Day 15 - Green Light, Yellow Light...Red Light

Funny to hear what kids will say sometimes when asked what yellow means on the traffic light, perhaps a reflection of what they see their parents doing while driving rather than the true intention of the colored lights.  Sometimes it's ok to speed up and get through it, but most of the time it really is better to slow down and take in what's going on around you.

The words of the Early Intervention teacher from our first IFSP still ring in my ears, "Your daughter is delayed."  Not a surprise, with her extra chromosome it's to be expected, but it stung.  Is delay a bad thing?  Sometimes it's an inconvenience, but looking from the glass 1/2 full perspective, it means your event will happen, just not in the time you expected or planned. 

These delays, this business of slowing down, has been good for our family.  Watching and working with Eisley to meet each goal set before her has been amazing.  Each milestone becomes a victory in the game of life.  It seems we are now able to more fully appreciate the blessings God has bestowed upon us.  Rather than having a little one who's childhood flashes before our very eyes, we get to sink in and enjoy it one little baby step at a time.

In the spirit of slowing down, relaxing and appreciating all around us, we set off for a mini vacation to "mini-soda" and the Mall of America.  Instead of having every minute planned and running, we had some time to enjoy each other. 
  

Time to swim... 

 

and play in the pool.  We hit up the toy store for nerf water guns and usually had the pool all to ourselves. 

 

Always time for being cute and wearing flowered jeans! 



Time for kisses - or teething! 



And lots of play time!  Lexi was scared of the carousel at first and only sat on the bench, but before day was out she had tried out most of the animals.



 Brain surge ride - They got in some boy time going on the bigger rides.  I was surprised that Tristan was doing some of them, but he had fun.



Time for yummy food.  Not only part of his nick name, but they have signs you flip over to stop the waitress for more drink etc - shy boy Tristan doesn't have to use his words or rely on his sister to get more Sprite.

 

The ferris wheel - Mom rode as a chaperon (under protest), Lexi couldn't see outside the basket, so she was up on her knees peering out and waving to Daddy down below.

Hoping he can gather some mind bending skills and control his sisters!

Hanging at the lunch counter, waiting for our cheeseburgers and shakes - yummy!

Lots of snuggle time too!

Strolling through the aquarium

The little ones had a good time watching all the fish - Eisley even had her fishy kisses going on!

Touching the starfish

Another family meal out with fun watching all the animals.  Fish tanks with a huge eel right next to our table.  Python that moved hanging from the ceiling and crocodile that crept out in the lobby - Lexi wouldn't let go of Daddy!  She loved the gorillas that came out to dance in the dining room and kept yelling at them to wake up when the show was over.

We had a few moments of hitting the gas through the yellow light.  Like heading back to the mall with Keira shortly before close in search of cinnamon rolls.  Thought we missed them, so we stopped for Starbucks (Keira found out they make pretty good hot chocolate and not too hot to drink!).  We ended up finding Cinnabon and I enjoyed walking through the mall sipping coffee with my big girl.  Oh the shopping trips yet to come!