Isaac and Mona came for a visit with Nana and Papa! They arrived the day after Christmas and stayed through New Year’s Day. As always, we were thrilled to have them with us for extended time. We have so much fun playing, doing puzzles, reading books, swimming, biking, etc. with them. We definitely keep them busy! We can see significant growth in what they can each do, and how they enjoy things by themselves as well as together from one visit to the next.
Christmas Presents!!
Isaac and Mona loved that “Christmas Day” just got extended. The original plan was to have a new two-wheel bike with pedals for Mona’s Christmas present, but due to everything in the manufacturing and shipping world, it is still delayed, even though I ordered it in October. This was going to be the perfect place for her to transition to the pedal bike–wide streets with little to no traffic and basically super long, flat straight aways. I waited as long as I could before switching to plan B- a baby doll. The bike will be a birthday gift instead.
I don’t know if you have looked at dolls recently at places like Walmart, but there is a new group of quite bizarre looking ones. I knew I didn’t want any of those and knew not to get one too lifelike because Erika freaks out with those.
So I turned to Amazon looking for one that was just a sweet baby doll. Barry helped me decide. We found this one that resembled Mona with big brown eyes and “chipmunk cheeks”. Plus, it came with a unicorn theme, and all in pink – BOTH Mona’s favorites. (Although I must say, I think they got the wrong little hat. LOL But it is still cute.)
Since doll clothes tend to be harder to take on and off, I shopped for bargains in the 0-3 months section in baby departments. I found a multi-piece pink and gray outfit, a sleeper, and a soft blanket that is big enough to really use with the doll. Actual baby clothes (0-3mo) are easier to use, are made to be washed, and hold up much better than harder to find, and significantly more expensive doll clothes.
Mona loved her new baby! She named her Jessica–or Jessie.
Playing with Baby Jessica together!
ISAAC’s main present from us was a real xylophone! It came with quite a selection of music on quality card stock. I color-coded all the notes with the corresponding color on the xylophone. He isn’t ready to follow the music yet, but will have them ready for when he is. It was important to just have fun playing/composing our own songs. We about died when Mona played it one day. She played just a few notes, and out of the blue proudly announced, “That’s my “Mama Won’t Let Me Have a Pet” song. She then promptly put down the mallets and walked away. That was it. Too funny!
The kids brought with them the brand new scooters that they got for Christmas. Papa and I put them together, and headed outside to try them out. Isaac was doing fine, but struggled getting the knack of how to lean with the handle to get the scooter to turn, and wouldn’t get back on it the rest of their stay. Mona did pretty well, but occasionally her pushing foot would tend to hit one of the rear wheels. She did choose to get on hers a couple more times during the week. I’m sure they’ll be zipping around on them in no time.
The kids always love going to the pool! The waterfalls are a big hit, especially to Isaac. It’s really special for them when we can go after dark and the torches at the top of the waterfall towers are lit.
This time when we went to our park’s bowling alley, Mona was eager to bowl. She did great. We did “7-pin” where it will count as a strike if you get 7 or more pins down with your FIRST ball. Mona actually got a real strike on one frame! Barry happened to capture it on video.
Marcia and Mike, who are in charge of the bowling alley always make it fun. They told us last time that we had to bring them back and asked us in November “When are Isaac and Mona coming again?” I was impressed that they remembered their names. We made sure we went when they were working.
Isaac picks up a spare in this video!
Miscellaneous Play Around the House
Playing on the patio.
Mona loved playing with my magnetic Advent tree. Actually they both enjoyed taking all the ornaments off, and then putting them back on as they liked. Mona also liked to play with my little fimo clay nativity set.
Enjoying books:
It was cool to see that Isaac also liked playing with the baby doll. He took charge of dressing her. He put the onesie-sleeper on her, fed her, and then a bit later got her “dressed for the day”.
Craft Time:
Isaac asked about doing a “craft” like we’ve done before. Kiwi crate–Koala level that we ordered for them for Christmas last year. The subscription sent them one themed box each month. We had one unopened box themed “The Farm”. The box was without directions, so we had to contact the company. They emailed a pdf copy.
After making some finger animal puppets, Isaac and Mona took turns putting the hook and loop adhesive dots to all corresponding dots on the barn cutout. This allowed the barn to be opened out flat for the land view, or closed up as the red barn. Next we started making the garden matching game.
Using pipe cleaners and various colored beads, Isaac and Mona made two of each: potatoes, carrots, turnips, and radishes (although they wanted it to be a red pepper). After pushing all the vegetables through the “dirt”, they would then try to harvest two that matched. If they didn’t match they replaced them, and it was the other person’s turn. They loved playing this.
Counting how many pairs they had to see who won this round…
It is New Year’s Eve!
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022!!
New Year’s DAY…
More creative play on New Year’s Day!
A bit later, using the New Year’s Eve party hats, Isaac and Mona had a birthday party. Isaac took care of getting Baby Jessica ready while Mona made the cupcakes using the colorful counting bears that they love to play with every visit. Baby Jessica was “their new baby sister”.
I sure hope they will be allowed to play like this with Baby Jessie when they go home. Isaac and Mona played so sweetly together with the doll for 2 1/2 hours on New Year’s Day! It is really important for boys and girls to play like this. I’d be happy to later on find a baby boy’s outfit or two if they want Jesse to be a baby boy sometimes when they play.
Getting ready to head back home.
So glad Isaac & Mona were able to visit you. Looks like a great time was had by all. They are getting so big!
Yes, we always love time with them like that. Looking forward to more time during spring break. Mona will finally get her pedal bike!
Sweet!
I can tell you’re a teacher! Fun learning activities. I bet Mona and Isaac love visiting!
Thanks. They seem to love time here as much as we love having them. Hope it continues for many years.