Grandma is the best.

My mom came into town this past weekend. Everyone who knows Sandy loves her. Growing up, she was always the person to throw the baby or bridal shower. She is always taking someone out for lunch or ice cream who needs a lift. She writes 3289427349827 notes and letters to people every year. She is kind and patient.

I don't know where I came from either.

My mom is also always stylin'! She looks good every single day. I once had a friend tell me, "Your mom is so petite and so beautiful! You two don't look anything alike!!!"

Anyway, my mom is a doer. A DO-er. She makes things happen. Every time she comes, we do SO much. We picked her up from the airport Saturday afternoon, and an hour later, Dan and I left on a date.

This photo is exceptionally blurry, even for me, but we were trying to hurry because the lady in the middle was really anxious that we were taking it. Haha.

Dan's birthday is this month, and one of his requests was Thai food. So we went for Thai food and then went to see that new superhero movie everyone is excited about except me.

We met up with another couple, and I 99% kept my promise to keep my comments to myself during the movie. I say 99% because I did cast a couple of eyerolls Dan's way, but I don't really count that.

My pregnant body is not really up for movies or anything these days. At the halfway point of the 46-hour movie, I had already gone to the bathroom FOUR times. My restless legs had such bad spasms that I had to keep stretching them out. I was embarrassed. Finally, Dan told me he would catch a ride with the other couple and that I should go home. And I did.

I'm glad he stays with me even though I'm not very fun.

Sunday was Mother's Day, and we had a great time at church. My Relief Society always throws a part for the sisters, and it was great having my mom with me.

Dan made a ham and mashed potatoes and parmesan rolls. Delish. My mom and I started the BBC 2008 mini-series of Sense and Sensibility, something we watched a bit of every night until my restless legs would take over and I would have to take a hot shower and go to bed.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, we ran errands like CRAZY. Speaking of super powers, I get more done with her around that I ever could alone in an entire month. With her help and childcare help, I got through 3 doc appointments, 4 haircuts, a dance class, a huge grocery trip, a library visit, a fun trip to McDonald's, etc. She read about a million books with the kids, took them on hours-long walks (when it wasn't raining--it rained a ton), played on the trampoline and in the sandbox, colored, helped Gwen with her letters and numbers and did "this little piggy" with Harris until she had finally won him over. He's my little clingy boy. Gwen and Grandma are especially close, and Gwen has cried MULTIPLE times since Grandma's departure. I want to cry often too. How am I supposed to be the mother of these kids all by myself?!?!?

This is from a doc appointment with Harris. The only appointment for him I've ever taken him to alone! The doc and I actually discussed my concerns instead of my yelling at everyone to get out of the doctor's swivel chair and all that. It was amazing.

The kids all got their hair cut, and I was able to make a trip to my fancy salon for a much needed color and cut. June and Gwen haven't had haircuts since LAST June. Besides the amazing haircuts they have given themselves, of course. Ay yai yai.

June asked the stylist every question that has ever popped into her mind about anything at all. And the stylist was so nice and answered every question and even took the time after the cut to put her hair into an Elsa braid. People are good.

Except me on Mondays. And sometimes Thursdays.

Here's Harris getting the chop:

Gwen, post-cut:

Best buddies. I have asked Gwen why she misses Grandma so much. Her answer: "She takes really good care of me." My reply--"Better than me?"

"WAY better than you, Mom."

One of their many outdoor excursions:

Grandma won't be here for Gwen's dance recital, so the teacher let her into the studio to see a preview of the dance while the rest of us waited in the waiting room.

McDonald's, where the kids ran around and pigged out. My two favorite things.

Harris's first time being able to really play at the play place. He hardly ate a nugget because he was having too much fun.

In short (or maybe this is long), I hope I'm the kind of grandma my mom is. Really, I need to adopt some of her ways right this very minute.

And June seemed to be full of amazingly crazy things to say the past week, which I will record now.

When I took June and her friend to see the play Charlotte's Web, we made a pit stop at the bathroom. June shouted to everyone in the very busy public restroom, "REMEMBER, DON'T LET ANYONE TOUCH YOUR PRIVATES!" I was actually really glad she shouted that! That's a good message, and I'm glad she is hearing what I'm saying sometimes.

Every night my mom was here, we would watch a little more of Sense and Sensibility. Until like 8 pm, when this prego girl has to go to bed. When I took June to her doc appointment Wednesday morning, the doctor asked her if she was getting enough sleep at night. She told the doctor that sometimes things in the house would wake her up. The doc said, "Oh like your siblings?" And June said, "Actually, mom and grandma like to stay up really late at night and watch really loud movies."

Thanks, June!

And on Grandma's way out the door to catch her Lyft ride to the airport, I yelled out, "We love you! Stay safe!" June asked me why I said that, and I told her we always want the people we love to be safe. So then June yelled out AT the Lyft driver, pointing, "YOU BETTER NOT HURT MY GRANDMA!!"

The End.