So while Mike and I were gallivanting around Grand Cayman, the Spead sisters were at home enjoying time bonding with Kay Kay and Pa. We are so grateful that my parents were willing to take on this job–caring for a 2.5 year old and 14 month old is no small feat. Especailly for a week! Plus I left them a 6 page document full of notes, so no pressure, right?? 🙂 We face timed the girls enough to know that yes, they missed us…but they were having a blast with two of their favorite people. They had lots of adventures, tried new foods (hamburgers! strawberry shortcake!), and learned lots of new things (corn shucking!).

Caroline now says, “what the heck?!?!” sounding exactly like my mom. She also asks us what her options are for dessert (each night). And the other day she pointed to a picture on the Alexa screen and asked what it was…I told her it was a banjo and Caroline said, matter-of-factly, “like oh Susannah. Did you know Mommy that she had a banjo on her knee?” I asked where she learned that and she said “Kay Kay taught me a song about her! She comes from a bama!” Kay Kay also taught Caroline a song about brushing her teeth that, when I heard it, I laughed afterwards and said “what does that even mean???” And now each night when Caroline brushes her teeth, she sings the song, after which she puts her palm to the sky and shakes it, laughing, saying, “what does that even mean?!?” And it’s the cutest.

Luckily we had a few days to enjoy with Kay Kay and Pa before we left them with the little ladies! Despite the frigid January temperatures, we got to enjoy some fun dinners together, a few dry runs to preschool, and even a bit of playground time. It’s just too bad they don’t have any fun with Kay Kay.

Then Mike and I headed out early in the morning for our tropical babymoon/anniversary trip. See ya, kiddos!

Kay Kay and Pa were quickly introduced to typical mornings in our household…lots of pushing shopping carts and baby strollers around our main level (like it’s a racetrack) with various bags of treasures in tow, along with stuffed animals, baby dolls, and other assorted goodies.

Kay Kay taught them both the value of hard work and got them involved in prepping for dinner. Corn shucking 101 at its finest!

Of course, their efforts were rewarded with delicious meals…Caroline loved Kay Kay’s burgers!

And you know when Kay Kay comes to visit, it isn’t a question of whether there will be dessert, but rather what the options are. Vivi loved the frozen yogurt option…

And Caroline was quite pleased with her first ever strawberry shortcake treat. When my parents set us this picture, Mike and I about died…just look at that little face, having the time of her life!

Kay Kay and Pa took them on adventures to the indoor playgrounds since it was so cold out. Caroline and Vivi had a ball!

Even if they wore Vivi out a bit!

Mike and I got home and were so grateful to have a few more days to spend with Kay Kay and Pa before they headed back to St. Pete.

Funny story–Before my trip, I had ordered actual shoes for Vivi (she didn’t have a pair that fit!) and was really only using socks on her (I know, I know…total #momfail since it was freeeezing out but she wasn’t walking anyway–so do you really even need shoes???). I assured my mom that the shoes would arrive any day so to keep an eye out…only to find out when I returned that no shoes had arrived. Of course, wouldn’t you know it–on Saturday afternoon at the airport drop off, I gave my parents big giant hugs and thanked them for taking such great care of my babies and for giving me and Mike this wonderful gift of a getaway. My mom said, “you know you’re going to pull into your driveway and see those shoes waiting for you!” And sure enough, that was exactly what happened. Before they even boarded their flight, I texted them this picture:

Just more proof that moms really do know everything! Thank you to Kay Kay and Pa for taking such great care of the Spead Sister Squad!!