Happenings at the Hollis House: Our Trip to Georgia

We are finally home! Though it was great to spend some time with the grandparents in Georgia, we are very happy to be back home. Traveling with a four year old and a one year old is not one of the easier endeavors in life. We spent a quick but fun filled 24 hours with Grandmama and Pap in Senoia (basically Peachtree City) and then headed further south to Lagrange for a few days with Papa and MeMe'. Here is the quick (or not so quick) recap of our adventures.

Kara earned two new nicknames the first of which is Billy Goat Gruff. Let me explain: I put Kara down for a nap in Grandmama's back bedroom in her Pack-And-Play. The Pack-And-Play was in the middle of the floor in what space there was between the bed and a bookcase. Kara cried for a few minutes; when the crying ceased, I assumed she had went to sleep. Almost thirty minutes later, I heard a rustling sound from the back bedroom. I quietly tiptoed to the door to check in on her. When I peered in, I was in shock. To my dismay, my tiny little child had pulled many many books into her Pack-And-Play, but it gets better... She had tons of paper stuffed in her mouth; she was eating a 1930 edition of Robin Hood that had been Grandmama's as a little girl!!!!!! How she reached the books, much less pulled them into her area, is beyond me because the shelf appeared to be far from her reach, and they were all HEAVY hardback books. Thank God she was not hurt and did not choke! When she saw me in the door she began to laugh uncontrollably. I so wish that I had taken the chance to take a picture of Kara with a mouthful of grandmama's childhood! This classic book now looks like a dog feasted on its binding. Our little Billy Goat Gruff is no longer offered food on paper plates! :-)

Kara went on later in the week to earn the nickname "Bam Bam" while visiting Papa and MeMe'. The child picked up a kitchen chair and moved it across the room. Jenna could not even pick the thing up. Kara has the strength of the Hulk in the body of a Cabbage Patch doll! She has started picking up all things bigger than her and giving them new homes. We are expecting her to pick up Jenna next!

The first night in Lagrange Uncle Alex, Aunt Heather, and Ella were still there so the girls had a chance to play with their cousin, and they all had a great time. Ella and Kara enjoyed swapping sippy cups more than anything! Ella is only three months older than Kara, so Jenna enjoyed being the big girl and looking after them both. She really is great with them!

My parents and in-laws were super sweet in celebrating my 30th (yes, THIRTY) birthday. We had cake three days in a row because Nana (my mom) surprised me with a cake on Tuesday before we left; Janet (Jon's mom) had a cake when we got there on Wednesday, and Jane (Jon's step-mom had a cake for me on Thursday. My birthday was a triple treat this year, and Jenna Ashlyn took full advantage of the many opportunities to digest massive amounts of sugar! I'll post a video of her dancing that proves this! My sweet siblings, Austin, Megan, and Katie called to wish me a happy birthday. and that meant that we got to talk to Aunt Katie in Germany! Jenna asked if we were going to Germany when we left Georgia; she said "Mommy, isn't it just right down the road from Georgia?"- too cute!

We celebrated this great nation's birthday in LaGrange, and enjoyed a cookout with lots of friends and family. Jenna put on a dance show for us; The clip of that funky action is the proof of her being on sugar overload!

On the way home, we stopped at the Tanger outlets in Commerce (one of the best shopping places ever) to give the girls a break from the riding. Jenna had the best time simply because she got to ride one of those mechanical horses; Kara on the other hand was a bit skeptical of the whole idea! Eating at Chick-Fil-A topped off a "fantastic day" in Jenna's words.

I've included lots of pictures below that document some of the fun times from our trip. Thanks so much to all the grandparents for a great trip; we can't wait to see you all again soon!