This is a really cool mountain on the way to Tucson called Picacho Peak....I took a picture in a moving car...not a good idea, I know, but it seemed safer than pulling over on the side of the freeway.Our first stop on Friday was Ashley's school and Natalie made herself quite at home in various classrooms. We peeked in the classroom of one of Ashley's good friends, and Natalie immediately ran to the bookshelf to help herself to a good read. Teacher Rachel was kind enough to let Natalie borrow a snowman book but instead of just accepting her gift and taking it home to read, she promptly took a seat in a middle school sized desk and began to read....out loud...while class was in session. Oh, Natalie!
In the next classroom we visited, Natalie was welcomed by a student who offered her a pen, a piece of notebook paper and the opportunity to draw.....not an offer our Natalie could pass up! She LOVES to draw...especially with pens. These kids were in the middle of a spelling test, so they were more than happy for the surprise guest to buy them a little more time!
Natalie read the snowman book all weekend....and Uncle Matt even read it to her once or twice.
Ashley invited some of her friends from school as well as her favorite neighbors to come over on Saturday night to meet us. They were a great group and Natalie loved hanging out with their kids and playing with the various toys and stickers they all brought with them. One of the highlights of the evening was when Ashley brought out her old Tickle Me Elmo doll for Natalie to snuggle. (Natalie is CRAZY for all things Elmo). Needless to say, it was a hit, and at the end of the night she and Elmo waved goodbye to the last of the guests.
The next day we went out to lunch and this was by far the worst dining out experience with Natalie. She has been such a delight in almost all dining out experiences, but she was in no mood to be cooperative this time.
This is Natalie plotting how she's going to ruin this lunch for her mother, her aunt and everyone in the near vicinity.
This was our last ditch effort to thwart a tantrum....lemons....it's totally gross, not to mention terrible for the teeth, but she loves to suck on lemons and it seemed to appease her for a while. Before long, however, the lemons lost their luster and she turned on us again. She screamed, she threw things, and all she would eat was fruit dipped in ranch dressing....and eventually just the ranch dressing that she would slop into her mouth with her fingers or a soggy french fry. It was lovely. Can't wait to do it again.
Deep in thought....happy to have finally been taken on a walk after her mother was too embarrassed to stay at the restaurant a second longer.
Natalie wearing Aunt Ashley's shoes and carrying around a book about cats....very Natalie!
I thought this was just such a pretty desert view from a hotel near Ashley and Matt's neighborhood. The question is....can you find Natalie?
Thanks Ash and Matt for a great weekend. Your home is beautiful and your friends are so great. We had such a good time and can't wait to come back and stay longer!
1 comment:
Come back--we miss you!
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