Because Nana is so special...

For an entire hour after we dropped my mom off at the airport, London sobbed, "But I really, really, really miss Nana! And I really want her to come back now! I am so upset!" And all my reassurings that we would see her again at Christmastime did nothing to console that three-year-old broken heart.

My mother turned the big 50 last weekend, and spent her birthday here! It was her first time visiting us since we moved in February and her first trip ever to Seattle. 

Before my mother flew in, I was an absolute stress-case. I re-dusted and re-polished every surface of my house, fluffed all the towels, and organized my spices. Even as a grown up, I crave the approval of the woman I aspire to be. 

My mom's flight got in just after London's bedtime. I was going to leave her at home with Kyle and Elle, but London told me she could stay up late and drive to the airport with me. She said, "I want to come wis you because Nana is so special." She tried her very hardest, but as we pulled off the Sea-Tac exit, Taylor Swift songs from the back seat became the light snore of sweet London.

The whole drive home, my mom and I kept saying, "I can't believe you/I are/am actually here! It feels like a dream!" 

The next morning, we walked the reserve along Lake Wilderness, mostly because it's my favorite thing about living here.

We drove to Downtown Seattle on Saturday to show her the Seattle Center, which includes the Space Needle, Science Center, and the International Fountain.

And London had her first soccer game!

She watched London tap and leap at dance class, and we celebrated her birthday at the Black Diamond Bakery and the Nutty Squirrel Gelato. 

Of course the activities were fun, but what I loved the very most was my mom in my kitchen. She has this grace about her, while she is cooking, that is seriously fascinating. Maybe in twenty years or so, I'll figure out how she does it!

And then there was London, who wanted to be in my mom's arms for the entire weekend. I laughed as they spent hours pretending that London's stuffed animals were talking to one another... "This is Marie, and she is my Dad! And my name is Pickles. Pickles is my first name, and Pongo is my last name!" She even insisted on cuddling in Nana's twin bed to fall asleep at night. London loves her Nana. But I think I love her even more.