We've been looking forward to a summer visit from Auntie Cindy, and she was finally able to pay us one this past weekend! The last time we saw her was in St. Louis at Oma's and T-Pa's last 4th of July; needless to say, Cindy was eager to see her "Special K" again and to meet Porter for the very first time.
She arrived at our house on Friday afternoon a little after 1:00. The boys had already eaten lunch, and Kaiser was waiting excitedly on the ottoman, watching out the front window for her car to pull up. Though he played somewhat coy for the first few minutes, soon he set about showing Auntie Cindy all of his trucks. Porter was a bit hesitant (Darn you, stranger/separation anxiety!) but would grow to be more comfortable, too. After some playtime, both of them went down for their naps, while Cindy and I relaxed, chatted, and watched some TV. Brett had an early day at work and was able to join us at home late that afternoon. I had put together a lasagna the day before, which I popped in the oven for us to eat that evening.
Encouraging Mr. P (whose appetite was poor) to finish his din-din.
After dinner, Kaiser asked to open the "surprises" that Auntie Cindy had brought along for him.
Looks much more demanding than he actually was.
Upon tearing through the wrapping paper, inside he found a cool fishing game! The kiddo went right to work trying to catch something.
Checking out his options...
"Got one!"
Fishing will work up an appetite, so after a while Kaiser was requesting "treat time". (No idea where he came up with this, as I've never referred to it as "treat time" before!) Auntie Cindy works at Brown's Orchard and Farm Markets in York, PA, which, among other things, has a pretty fabulous bakery. She had brought along some fresh peaches and plums, butter rum muffins, a caramel apple nut pie (to. die. for.) and this cutie:
Just for KJB!
Needless to say, Kaiser was thrilled to have a gingerbread man cookie with his name initials all over it. I asked him to smile for the camera before he started eating.
"Cheese!"
Then, he proceeded to dig in to the tasty treat.
Mr. Gingerbread Man lost his head first.
I think he likes it.
I wasn't sure I wanted him to demolish the entire cookie, so about halfway through I suggested that he stop so that we could save the rest for the next day. Of course, he acted like he didn't hear a word I said and just started taking bigger bites. I eventually just had to take the gingerbread man away; I was thankful that Kaiser didn't put up too much of a fuss when I did.
One last nibble...
While Big Bro was stuffing his face, Baby Bro was happily playing in the living room before his bathtime.
Pulling up at every chance now!
And happy about it.
After we laid the boys down to bed, Cindy, Brett, and I watched Unknown, which we'd rented from Redbox. It was pretty good! We also each enjoyed a slice of that caramel apple nut pie. It was even better. :)
Saturday morning Brett awoke entirely too early to round and then head outside of Pittsburgh to a golf tournament with some colleagues, so it was just the four of us for the majority of the day. We hung out and enjoyed some playtime around the house that morning.
Auntie Cindy loves watching the lil guys eat!
More surprises to open...
"TRACTOR SHIRT!"
(Can you feel the excitement?!)
Practicing his line-drawing skills in a workbook Auntie Cindy gave him.
"Hey, I wanna learn, too!"
Snuggled up reading a Thomas book.
I didn't get any pictures of it, but Kaiser and Auntie Cindy also spent a good chunk of time playing on the couch with his construction trucks. I overheard them talking about going to the landfill, loading up dump trucks, driving to "Kaiserville" and "Auntie Cindyville", etc. Our boy was in truck heaven!
We decided that after Porter woke from his morning nap and the boys ate their lunch, we'd go to the Milkshake Factory, which Cindy had read about and seen pictures of on our blog, but had never visited.
"Huwwy up and eat yoah apples and cheese, Poahtah!"
Smiley slowpoke.
We finally got loaded in the car to head down to South Side. You'd think I would have been to our friends' store enough times by now to know how to get there without any trouble, but alas, I am directionally challenged, and when construction made the route I'd planned on taking impossible, I had a bit of difficulty coming up with a Plan B. I'm sure Cindy appreciated the extra tour of downtown Pittsburgh, which may have included a short drive the wrong way down a one way street. :) Whoops! We did eventually make it there in one piece, and we were glad to escape from the hot and sticky day outside to the cool temperatures inside the store.
"What should I order?"
Splitting a "piece of cake" shake with Mommy.
Enjoying his milk -- without the shake.
Goin' after it.
Good to the last drop.
All good things must come to an end...
Clearly Kaiser enjoyed his special sweet treat, and the Milkshake Factory did not disappoint Auntie Cindy, either, who loved her toffee coffee shake.
Lovin' on Porter Boy before we take off.
The "scenic route" we'd taken on the way there (and the shorter one I took on the way back) meant that we got home a little late for the boys' naps, but fortunately it didn't phase them, and they went to sleep well. While they rested, Cindy took a refreshing nap, too, and I made a dip for a gathering we were having the next evening (post about that coming next) and worked on a project on the computer. Brett got home from golfing not too long before the boys got up, and rather than go out to to dinner we opted to just eat leftover lasagna, of which there was still plenty.
Laughing at Daddy about something or other.
Getting clothes back on after being undressed to eat.
We spent the rest of the evening playing with the kiddos in the living room. Aside from having to take away Kaiser's new fishing game when he refused to share with Porter and then threw a fit, it was a fun time.
"Nevermind those fish; I'm fine just chillin' here."
After the boys were asleep, Brett put in Man on Fire, which he and Cindy watched and I half-watched while baking a couple of desserts for the next night.
Sunday morning Auntie Cindy planned to get on the road back to York after the boys ate their breakfast. Although Kaiser awoke both days asking where she was and had absolute blast every second spent with her, when the time came to say goodbye he was not the sweetest of great nephews. So unfortunate. :(
Didn't want to pose for a pic.
Porter was a bit more cooperative.
Despite his body language, rest assured he will miss her!
After hugs, kisses, and many thanks, we went out to the front porch to wave goodbye as Auntie Cindy drove off. What a relaxing but fun couple of days we had together!
Auntie Cindy, thank you so much for making your third trip to the Burgh to see us. You're becoming a traveling pro! We are so grateful for time spent with you. Thank you for spoiling our boys with toys and clothes and, most importantly, love. Kaiser enjoyed every second of playing trucks, reading books, and saying silly rhyming words, and Porter appreciates you feeding and snuggling him. We love you very much and look forward to your next visit to the "Braly Bed & Breakfast"! :)
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