I just got back from visiting Val, Josh, and Alex (nephew) in Maryland. It was such a great getaway to be with them. Alex is almost 6 and is at a very entertaining age. We had great times: Went to a play, a movie, and my favorite restaurant there: Mandalay (Burmese food). We played the Wii, made a gingerbread house, and went on a trolley ride see Christmas lights.
One of my favorite things I did was visit Alex's kindergarten class a couple days to do observations for my own schooling. Alex got so excited when he saw me there that he let out an audible gasp and gave me the biggest, most excited smile I've seen. That made me happy. :) The rest of the day in his class I was trying to avoid being within eyesight so he wouldn't be distracted, but let's be honest... it never lasted too long. He knew I was there. While they were on the carpet for instruction, Alex would start out at one side. I'd go to the back side far behind him, and he would inch over and back until he eventually ended up right by me. I'd move and he would pull the same stunt again. I'd give him my VERY STERN looks and remind him to listen to his teacher as I motioned him her way. I felt a little bad about being a distraction for him at those moments, but of course inside I was loving that he wanted to be by me! :) We walked to the school library and though he's not usually very affectionate he insisted that I hold his hand the whole way there and back, which I didn't mind at all. I just love him!
Now that I'm home I realize I already miss them. Maybe I shouldn't visit... I don't realize what I'm missing that way. :) If only they lived closer so I could see them more than two or three times a year. Here are two of the very few pictures I remembered to take.
Apparently we were supposed to make "silly faces"... Val and I didn't get the memo until a disappointed Alex told us right after. 
