Grandparents are spoilers; we all know that. So the fact that Pearl loved her first vacation, it's a no-brainer. Nana taught her to play with a ball. Nana gave her her first doll. And so on! It's a wonder she was willing to come home with us!
We spent a little over a week in the Smoky Mountains and Appalachia. Here are a few "firsts" that she experienced on the trip.
She was able to swim "by herself" thanks to a big blue whale, gift from (who else?) Nana and Papa. Pearl was the envy of every infant and toddler in the pool! The weather was pretty nippy that day, and I kept picking her up every five minutes to make sure her legs weren't turning blue too.
The grandparents took us to hear some local bluegrass at a music festival too. Pearl seemed very serious the entire time we were there. She watched quietly. But as soon as we left the scene, she started singing at the top of her lungs. And she kept up the singing for an hour or more.
She visited her first college campus, Emory and Henry, near Abingdon, Virginia. We walked along the serpentine red-brick sidewalks and visited the bookstore, even talked to a few students. Truth be told, Pearl slept through the whole visit. Is this a sign of things to come? Check back in 17 years.
Who needs college, with budding bluegrass talent like that?
Posted by: shannon | 07 September 2004 at 09:36 PM
my parents are "Nana and Papa" too. Glad you had a good time!
Posted by: Sheryl | 07 September 2004 at 09:48 PM
Welcome home. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip. Your girl is so adorable; I love her serious expression. Wise beyond her years? It's nice to see Nana and Papa are properly spoiling her, too.
Posted by: Toni | 09 September 2004 at 09:33 AM