Strings, parks and drones: Tanya's February Visit

Just like last year, Tanya gave me a wonderful birthday present by bringing herself - plus Nara, Harry, and Otto - down to visit us. I think our trip can be divided into about four themes:

1. Food

Mmm... best breadsticks ever! Thank you, Tanya!

Green beans, mashed potatoes, and farmer's market chicken.

2. Squeaking on stringed instruments in pajamas

This is the one group shot of the kids that we managed. Harry was playing hard to get. ;)

Harry, though he had previously been asking for a violin, fell completely in love with the massive cello we've been renting and had to play it just about every time he entered the living room. He loved to tell us his great discovery that "I'm really good at cello!" It was adorable.

Misha showing Harry the violin.

The bed-headed blonds.

So elegant!

3. Parks

Misha is now such a pro at the ripboard that he can even carry Harry.

Everyone on boards!

We often combined themes 2 and 3 by taking a mandolin or uke to the park - and sometimes, at Nara's pleading, a small violin as well.

Look at that grin.

Look at that concentration!

My tree-climber.

4. Drones

Though Josh had ordered his two mini drones without the intent of sharing with any children, he ended up generously allowing everyone to attempt to fly them. They're crazy little things that are far too easy to send crashing against the ceiling before bashing to the floor. Fun though!

Harry was screeching in absolute delight. Before this point, he hadn't mentioned ever returning to visit us. But once the drones were out, he was babbling away: "Maybe if we come back to Texas to visit, we can fly the drones again!"

Getting the tiny propellers stuck in hair is a hazard to watch out for ... For some reason, the little drones loved to crash into Nara and tangle up her poor whisps.

Otto, the cutie crawler.

South Dakota: Grandma and Grandpa!

Airport reunion

Misha and Sebby didn't really comprehend the fact that we were going to see Grandpa and Grandma until we were on the airplane from Houston to Chicago. Then they got really excited, and when we finally made it to Sioux Falls, they ran down the hallway, backpacks bouncing, out the doors and into Grandpa and Grandma's arms. Sebby's first question to them was an eager "Do you have games?" (No worries there.) The next two weeks were filled with all the fun activities that they love to do when they see Grandma and Grandpa. We fit so much in that even Misha said, "I can't believe it! We're doing EVERYTHING!" A favorite, of course, was getting out the old bikes. Misha's bike from two years ago still works pretty well for him, and Sebby is perfect for Misha's tiny bike with training wheels. In addition, there are trikes, scooters, hula hoops, a wagon, the sandbox, not to mention all of the toys in the basement. Misha loves digging out his own old treasures from the boxes down there, and Sebby likes it because everything he finds is like a brand new toy.

Some funny moments:

- In the Chicago airport, an employee asked Misha where he was from. "America," he said.

- Sebby refers to Kyrgyzstan by prefacing his sentences with "in my other house ..."

- Shopping with Grandma is so exciting! When Misha saw the huge aisle dedicated to nothing but breakfast cereal, he said, "Wow! Maybe we should try a few new kinds!" Before we arrived, Grandma had already stocked the cupboard with the best - Cheerios, Life, Cocoa Puffs, Honeycomb, and Kix.

- Sebby also loves shopping with Grandma. When she loaded up her cart with new tennis shoes, new sandals, AND new rain boots for him, he laughed and said, "Grandma just keeps throwing shoes in there!"

Misha having fun riding down the alley.

Sebby was thrilled at the prospect of riding a real bike.

On the bike trail.

My boys and me, riding the trail.

Playing with a toy from Grandma Kate.

Of course, Grandpa treated the boys to waffles right away.

Analyzing a chess game on the iPad.

Mmm, sopapillas at Guadalajara's.

The new Lions Park.

Play-dough

Massive rhubarb leaves ...

... for a pie! So ambitious!

Misha was waiting to get his robot out of the basement, a gift from Grandma Kate.

Sebby still calls this "football."

Grandma spoils them with chicken nuggets. They were so pumped.

A trip to McCrory Gardens

Games, games, games.

Digging dandelions for Grandma. Sebby loved this. "Grandma doesn't like roots!" he told me emphatically.

Weed-whacking for Grandpa.

A trip to the Watertown Zoo!

 

We finally got to see Tanya and Aaron when they came to Brookings for Nara's third birthday, bringing along my new nephew Harry. Sebby and Nara are only a year apart and about the same size. Sebby immediately started teaching her how to play Ants in the Pants.  Nara had long been waiting for her "boys" to come back from Kyrgyzstan!

Sebby, me, Harry, Nara, Misha - all together!

Ants in the Pants. Sebby also loves Don't Spill the Beans and Don't Break the Ice.

Everybody play!

My dad's wonderful paella for the birthday celebration.

Whispering as if they had known all along that they were supposed to be buddies.

 

I had the honor of making Nara's "bug" birthday cakes!

She loved the snail the best.

 

The boys loved playing with Aaron.

Jenna and Harry

A trip to the Kids Museum concluded Nara's party.

Playing "grocery store" at the Museum.

Sound sensation!

More music.

Red-headed cousins.

The boys engrossed in Grandpa's chess game.

Frisbee at the park.

The joy of the train coming by!

Back to McCrory Gardens.

Sandbox fun.

The wagon rolls again!

Everyone grab a swing.

Cuddles.

Waiting for their "grass hair" creatures to sprout ...

There they go!

I had no idea Misha was so talented at hula-hoops. He learned it in his school!

Trampoline fun at Jenna and Gary's.

After that, we traveled to Grand Forks, ND, to spend some time with Tanya and family. Since it's only a four hour drive, we have been going back and forth!