"What I Did During My Summer Vacation. . ."

I don't know exactly how many years in elementary school I had to write a response to this question come August or September--but it was more than once. I think most of us in school came to expect the question--a bit like you expect pop quizzes or expect Show 'n Tell to be a part of the school routine. I have no idea if teachers nowadays still ask their students to write a paragraph answering this question, but I'm bringing it back on my own!

I feel like my summer started gradually, rolling into June, then it accelerated, speeding through July and now into August. I suppose July went by so quickly because we had a few fun trips planned.

After the 4th of July, the girls and I flew up to Omaha to visit Grammy. It was Carly's third time to fly and Hannah's first--making it my first time to fly solo with both of them. I knew Carly would probably do well, since she was older and was easily occupied with stickers or activity books. But, Hannah sitting in my lap for 1 hour and 30 minutes. . . (and that's without any flight hiccups or issues!). . . I was a tad bit apprehensive about it.

We had an early morning flight and boarded with no problems. (Getting through security was entertaining to watch, I'm sure. As I piled MULTIPLE bins with our belongings, shoes, stuffed animals (those would be Carly's), collapsed a stroller, coaxed a toddler through the line as I carried another. . . I'm grateful that all of the other travelers around us were patient and not in too big of a hurry.)

The flight itself was fine. Carly did great, and Hannah did well, for the most part. Let's just say I'm glad the flight wasn't 30 minutes longer. A tired 15-month-old doesn't want to be sitting on someone's lap in an airplane for 1 1/2 hours--and I don't blame her!

Visiting Grammy was wonderful, as it always is. Going back home is like a retreat for me--being back in the house I grew up in, eating at the kitchen table, seeing the neighborhood, sitting on my mom's deck looking out at her garden. . .sometimes, it's almost like I've never left.

Carly had a grand time! My mom got out her old doll house for Carly to play with and set up. I remember playing with this when I was younger, so it was fun to see all the little pieces of furniture again.

I rummaged in my bedroom closet and found my old Strawberry Shortcake dolls and strawberry bakery set. Creative Grammy made new clothes for the dolls with some fabric swaches she had on hand.

Hannah was occupied with all the new things in Grammy's kitchen, hallways, bathrooms, and basement to explore. She was a happy traveler whether we were in the car driving somewhere or staying at home.

One morning, we visited the zoo, where I worked for 3 summers during high school. I am clearly biased having grown up in Omaha and having worked there, but I do think Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is one of the BEST zoos in the country. Hands down. They have an indoor rain forest, a butterly pavilion (so fun to walk through and have the butterflies flitting here and there), a desert pavilion (with a basement featuring Kingdoms of the Night--showing animals who are mainly active when the sun goes down), polar bears, an amazing aquarium where the sharks and fish swim over you. . . and that's only a portion of the displays! The weather was perfect--a bit overcast and cool, so great for walking around.

I love how close you can get to the animals!

Bear Canyon is one of my favorite places to stop at the zoo. They have a huge polar bear tank, where you can stand and watch the bears swim. I am always in awe of the grizzly bear. . .

At the aquarium. . .

Chasing after a fish. . .

Hannah loved watching the sharks and fish swim above her.

Gazing at the fish overhead. . .

Carly in one of the caves at the desert pavilion.

She liked going into these mini caves and taking pictures.

Peacocks walk around the zoo, as if they are one of the visitors. . . what a beautiful display

In front of the butterfly pavilion

Near the giraffes. . .

Another favorite activity at Grammy's has become watering the flowers--Carly did this two years ago when she was 1 1/2.

And, this visit, the watering can wasn't quite the challenge to carry.

Who knew that picking up sticks in the yard could be so enjoyable? Carly helped Grammy with this chore one night and you would have thought she was hunting for Easter eggs.

Of course, a visit back home wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Dairy Delight (which has changed names a few times--but because I'm rather resistant to change, I refuse to call it by its new name--it will always be Dairy Delight). It's like Dairy Queen, and they have astroblends (which have also changed names to something like a "polar freeze"--but again, I refuse to acknowledge it). Astroblends are like blizzards, essentially. So, combine that yummy treat with a nice, scenic drive through the country to get there. Perfect way to end the day.

During our time away, we also had the chance to see some extended family, I was able to have coffee one morning with a dear friend, we had our all-time favorite pizza, we visited the Farmer's Market one Saturday. . . Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to leaving. The days that we were there felt more like a few hours, they went by so quickly.

Thanks, Grammy, for making our summer vacation wonderful!