Our Trip Back to the 'Burgh

Which of these is not like the other....

I'm kidding, I'm kidding...well, last week, we had our FIRST DRAMA FREE trip back to Pittsburgh, since we've moved away. My dad wanted to see the kids, so he flew all of us back for 5 days and honestly, it was the nicest 5 days we have spent in Pittsburgh since before we left in 2004. My parents treated us to practically everything and the kids wanted for nothing. Riley was truly the queen last weekend and now we know why her Grandma and Grandpa are in her top list of favorite people.

While we were back, we wanted to go the Carnegie Museum and see the dinosaur exhibit. It's been out of commission since before we moved and we thought the kids would be excited to see the dinosaurs. Riley was in disbelief that they even existed. She really thought they were just things to look at and was not at all interested in the history behind them and their existence. Let us not be surprised that her favorite exhibit was the gift shop in the beginning of the museum. Why they do that doesn't shock me, but man, does it annoy me. Yeah, go ahead and get the kids excited about the toys and knick-knacks so that the entire time they walk through this huge building, they can ask you around every corner, "what can I get at the store over there?"

The museum is really much more interactive than I remember it to be. There are lots of touch screens with explanations, which is nice...and the way you can walk around the dinos is so much more appealing than it used to be...

But nothing was more fun, to me, than to watch Riley and Ronan do the "dig" at the end of the dinosaur exhibit. They had to wear goggles and grab a brush and the metal rod (which I didn't give Ronan because the lady specifically said to me to not let them bang on it...) but OMG, Ronan was so stinkin' cute in those googles. He was so excited to get dirty and brush the sand around...

Riley always loves to hang out with my cousin, Alin and this day was no different. She barely left Alin's side, except to ask me if I would buy something for her...

And Ryan and I rarely have pictures together, so while we were at a stand-still, I made him smile and take a self-portrait with me...I think it turned out pretty cute.

Among the dolls and arts and crafts that my dad had ready for Riley when we arrived, there was no shortage of cars and trucks for little dude. The last time my dad saw Ronan, he was only 8 months and not doing anything, really...so my dad was totally eating it up. We arrived in Pittsburgh with 2 bags. We came home with 6 pieces of luggage and 2 carry-ons. If that doesn't tell you the enormity of what my parents splurged on for the kids, I don't know what will.

Ronan bonded with my dad, or "Pa" as he called him, over the trains. Pa bought Ronan not one, but two train sets while we were there and it took much convincing for them to keep one, so they could entertain him when we come back in the spring. Ronan would laugh hysterically with Pa over the train collisions and sound effects Pa would make...it was so cute to witness and definitely, a wonderful memory for me to have.

And of course, among our visit with Matt and Julie (sorry, I didn't have any pictures of that!), we spent our last night there having dinner with Rochelle and "Teeve" at their place in the South Side. Teeve makes a mean quesadilla...yum. The kids had a blast there, running around like they owned the place and at the end of the night, the kids were lovin' on Rochelle and Steve so much that it made me so excited to think that someday soon...they'll have kids of their own! I can't wait for that!!!

It was such a great visit. I honestly have no complaints. For the first time in a long time, I was able to see my dad in a different light...no stress...nothing but pure love for his grandkids. He wasn't kidding when he said to me that he just is living for the kids...

Although at any other time in my life, I probably would have been sad to not be in the mix of people he "lives" for, to see my parents genuinely happy with the kids around made me thankful they are a part of their lives. My kids knew nothing but extreme love that weekend and it was awesome. Just awesome...