A Trip to the Farm

I don't get to see my parents as often as I'd like, so when Jeff suggested Michael and I fly out to CO for my mom's birthday I jumped at the chance. A month later. But still. I brought her gifts and it was great.

We really did have a great time. The flight out was a lot better than it should have been with a packed puddle-jumper plane and Michael sitting on my lap the whole time. People actually commented to me afterwards how surprisingly good he was (I noticed they didn't mention how worried they were when they saw us board, but I caught it). Michael played with the window and reading lights the whole time, with the occasional ipad intervention to keep the guy sitting next to us from snapping.

My Dad and his driver waited for our flight (since my Dad had just flown in too) and we had a fun drive in a taxi. Michael enjoyed the car-seats-aren't-mandatory rule for public transportation and spent the ride trying to get to the doors. When we pulled up to my parent's house, Michael remembered that this is where the chickens live! and bawked for the next 15 minutes. He couldn't even stop long enough to greet Grandma properly. Thankfully, she thought it was hilarious and adorable.

We went out to see the chickens first thing the next morning:

It was a very relaxing visit. I got to make a lot of fires, watch Highlander, and just hang out with family. I got a lot of good quality time in with my Mom, which I loved.

I also got to babysit a bit, during which I fed children cupcakes and let them watch Signing Time on the ipad:

Michael got to spend some quality time with his Grandma Veronin and tiny aunt and uncle:

And we all had a great time making pretzels (yes, that is a screwdriver):

Michael's favorite thing was playing with Ki and Tess. He loves following them around and they seem to really like having a duckling (even if he did get in the way sometimes). They were very good to let him join in with whatever they were doing, be it playing outside in the courtyard:

Or jumping on the mini-trampoline; climbing onto the table; collapsing onto the couch, laughing hysterically; only to get up and do it over and over again:

That was the best game ever, in Michael's opinion:

Here are some more pictures of Michael in the courtyard, learning to shovel snow and loving the heck out of it:

(I interrupted:)

Oh, and Michael made a new friend while we were there. He already knew her name, cos I'm an awesome Mom like that, and carried her around talking to her and saying "Minnie! Minnie!" Thanks Mom and Tess for letting him keep her:

Once again, the plane ride home was better than I expected it to be. Michael had a bit of freedom since the very nice ticket lady opened the seat next to us and he got the window all to himself, but he spent a lot of time trying to climb over me to the isle. I had to distract him with cookies and the ipad and showing Minnie what was outside the window (which he would then take over). Still, no screaming = great flight.

Sadly, the next time we fly, he's not going to be free. On the other hand, at least I don't have to worry about him kicking the poor soul who gets stuck sitting next to us since I will have paid for both seats. Whoo hoo?

It was great to get home again. Michael was very happy to see his Daddy in person (we tried Skyping and Michael wasn't too interested) and Daddy was happy to have us home again, but happy to have had a break of his own. It was a great vacation all around.