Interior design and a fun visit

We've had an amazingly full week given that my parents are away and therefore we're without their daily company. We're compensating by working on reorganizing and decorating some rooms in their house while they're away- it's the kind of thing that John really enjoys and I like being his assistant. Plus, this kind of task is good for language practice because shopping for various bits and bobs really expands our vocabulary. Also, we meet lots of really nice people- like this guy that sold me some plants the other day- he was so kind and blessed us a couple of times.

In honor of my dad- here's a video of a game he and Sam started playing this last week.


I'm particularly enjoying our interior design week because it means that we are sleeping over at my parents house. That makes things feel special and like I'm on vacation. Sam is doing well sleeping in the pack n' play there and their shower and bed are hotel quality :-) The other amazing part of it for me is that I'm finding loads of sentimental things that I grew up with, or made, or that help me know my parents better. I found a photo album that my grandmother made for my father in 1984. It has amazing pictures from my dad's childhood including some great baby pictures. It has been so fun to see what my dad looked like at Sam's age. There's one picture in particular that amuses me. My dad is 9 months-old and his face has three or four bruises- I fear that will be Sam- he already has at least one most of the time from falling while crawling or trying to stand.

This is a picture of Sam and I relaxing before bed at my parents while John worked around us- relax might be a strong word- mostly Sam was just trying to climb Mt. Mom or off the side of the chair.



The other highlight of the week was that our teacher and friend, Amal, invited us to her house to break fast. It was so nice to see where she lives, meet her husband, and have a delicious meal together over stimulating French conversation :-) Sam played nicely on the floor for the most part too and that made everything easier for us too.





Here's one more video of Sam- not super exciting but I've had extra videos requested by my parents while they're away. This is Sam in the morning- I came in to find him standing up like this, and just days after we set the crib to it's deepest level. I'm glad we did- I've heard a few stories recently of baby's climbing out of their cribs- hopefully this will keep him for awhile :-) p.s. (note the aforementionned bruise on his forehead)