Elena and Malea Visit -- Days 12 & 13 and Saying Good-bye

9th - Where is the time going?  We only have these lovelies for a couple more days.  Oh my and there are still so many things we want to do.  One of the requests that Elena had when she first arrived was to sew a skirt.  I get the fabric washed first thing so that she can cut out her skirt today and start sewing.  To appease Malea --- a new toy!!  As soon as Elena has her fabric cut, she starts ironing in her hem and casing for the elastic at the waist.  Then to the sewing machine to put both of those and the back seam in place.

Now for the elastic --- running it through the casing with a very large safety pin.  This part is pretty hard for her and here I thought the actual sewing might be.  Once we get the elastic through, I close the seam with her and she wants to put some sparkly rick rack on the lower edge of her skirt.  I set her up and just let her go.  Would you like to watch?

And her finished product!  She did such a great job.

Now it is time for more school work.  We only have a few papers left, but they must be finished.  If you noticed, she keeps changing clothes in these pictures.  Well that is because we are TRYING to take pictures again today as Grandpa was not thrilled with the ones yesterday.  The big problem is that Malea has NO interest in doing so today so the sewing pictures show Elena all dressed up as we would sew a little then try to get Malea to cooperate, then sew some more, etc.

We gave it one last shot before Elena switched clothes again.  This is what we got and this is only because I bribed with a cookie.

Yep, one pic and she turned her back on me.  I try to get her to turn around and then do some strange sound that gets a half glance at me.  Now I know why I don't photograph children for a living.  The last picture is the VERY end of her patience and then Elena asks for one last picture of herself.  Well -- that's finished and I am happily handing this task back to Mister the next time the girls are here.  Oh my.

I ask Elena to show her skirt and it interferes with watching a show so she is not real happy with me either.  After her show, she comes out dressed different and says she wants the ladies online to see what she made.  Okay.  We post it and oh my -- she gets over 1,000 likes and almost 300 comments.  Way to go Elena.  I take the time to put together a skirt for Malea as well so that she doesn't feel left out.

10th - Grandpa is home today so we are off on an adventure.  Elena wants to wear her skirt and Malea brings hers as well.  However things go downhill fast when I put tights and a shirt on with it.  She throws an ever loving fit and no longer wants the skirt -- just the tights and shirt.  Oh my goodness.  It takes several tickling moments to get her in a better mood and ready to dress again to leave the house.

Elena asks if we can go to the coffee shop first so of course she gets what she asks for.  Isn't that what grandparents are all about?  

Cheers!

Ah what a sweet picture!

The other request is for the museum.  Once we arrive, they are off.  This is just way too much fun.  They know exactly where they are going and within moments have found the fun area.  This is such a great place and we just sit and watch them move around the room.  Elena discovers the mirrors and gets Grandpa to take a picture of the "many" Elenas.

Elena gets a chance to put her newly found "sight words" to work and try for a few more sentences.  Look how great she does.

In Arturo's nest.

Here Grandpa --- hold this for me.

Grandpa sneaks Elena away to work on a project while Malea and I continue playing for awhile.  We are here for almost two hours and it is time to go.  We have hungry tummies and still need to get to see great-grandma.  It's a busy day for sure.  Chick-fil-A here we come.  Grandpa is not a fast food fan but if we are going to do such a thing, he approves of Chick-fil-A.

AND they have a play area to get the wiggles out.  Yay!

Our last stop of the day is at Great-Grandma's house where she has a gift for the girls.  She has found some great little angels for my little angels.  How wonderful of her.  Both girls are full of hugs for her and shower her with some lovin'.

Once we get back home --- I figure they have been so good today that popcorn and a movie makes sense.  Grandpa takes over dinner while Malea gets a bath and then has to go and find her blanket.  I wonder where it could be?

Yes, they love each other and it is their last night together.  Mommy arrives late tonight to sweep them off to Mexico with her.  Drat.

11th -  Saying good-bye is always so hard to do.  Grandpa and his girls have a hard time of it, but they are excited for their next adventure.  We simply cannot wait to have them back again.