Pops and Paula Come to Baltimore

After many, many years of early mornings, long holiday hours, customer complaints, and hard work, Pops changed his reply email message at the end of August to say one simple word, "retired".  And he hasn't missed being a store manager at Sears one bit.  Good for you, Pops! 

We took advantage of Pops' new found freedom by having him and Paula "down" to Baltimore.  I had grand plans of going to the zoo or the aquarium, neither panned out.  After naps (after 1 hour of trying, I gave up on Evie) on Thursday, we met Pops and Paula at the Inner Harbor.  Evie and Braylen sucked their thumbs on the way into the city amazed by the big buildings and traffic.

We looked at the boats from the stroller and then got on the dragon boats!  She didn't say much, but she walked up to the boats and requested the dragon boat over the little paddle boat.

My reaction to wearing those nasty
life vests worn by thousands of people as well

Paula and Braylen waved to us from the dock.  Can you
locate Evie?

Could that be a smile??

Evie lasted 15 minutes of our 30 minutes of allotted time on the boat.  Pops and I were hot and sweaty from paddling that purple monster in the 85 degree heat, so we were ok returning to the dock.

That wheel is quite a bit larger than the plastic one on her
play gym out back

I gave my camera to someone in Baltimore City AND it got
returned to me.  There is hope.

Pops was way more concerned than me about Evie jumping
into the harbor.  He kept her an arms reach away

Evie started to warm up after our boat ride, but really became animated when we walked over Light Street on the Skywalk.  She ran back and forth calling out trucks, buses, and motorcycles.

 Daddy met up with us after work for dinner.  It's October and we are sitting outside like it is the middle of the summer!

 After dinner Evie and Paula played around the harbor and Braylen did some walking.

A successful afternoon and evening at the Inner Harbor, especially with no nap from Evie.

On Friday and Saturday, Pops and Paula came to our house to be with the kids.  They gave me 2 hours of free babysitting (I got my flu shot and walked around Target for an hour drinking my Pumpkin Spice Latte) and house sat Friday night while Jason and I went out for a drink in Ellicott City.  Is this what it is like to live near grandparents??!!  Parents that have grandparents close don't know how good they have it! 

Evie is still talking about "Pops, Boats!".  It was a fun visit and maybe we'll make it to the aquarium or the zoo next time.