Weekend with Grandma and Grandad

Steve and I have gone away by ourselves overnight, without Ella, probably 3 or 4 times before. It's always been for about 24 hours max, and usually more like 12 hours. Last weekend we went away from Saturday morning until Monday evening, so we were gone almost 3 days!

Ella did great, just as I knew she would. We wanted her to be prepared that we'd be gone for a few days so early in the week we started telling her that we were going on a trip over the weekend and Grandad and Grandma were coming to stay with her for the weekend and that she was going to have so much fun all weekend. She really seemed to get it and by Friday night was so excited for Dad to arrive.

Ella gave Dad about five minutes in the house before she said "play bubbles?" so they went outside to play bubbles -



Tea party



Reading a book after bathtime



We left before 5 am on Saturday morning and Dad said that the first thing Ella said when she woke up was "Mommy Daddy gone." They spent a LOT of time outside, playing in the backyard, and many walks in the neighborhood. They ate out and went shopping and they all did great.

We called to check in several times and Ella was SO chatty whenever I would talk to her. It was so funny, she would just go on and on about all kinds of things, mostly Cory and being outside and taking walks.

Here are a few photos that Donna took and sent for me to see while we were away.

In Chico's bed


At the front door


Playing in the tent


Steve and I were dying to get home to Ella and so happy to see her on Monday night, but it was so good to know that she was in such good hands and had such a wonderful weekend.

On Tuesday morning when I woke Ella up and we came downstairs she realized that Dad was gone and said "where'd Dad go?" I said "he's back at his house." She said "ohhh, back home with Chico" - it always comes back to the dogs!