It was blissful to be able to spend so much time with Amelia, Mark, Grandma G, Poppy and Papa in such a beautiful setting. My body finally gave into the stress and busy schedule of the past couple of months and I just couldn't get enough sleep. Between lots of toddler giggles, good sleep, fresh air workouts and wine shared with family I am feeling rejuvenated. Mark and I even pulled ourselves away from Amelia for a nice dinner. It was decadent to be able to go to have a cocktail before dinner, select a non-child friendly restaurant, take our time ordering, savor wine and not have to clean-up the floor before we left.
Amelia-No-Naps-Lang had such a great time in California that she couldn't be bothered with naps. Really, between (two) four hour flights and four full days in California she napped a grand total of two and a half hours. The girl typically logs four hours per day. I think her favorite parts of our vacation were running around the patio chasing balloons and bubbles, riding in the golf cart with Poppy, spitting water at Papa during dinner (yes, in a restaurant and no, Amelia was NOT the instigator), dancing to a mariachi band with Grandma Ginnie, working the putting green and cheering on her favorite team with Grandma and Grandpa!
I am already yearning for the warm California sun on my face and desert stars. Lucky for us Amelia has three grandparents in the desert southwest that can’t get enough of her. I don't foresee any of the grandparents flying by themselves with Ms. Wiggleworm so they are stuck hosting Mark and I until Amelia is old enough to get herself there.
Nurturing her artistic gifts is of course not the only way Amelia knows how to make a mess. Here she is loving on a chocolate chip cupcake. This was taken just moments after Amelia and her partner-in-chaos aka Cousin Georgia managed to cover our home in grilled cheese and bananas. 