Grant also got his fish the night that we left.  Hot Dog was a beautiful orange goldfish with a white tuff on top of his head.  Unfortunately, Hot Dog did not make it.  Apparently he made a pretend phone call to me "Hi Mommy (small pause) Good (as if I had asked him how he was).  Hot Dog dead."  He took the fish passing in stride.  My dad took him back to the pet store to get another one but their water system had be contaminated and all of the fish had worms so they wouldn't sell him one.  The first thing we did we got back was take him to buy a new fish.  Hot Dog II, a male beta, that kind of looks like an actual hot dog is now residing in Grant's room.  I did keep the receipt...just in case!

Grant examining Hot Dog II

Elizabeth is as expressive as ever.  She is really opening up to conversation with strangers.  Just today someone complimented her coat and instead of just saying "thank you," she added "I have mittens that match, see?"  Her favorites things to say right now are "I have no idea" (which she will say to almost anything!) and "oh yeah!" (spoken very low and slow).  Brandon said, "Let's have eggs and bacon and sausage and coffee cake for breakfast." Elizabeth's response was "Oh yeah!"  I guess it's just her way of showing excitement!

The best news is that we are all healthy and we all had a good week apart.  My mom said the kids actually never asked once about us.  We tried to FaceTime with them everyday or two.  She said they didn't even ask when we were going to be calling next.  I tried not to be hurt by this, by concluding they must have just really been enjoying their time too!

I have no idea what the boys did to make us laugh this hard, but I love this picture!

Matt & Brandon

Majestic Elegance - Punta Cana

Today it was back to reality.  Our ocean breezes have been replaced by a very chilly 40 mph wind.  Lunches by the sea have turned into PBJ's.  Lounge chairs, Bali beds and card games are now trips to Wal-Mart and Costco.  But that's OK.  We enjoyed every ounce of paradise with no regrets and we are recharged to enjoy and appreciate the special moments we get to have as parents.  After all, is there really anything better than your daughter just wanting to lay in bed and cuddle with you and your little boy grabbing your face and kissing you all over?  I think they might have missed us...just a little ;)