Family

Mom and dad are back from Hawaii and Svea is back from Denmark (or Mark's house, as Van calls it).

 It is the best week ever! I missed having my family in town and so did Van.

[Mom and Dad in Hawaii]

[Svea with kids at a park in Denmark]

We went to visit Svea and although everyone was sleepy from the time change when Finn woke up and they started to play together it was so cute. Evenetually it was our bedtime and we had to go home. Finn and Solvej gave Van kisses good bye at the door and as we pulled away Van said, "that was fun at Finn's house!" and "I miss Finn. Can we go to Finn's house?"

Another day we headed to mom and dad's house. Van had taken a remote control monster truck from their house before the vacation and he grabbed it as we ran out and door and said,
"We have to bring this! grandma and grandpa will be sad"
"why will they be sad?" I asked
"'cause they miss it" said Van.
I was proud of him for being so considerate.

Van colored with papa, and papa wrote "VAN" in large letters on the page.
"What does this say?" Papa asked.
Van traced his finger along the letters and said, "It says, 'I love you papa'"
"No, no" papa tried to say, "It says 'Van'"
"No" Van insisted. "It says, 'I love you papa'"

When we went to leave papa said, "See you later Alligator"
Van thought this was great, as he drove away he laughed and said, 'Papa said alligator. He said, 'Bye-bye alligator''

I sincerely hope Van starts using that as a send off.