We really enjoyed our trip to Mexico taken in this 10th year of wedded bliss! It was truly a relaxing, pampering holiday from our regular life (which we love, by the way). First, I have to mention the food - oh, the food. We ate well, often and too much. I mentioned in the earlier post my breakfast of refried beans and pico de gallo (yum)! I had meals that were so good and so well presented I could cry with appreciation (of course, any meal I don't have to make is automatically appreciated!) The beach was so beautiful and relaxing. We could lay on traditional lounge chairs or these wicker beds that were so comfortable. Of course, it was a treat to have so much couple time - we were so spoiled! It was sort of ironic that on the flights home we weren't seated next to each other on either flight - our first time apart for a week! I guess we ran out of things to talk about anyway - haha! And now vacation is over - taught lessons all morning, took Zanna to library time, made meals, did laundry, cleaned toilet, changed diapers - yep, business as usual!
The kids did great with Mom and Dad. I was thrilled to get the report back that Will was always very helpful and agreeable for them. Zanna did well too but had a bad day on the last day unfortunately. She woke up on the wrong side of the toddler bed! Mom and Dad stayed through Zanna's birthday and left the next day. Really, the reason why I did not worry about the kids was knowing what capable hands they were in. We were very thankful my Mom and Dad were willing to watch them while we were away.
Being away from our "lives" for a week also helped remind us how blessed we are - that what we do on a day to day basis is important and has eternal significance - and that we enjoy it! Can't ask for much more than that!!!
Last Saturday, Zanna turned 3! Dora was the theme of the day as you can see by her cake. She also dressed up for the occasion just in case there was a question as to who the princess of the day was. You'll likely notice I did not make the cake - it's store bought which I have been known to do. She wanted Dora and the one at the grocery store was awfully neat. It was a hit! I also did not venture into the "kids party" at this point. I went back and forth on it but finally decided that I've got one year left to get away with it. For this year we kept it to the visiting grandparents and godparents. In keeping with the Dora theme we did tacos and all the fixings which the kids LOVE! 
Some of the gifts she received was - well, dress up clothes from us. As you see she's really into it. She's got one dress she got at Christmas and she's worn it almost everyday since. It's so torn but she still loves it. She now has a purple one to choose from and some play heels. It was still all about the American girl doll (known as Mei Mei in our house). Mei Mei received more clothes and a beautiful trundle bed that she shares with Rou Rou. Zanna got a lovely purple dress to wear along with a matching one for Mei Mei. She also got some princess themed tablewear, an Oxford University t-shirt from across the pond. And a big part of the day was the moving out of the toddler bed and bringing in the big girl bed. Her room looks so grown up now!
