A visit to Aunt Wendi

Matt sent the girls and I to Wisconsin for a few days allowing himself to have a little stay-cation! We bribed Renee to travel with us so that I would make it through the airport without losing a kid :) Wendi was on spring break, so we were so excited to get the chance to spend time with her, see her beautiful new home, and generally just have time together that we sadly don't get as adults in the same way we did as kids. Renee and Wendi are both so wonderful with the girls that I felt like I was traveling with Matt (that is a huge compliment as he is a great traveling partner)! I love seeing my friends with my crazy kids and how easily Madi will turn to her Aunt Wendi or Aunt Nae for help going potty, getting on the swing, or anything else she decided she needs right now. We left super early on Wednesday morning, dealt with an incompetent Frontier check-in clerk and irritable security man, and just made it to our flight as they were boarding. Since I am a little OCD, we had the same row for all of our flights to Wisconsin and home.

Wendi's old milk delivery door

So jealous of her oven!

We dragged the stroller and carseat to the gates for check-in, hauled a large carry-on, diaper bag, Madeline's backpack, Renee's backpack, and a lunch bag around the airport and into the planes. I felt like we needed it all (or at least needed to have lots of backup clothes and snacks because you never know what might happen with kids on a plane), but I am so looking forward to one day flying with just a purse and a book! Madeline was very easy on the plane. She played with her toys, ate snacks, used the ipad, and generally just relaxed. Using pull-ups was vital as the airplane bathrooms are still a little too scary for her. Eleanor was very well behaved for a first time traveler. She ate, sat in my lap, napped, chewed on fingers, "played" with her bug toy and people watched. We only had one or two small cry-fests between all of the flights and they were not bad at all. Renee played etch-a-sketch with Madeline and did the Hello-Kitty viewfinder. She let Madi nap in her lap and held Ella during a nap. It was so great to have the extra (and useful) hands with me! Gone are the days of reading on a plane. But I did get to watch I Am Legend on the way home with no sound since Madi's pay-tv never turned off!

Wendi picked us up from the airport and we managed to stuff all of us into her car. She had a carseat for Madeline (thank you!!) and at the house Wendi had a playmat, a crib, blankies, bath toys, and the kitchen set for the girls. I could not have asked for a better welcome! The girls felt right at home and had plenty to keep themselves occupied. We stopped by Culver's for lunch on the way home from the airport (yum butter-burgers) but ended up having to drive through since both girls fell asleep in the car. Traveling is exhausting, haha! Wendi's home is so darn cute. I wish I could pick it up and bring it to San Diego. Great layout, perfect size. I love the sunroom, the tons of natural light, the original tile in bathroom, the original toothbrush holder in the bathroom (I want one so badly), the PINK double oven, the closet space, the milk door, everything. On top of just great bones, Wendi did a fabulous job decorating and her home is cute, comfortable, and spotless . . . all my favorite things! Wendi lives across the street from a huge park with a lake and plenty of play equipment so we headed over there after lunch to allow Madeline to burn off some energy. I think I was the only one of us who was cold in the 45 degree weather! We rounded off the night with Grandma Kathy coming over, making pizza at home, and Madeline got to celebrate her birthday (again)! Wendi had balloons, a cake, and presents. My kid is so spoiled and she enjoyed every second of her celebration.

After making homemade waffles (a very new idea to Madeline who thought waffles only happened in the toaster), we went to the Jelly Belly factory and shopping on Thursday. The Jelly Belly factory was a bit of a disappointment. I loved the store, but the tour was pretty bad. We did get to sit in a pretend train though it only drove us around the perimeter of the warehouse while showing videos at random stops. Madeline tried out some Jelly Belly flavors, I tried beer which tasted like a Miller Light, we bought some sweets and went on our way. After a little lunch and outlet shopping, we headed back to Wendi's. Madi was cranky since she refused to nap, but we powered through and she was better by dinner time. We went out to Mexican and I managed to eat my whole dinner with Ella asleep!

On Friday we started the day with pancake muffins. These were so good. Madi loved helping Wendi mix and put stuff in the muffin tins. I am definitely planning to make these at home! We went to the zoo and I was pleasantly surprised by how nice it was. Matt and I have memories of a sad concrete jungle from our visit 10 years ago, but the animal facilities were really nice! Madeline was stoked to ride the carousel, see the elephants and giraffes. I loved the cat house. All of the cats were in their indoor parts and we got to get right up close and see them in the glass. So cool! We saw brown bears mating in their pool (hot tub)! I saw a moose for the first time and we generally just had an easy, fun visit. Wendi made two plastic molded animals for Madi, who was very excited to play with her elephant and shark the rest of the day. Grandma Kathy made chinese food for dinner, so we walked over from Wendi's. Madeline got to use the teeter-totter from Kathy's childhood, ride the grandkid's trike, and help plant flowers. She was having way too much fun, and ended up having enough accidents to run out of clean pants. We wrapped her up in a blankie and stuffed Madi in the stroller for the walk back home!

Making a shark!

YUMMY!!!

A little bitty butt crack

We rounded out our yummy breakfast experiences Saturday with regular pancakes. We packed, had some park time and went to Build-a-Bear. Madi refused to choose an animal during or last trip, but she was enthusiastic this trip. Madi picked a sheep she has begun calling "Sheep" (we tried lamby, but that didn't last). Wendi helped her to press the stuffing pedal and pick a heart. Madi gave the sheep a very short bath, picked an adorable rainbow butterfly outfit complete with lollipop, and ended the trip very happy about her new cuddle-toy! As usual, we were sad to leave, but this time was a little better knowing Wendi and Mom Kathy will be out in June to visit. 8 weeks will fly by! Madeline slept on Renee the entire first flight home and then Ella slept on Renee the entire second flight! Matt picked us up late and Renee was more than a little excited to hop in her car and go home to a bed with no kids in the morning!

Overall it was an easy, fun trip. The exact kind I like to do with the kids! Thank you Wendi (and Kathy) for everything you did to make our visit kid-friendly!!!