For Spring break / Easter we went to visit my mom (aka Grandma Jane) and Pepo down in Texas. It was just the breath of fresh air that I needed getting away from the cold, dreary Chicago winter. It gave me a glimpse of what’s to come in the next few months weather-wise here at home. Oh, how I love warm weather and sunshine! I don’t think most of the folks down there thought it was warm, but for us, 70 degrees was just perfect.
I flew down with the three kids by myself (yes, I know, I’m crazy) and then my husband met us down there about four days later. The kids did such a great job on the airplane. I’m not going to lie, I was nervous (I mean very nervous) about how this would go all by myself. It’s one thing to travel with three kids, but three kids age five and under is an entirely different beast.
I got some really great advice from a lot of you over on The Cottage Mama fan page, so I really appreciate all your great tips and tricks. I made sure I had all of our electronic devices (LeapPad, iPad, iPhone), some treats the kids don’t normally have at home and some board books for the little man. Caspian sat on my lap the whole flight and never tried to get down (thank goodness). I just tried to stay one step ahead of him and what he might need. I knew what trick (or treat) I would be pulling out each time he got a little antsy. And the biggest relief was that no one needed to go potty or needed a diaper change on the plane. Woooohooo!
We had such a lovely trip. We took the kids to the children’s museum, the Houston zoo, Chuck E. Cheese (they had never been before), played outside in the yard, played with bubbles and gardening tools. My mom’s husband, Pepo, is a top-notch golfer. They had little toy golf sets for the kids and he taught them a thing or too when it came to golf.
The Easter bunny came to visit us in Houston. We attended my mom and Pepo’s church and had a fantastic brunch and Easter egg hunt at their Country Club. It had an incredible spread of food and I love to eat, so I was in total heaven. There was every kind of salad you could think of, tons of boiled shrimp, smoked salmon, an omelet station, pancakes, waffles, biscuits and gravy, fruit, pastries, fancy cheeses, all kinds of fruit, pork loin, crab stuffed fish, roasted lamb, sliced beef, broccoli gratin, wild rice, roasted potatoes, cheese grits, roasted vegetables. Oh and the desserts…….red velvet cupcakes, pecan pie, tres-leche cake, coconut cake, chocolate cake and so on. Did I make you hungry? Can you tell I like food? I’m hungry just thinking about it all!
We really just had such a great time. I felt so happy in Texas. Every time I leave my mom, my heart hurts. Do you know what that feels like? It is my dream to live close to her someday. It just seems like life is so short that it saddens me that we don’t get to spend more time together. I don’t know if it will ever happen as life has us drawn us in different directions. But maybe it’s true, absence makes the heart grow fonder? I’m sure that’s true. But I’m sure my heart would be just as fond, if she were right down the street. Who knows? Maybe it will work out someday, but for now I cherish every visit I get to have with her. She is truly the best mom and friend that I could ever imagine.
Lindsay Wilkes is the owner and designer behind The Cottage Mama. She creates timeless, vintage inspired sewing patterns for children’s clothes. She is also a fabric designer for Riley Black Designers / Penny Rose Fabrics, author of the book ‘Sew Classic Clothes for Girls’ and can be seen teaching nationwide and online in her video series ‘Lessons with Lindsay’ sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing and Embroidery machines.
looks like a beautiful time! my goodness your little guy is getting so big…how did that happen so fast?!
I know……I can’t believe it! He is turning into such a kid all of a sudden. He’s at a really fun age right now, so I’m just enjoying every minute because it’s all going by WAY too fast!
They all look so pretty – beautiful dresses!
Thank you so much!
Looks like you all had so much fun on your visit! And you have beautiful children to wear your beautiful clothes.
Awwww, thank you, Veronica……that is very sweet of you to say!
Looks like you had a fabulous time and everyone looks so good. Yep! Now I’m hungry, LOL. xox
Your children are beautiful, and I love the dresses!
My heart hurts every time I have to leave my sister … and every time I visit Colorado and have to leave again. Every. Single. Time. It’s a horrible ache – wrenching! So I know how you feel. Love those dresses and glad you had such a wonderful, wonderful time in TX. I’d move there in 2 seconds if it meant warm weather year round!
What a beautiful family you have! I am glad that you got to spend Easter together with your Mom as a family. I have lived with, and cared for, my elderly mom for the last 10 years. Just a few weeks ago I had to out her into a nursing home. Now I am facing having to move out of state for financial reasons. I am hoping to find a good nursing home in my new state, and that Mom will be willing to transfer there so we can still be close geographically. It is so hard to be always rom our moms. My best advice is to enjoy whatever time you have together, none of us knows what the future will bring, maybe you will live down the street, or maybe not, but you will always have your love for one another no matter where you live.
Thanks for sharing your Easter with us,
Maureen
Hello, I’ve been trying to find the Mallory pattern, but no luck. On the website, there isn’t a pattern any more. Do you have any idea where I can find the pattern??
thanks for your help.
Hi Jackie,
I’m sorry you can’t find it! I got that pattern quite a long time ago, so they may have discontinued it. I would try checking ebay and see if you can find one. Thanks for commenting and have a great day!
Lindsay