Evidence that Nana Jane was here...

It has been great having my mom here for a couple weeks and being able to hang out and catch up! There are a number of things that shout out, "Nana Jane was here!" and here are a few of them:

#1. No dirty Dishes

Having eight kids besides your own in the house all day with bottomless tummies that need drinks and snacks all day, there are always dishes that need to be done. Even with a high capacity dishwasher, there never seems to be enough room to fit everything in. I'm VERY thankful for it-don't get me wrong! Nana Jane made sure that there weren't any dirty dishes or ones lingering in the strainer.

#2. Empty Dryer

I hate to admit it, but there is rarely a day when there isn't a load of dry clothes sitting in the dryer that hasn't quite made it to the 'folding' stage yet. They just sit there after their cycle and get wrinkly....and then I have to run it again for five minutes to fluff them back up again when I actually get around to folding them......but not with Nana Jane here! The beeper would barely go off before Nana Jane would whisk them out and fold everything neatly!

#3. Thomas the Train 48 Piece Puzzle

Oh the huge puzzle.......It didn't matter that his puzzle was meant for ages 6-8 and Sawyer is not even 4 yet.....he had to have it and Nana Jane sat there patiently putting this thing together about 27 times before she left.....now guess who get's to help with the puzzle?!?

#4. Bubble Bath Solution

"Where is Sawyer's bubble bath solution?" is what my mom wanted to know. When I told her he didn't have any you would have thought that I just old her we use Criso to wash him with by the look on her face......I normally just squirt a little bit of his shampoo in while the water is running and call it good......but according to Nana Jane a three year old 'needs' lots of bubbles in his bath. So we now have a huge bottle of 'Mr. Bubbles' in the bathroom so that Sawyer can get proper baths now......

#5. Freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

Helping Nana Jane transfer the cookies to the cooling rack.....yes there were a few that somehow got flipped onto the floor by accident :)

#6. The window cleaners!

Wiping Phoebi's drool off the front windows.

Confession:I started to feel a bit guilty about how often I fall into the just-get-it-done mode. I want things done quickly, efficiently and right the first time. For a three year old who loves to help out and is just aching to feel important and independent, mom's get-it-done mode really sucks. Seeing how much joy he got from all the little stuff that Nana Jane let him help out with reminded me that there are more important things this get-it-done-quick-n-easy world that we live in. So, I'm going to do my best to slow things down and accept a three year old helping hand.

#7. Full Pantry

Nana Jane always is so generous while she is here and one of the nicest things is when she takes us to Costco and we stock up on enough groceries, toiletries and cleaning supplies to last us about 6-8 months. It's SO nice! Our pantry shelves are bursting at the seems!

#8. Sawyer's Loot

Just a couple of things that Nana Jane picked up for Sawyer.....I'm sure it was all stuff that he really 'needed' :) She did her part to boost the economy in the last few weeks....

We miss you Nana Jane!
It was so good to have you here and we're looking forward to your next visit!