We are home

We just got home and I thought I would put up a few pictures.  They show the fun time we had with Gracie on Monday and then a couple pictures from today- without her huge eye bandage!

She is doing so well.  We came home to a house decorated for a party.  Gracie's sisters and grandma had got a whole bunch of balloons and flowers.  It was pretty cool.  Her oldest sister was at school but her sister two years older than her was so excited to see her.  Pretty soon things were back to normal and I heard them arguing a bit.  Gracie started to cry and her sister said, "Girls with fake eyes are not allowed to cry!"

I laughed to myself and thought that, while it would be convenient at times, there are no such rules for Gracie.  Her sisters will be so protective of Gracie but they will probably be a little mean sometimes too.  

This is Gracie at the butterfly gardens Monday morning.  She loved watching the butterflies.  She was not to keen on them landing on her but loved to walk through the gardens and see them.
This is at the entrance to the gardens.  It is a huge caterpillar.
This is at the museum overlooking the dinosaur exhibit.  Gracie liked the minerals and rocks part of the museum best (there were necklaces and tiaras there).
Gracie right after she came in from playing basketball with me on Monday afternoon
She is so silly!
She still has her smile.
This is right after the bandage was removed.  The right eye is stitches shut for now.  Taking off the bandage was the worst part for Gracie.  She hates taking stickers, bandages or anything off her skin.  It really was not a difficult process (except holding her still for 15 seconds) and probably caused little pain but she was traumatized for a few minutes afterwards.
This is Gracie at home after running around with her sisters and seeing her grandma again!

We are so grateful to be home and thankful for such good family.  Stephanie's mom graciously stayed with the other kids and watched them (and our home and the dog).  Everyone had a fun time with her but we know we took her away from her husband, her home and her job for another week.  It is so so good of her to take care of us so well!  There were many others that offered to help too.  We are grateful for the many who really do love Gracie!