For the most part, we barely left the house. Josie had a fantastic time and was often heard saying "I like it here." She learned about many things with Grammy and Grandpa Bob:
- Don't climb the stairs without an adult (the hard way)
- All kinds of potty knowledge from cousin Avery's "Elmo's Potty Time" DVD
- Itsy bitsy spiders attack their prey fast!
- Green blackberries are not ripe yet
- When you play with someone you have to share and take turns
Pennsylvania sweet corn is best
Roslyn gets used to country livin'
For the first weekend of their stay Josie and Roslyn were whisked away to central Ohio for their cousin Lucy's baptism. She was fairly good during the service and didn't sing out "Elmo's Song", but at one point she said, "Let us now sing ABCD's!" Out of anyone Grandpa Bob and Mama were probably the worst behaved when they cursed, "Oh, s#*t!" when Josie's Cheerio cup hit the floor.
Being quite a good girl
Back at Muddy Acres (Aunt Sara's house) lots of relatives gathered for a party including all of Grandpa Bob's five granddaughters and almost all of Uncle Bruce the Great's four granddaughters.
Josie relaxes on the couch...
... before cousin Lucy comes along to pluck out her eyeballs.
Roslyn gets a snuggle from cousin Sarah
Roslyn shows Uncle John how good she is at shadow boxing
Josie checks out Uncle Christopher's goats
The goats suddenly have a craving for Josie's Led Zep shirt
"Baa! Put down the grass and bring the shirt closer!"
Back in Edinboro some friends gathered for a hootenanny at Grammy and Grandpa Bob's house.
Josie and Avery Mae play with sand (dump sand in the grass)
Avery Mae and Josie
During the visit Mama and Grammy resolved to attempt the "no diaper" method of potty training to fast track Josie's underwearing lifestyle. As it turns out, she's just not ready -- She doesn't have "the feeling", as Elmo would say. She had an accident at the hootenanny. Mama was in such a rush to get dry pants on Josie, she didn't pay attention to whether they were on correctly.
Totally Crossed Out
Josie's favorite activities at Grammy's were: running around the yard, dumping sand in the yard, walking up the road with Grammy, picking up hickory nuts, feeding the itsy bitsy spider, finding snakes (two garter snakes!), riding the rocking horse, picking Grandpa Bob's tomatoes, and swimming with Grandpa Bob.
Swimmin'!Roslyn's favorite activities were: sitting on various family members, drooling, smiling, napping, not napping, tummy time, rolling over.
Hanging on Uncle John
Roslyn gets a closer look at her "Very Hungry Caterpillar" blanket from Miss Donna
Wee heavy noggin
As usual Josie just couldn't get enough of her cousin, Avery Elizabeth. They are becoming good playmates but still need quite a bit of refereeing with learning to share toys by taking turns.
Josie and Avery pick Grandpa Bob's tomatoes
Good times at McKean's Rec Park
One rainy day Avery Mae came over for a play with Josie. Josie rarely experiences precipitation so it was a special treat for her. She could probably do without the bothersome thunder and lightning that forced her to stay under the porch, however.
Hugs
Singin' in the rain
Before departing for San Diego Josie and Roslyn got a tour of the Edinboro firehouse from Avery Mae's grandfather, John Snyder. Avery's brother, Ethan, is a frequent visitor to the firetrucks and he helped out with the tour guiding.
Ethan told Josie all about the inside of an ambulance including where the hurt person lays and where the professionals sit.
Mama, Josie, Donna, and Avery Mae
Josie, Ethan, and John
Grammy and Roslyn
Liiiiiiiiiifting the firehose
"I love Grammy"
Josie improved her fine motor skills and is now quite handy with a fork and spoon. It's not unusual for her face to remain fairly clean throughout a meal.
Meddling with Grammy's Sudoku
Forking up noodles
We love you SO much, Grammy and Grandpa Bob!
Franco Harris sees us off at PIT
The girls were very good on the long trip home. The only hiccup occurred on the second flight when Josie had an enormous and tragic diaper blowout seconds before take-off.
Josie, Roslyn, and Mama are very grateful for their time with Grammy and Grandpa Bob and already miss them bucket loads!
