I don't think I've discussed it here, but my mom went to Costa Rica on December 13th and didn't come back until day before yesterday. SHEESH I missed her. And the girls have relished - truly relished - having her here. They want HER to put the banana on their plates in the morning. They want HER to read to them. They want HER to play blocks with them. And you know? I'm more than happy to offer her up to complete those tasks. I've thoroughly enjoyed having her here to lighten my load a little. More importantly, though, I've enjoyed having her here to visit with me! Nanni came as regularly scheduled on Wednesday afternoon, so Mom and I got to go out for lunch at our hands-down-favorite Middle Eastern restaurant in Portland (Nicholas) and clothes shopping all by ourselves. What a treat! She's going home tomorrow morning, but I'm grateful that she was here for a few days and that she'll once again be several hours away instead of somewhere down on a mountain top in Central America. I love Costa Rica and am thrilled that she's also fallen in love with the place, but if I'm here, I'd like her here, too. I'm just sayin'. Welcome home, Mom!