writing a textbook & an escape

Back at the end of April {yes, these first pics are a bit old}, Graham had a textbook deadline. He's writing his first textbook {a real-deal textbook for interpersonal communication}, and he needed a few final days of uninterrupted work time so the girls and I headed up to the 147 for a visit. We had a great time playing with "vintage" toys ...

 ... playing outside and trying to walk ...

... enjoying the beautiful new stone pathway that Granddaddy had spruced up ...

... checking out things outside ...

... and playing at the park before we headed out of town ...

Fun times.

Fast forward a month, and Eden was back for another visit.

After we got home from the beach, we had one full day at home altogether before Graham left for a conference. We made it through one day without him even making it to church but E was just out of sorts. So, we called up CC & Granddaddy, met them halfway in McComb the next day, and E spent a few days escaping and "doing whatever I want." We were planning to drive up on Thursday anyway on our way to Courtney's baby shower in Oxford, so it just worked out all the way around.

Eden spent her days having a tea party at Mrs. Oden's, going to the library, the park, fishing, swimming, watching The Wizard of Oz for the first time {CC said it was like being at book club hearing Eden's commentary about the differnces between the movie and the book and then telling Granddaddy all about it for 20 minutes}.

By the time we got there on Thursday, she was ready to show Lydia all she had been doing. Despite Granddaddy telling us that they had just decided Eden could stay with them from now on, we did convince Eden to come back to Baton Rouge with us after a few days.

Of course, one of her all time favorite activities is to take Sugar (now she calls Sugar - Shug) for a walk. I was completely impressed to watch Eden get Sugar to sit and lie down by just standing in front of her and motioning with her hand. These two are fun to watch together ...

Thank you, CC and Granddaddy, for spoiling this girl! She'll be ready to come back anytime. 143!