Sunday, May 22, 2011

OHIO: Part Two!!!

Week two in Ohio turned out o be as fun-filled as week one! Mom had an agenda planned for everyday so that we would be able to fit everything, and everyone, in our schedule. I was really happy when Mom took us to Lifetime to visit some of our old friends from the child center. After playing with them in the climber we got to sit in the cafe and have lunch together! Lifetime ROCKS!


In the afternoon, after nap time, Mom took Macie and I over to see Kiera and the twins! All of us had a great time playing with one another, and we even got to stay for a pasta dinner! It was so much fun playing with Kiera that I pouted (a lot) when Mom insisted it was time to go home and get to bed...

Early the next morning we went with the little Grzelak's (Ashlyn and Riley) to the Zoo. Watching Ashlyn and I walk into the Zoo made Mom and Miss Elizabeth a little sad as they reminisced about the "good old days" when we did this often.

Inside the Zoo we visited the house and climbed over the letters. Here we are posing just like we did on our last day in Ohio before moving to Arizona- can you believe Macie is big enough to join in the fun now!?!?!


We did all sorts of things together at the Zoo, including riding the train...

climbing on the animals,

and enjoying our time together with friends!

That evening we went to Open Gym again and played with our gymnastics friends one more time! In the morning the girls (Mom, Miss Elizabeth, Macie, Ashlyn, and I) got dressed and headed to the beauty shop for some makeover fun!

Here we are posing for some before shots:




Inside the salon we sat down and had our nails painted. Ashlyn and I even got to pick out our own nail polish color- bet you didn't guess that I choose purple and Ashlyn chose pink...




Even Macie sat still while the nail tech painted her fingernails!



She was fascinated!



After our nails were done we were moved into salon chairs to have our hair done. Since Macie doesn't have much hair to work with, she just sat in the chair and twirled while smiling at herself in the mirror.



Of course I loved sitting in the chair and looking in the mirror as the stylist worked her magic- I wish I had one of these chairs at home!!!


I chose the princess up-do, and was glad I did because she did an amazing job!!! Poor Mom needs to take some lessons on how to do cool braids like this!



Once my hair was done it was time for makeup, and boy was I excited! They put princess sparkles on my eyelids,


blush on my cheeks,


and finished off my look with a sparkle tattoo and some lip gloss!

When Ashlyn and I were done we looked like two little divas who spent the morning at the salon- poor Dad has NO IDEA what he is in for when Macie and I become teens!


In the afternoon, because of all the thunderstorms, we went to an indoor trampoline place-it was awesome, there were trampolines everywhere!



The following day we spent time with the Grzelak family, sad that our trip was coming to an end. At night we ran around the backyard and played while Dave grilled us a feast on the BBQ. After dinner we roasted marshmallows and ate smores outside.




Before bed I spent some extra special time with my best buddies!


We woke up Monday morning to a big feast, with cinnamon rolls and all!


After breakfast we dressed in warm clothes (it was storming outside) and went to Kroger to say goodbye to all our friends at the grocery store. All of my favorite people were there:

Rose,


Michelle,



and, of course, Jeannie, who took us back for, not only balloons, but for princess rings and donuts as well!!!






Once again it was hard to say goodbye to Kroger, grocery shopping at home just isn't the same...


After another gymnastics class, Mom took Macie and I to visit the "bone store." We don't have any "bone stores" (Key Bank, whose logo happens to look like a bone key) in Arizona and I missed driving by it. I made sure to pose outside the store so that I would have pictures at home to remember.



Inside the "bone store" I met all the employees and told them how much I loved where they worked. They were so delighted with me that they gave Macie and I some lollipops for the road!


We spent our last night in Ohio at Chuck E Cheese with the whole Grzelak Family!

We rode rides, ate yummy food, and enjoyed spending time with our special friends.









Despite Mom's belief that I have not grown much, I am finally BIG ENOUGH to reach the pedals!!!



It was incredibly difficult leaving the Grzelak's house that following morning. We all enjoyed a big family style breakfast together, and I begged Mom to let us stay for a little longer. My efforts wer in vain, and shortly after everyone finished up we packed our rental car, gave our friends the biggest and bestest hugs, and drove off to the airport to fly home to Arizona.

The ride to the airport was filled with tears and screams of "goodbye __________" as we passed all of our favorite places along the way. By the time we arrived at the airport my spirits had picked up. I realized that we were going to see Dad soon, and couldn't wait to jump into his arms!


Macie and I "hammed" it up at the airport until it was time to board our plane and embark on our 4+ hour plane flight home.

Our flight home was fully booked, so after take off Mom built me a fort on the floor and I watched a movie and ate some snacks. Macie took a little catnap while Mom and I kept ourselves occupied, but once Macie was awake I wanted to play. Poor Mom switched places with me (she sat on the floor underneath Macie's and My seat so that I could color and mess around with my sister. Before we knew it we were back home in Dad's arms in Arizona. As much as I enjoyed all the fun I had in Ohio, nothing can compare to the feeling I get when my family is all together.

We are incredibly grateful to all the people who helped make our trip to Ohio comfortable and successful. The Grzelak family is one in a million and we will miss them more than they know- good thing we are already planning a trip to go back and visit again soon!!!