the last two weeks

Warning: this post contains LOTS of pictures... and believe me, I cut back!

My mom was able to come out and help us out right after Alexander was born.

Alexander--6 days old

It was so great! She made wonderful meals every night (with dessert!), I never had to worry about dishes or laundry, and she had so many fun things for William and James to do.

It seems like every day (if it wasn't raining) she took the boys outside--on walks, in the yard, or to the park. (William even helped her find the park while we were still in the hospital--smart boy!)

She always had some kind of fun craft to work on!

She brought fun gifts. Like balloon cars.

And fuzzy socks.

Seriously, who knew that socks could be this much fun? The boys loved them.

And she acted out stories with them. At the park they reenacted The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Three Little Pigs. At home we all did Caps For Sale. James was a great monkey.William had so much fun acting out stories that he had my mom help him make a bear mask so we could act out Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

James loved to snuggle up with Grandma and a good book.

For Memorial Day, Rich pulled out the pool. The boys had a great time splashing around.

And while James calls the pool his bath... Alex got his first real bath. And I was realizing... I think that my mom has given each of my boys their first bath!

Toward the end of her trip I ventured out to the park. It was a good thing because on the way home I saw that it was the annual Brisket at the Barn! I was glad that my mom got to experience one of our town events while she was here. William even informed us that he wasn't afraid of Chester the Clown anymore--and the boys loved getting their balloons from him. William also loved getting blue teeth from his sno-cone.

While we had someone to take pictures we attempted to get one of the whole Crane crew. That didn't work out so well.

Thanks Mom, for coming out here! We love you and can't wait to see you next month!