Filling the Bank
We were happy to join the family Sunday for Hilly's birthday...lots of opportunities to fill up the emotional bank with hugs :) Here's the Birthday Girl with her favorite nephew. He's looks ready to make a fuss but I think he's just watching the birthday cake and candles approach.
Evan spent a lot of time in the backyard trying to get in the bocci ball game. All he got was picked up and handed around so that he wouldn't get bopped on the head with a ball. The guys played one long game that was called on account of darkness. They all warned Grandpa that he'd lose...but alas he won again, bad shoulder, bum eye and all :) You can't keep an old guy down!
Everyone managed to be at the party at one time or another. Renee and Tom put out a big deli spread topped off with lemon cake and lime sherbet. Tom, the hard working, traveling service guy, had to head out for Orlando early in the evening and Brad came in late after a long day at work. So we were real happy to see everyone.
Yesterday I had a play date with Evan. Of course I needed a nap when I got home. At 18 months he's lots of fun and is a real happy guy. We went outside for a little while and he wanted to practice going up and down stairs then running down the grassy hills. Kept me busy.
I put his house key on my chain while we walked so when we went back to the apartment I gave Evan the key chain to carry. When we got to the door he picked out his key from the dozen or so I had and wanted to be lifted up to put the key in and open the door. What a smart baby!
We danced to the Disney Channel kids, stacked blocks, ate lunch (pbj), read books and hugged. He talked a lot but I couldn't understand much of it so we had a few frustrating moments. But he used a lot of body language to show me what he wanted. For example, he went and got his own diaper when he needed a change! By the time we come back in April I bet he'll be saying a few sentences.
My reward for the day was a spontaneous hug from Evan and the words, "I ee you" ...I love you!