Jillian's Journal

The day to fly back home is already here! I'm not ready to leave. I wish I didn't live so far away. I've had such a great time and I love Grandma and Grandpa so much!

Tonight before taking my bath, I was reading my favorite book, "Daddy and Me", and saw a picture of a little girl flying. So I got down on the floor and went flying just like her. It was great fun! Mommy, Daddy, and I laughed so hard.

Four generations. Me, Mommy, Grandma, and my Great Grandma!

Went hiking at Hocking Hills State Park. The first stop was at Cantwell Cliffs. My favorite part was the steep steps that lead down between a narrow crevasse between two cliffs. Then we drove to Conkles Hollow, where we had a picnic in the park before we hiked the trail there. It was another amazing hike. On the way home, I fell asleep in the car seat. Good thing I had Elmo to keep me company. All that hiking really took it out of me!

Family Reunion at Aunt Gayle’s home today! It provided the opportunity to visit with Great Grandma, Aunt Lois, Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Joann, Aunt Eloise and most of their families. I really had to turn on the charm to impress this large group.

Happy Birthday Grandma! I’m so happy to be here with you on your birthday. Thanks for taking me to visit my Great Grandma Schwartz and Aunt Lois today.

Grandma and Grandpa took me Geocaching. We ended up at Griggs Reservoir Park. We hiked a little into the woods and found the cache pretty quickly. It was close to a big dam and I had a great time watching the water spill over the dam.

Later in the evening, we went to Aunt Gayle’s to eat supper and celebrate Grandma’s birthday. I played with Michaella and Jakob. They have the greatest backyard! They have a really big swing set with a tall slide. They even have a hammock in their backyard! I sat in the hammock with Michaella and Jakob. We had great fun! Aunt Gayle made a birthday cake for Grandma. We all sang “Happy Birthday” to Grandma, then helped her blow out the candles. That cake sure had a lot of candles!

We’re flying to Ohio today to visit my Mama’s side of my family. Mama and Daddy have always pointed out airplanes when they fly overhead and I always get real excited when I see them. Today I was in an airplane flying through the sky! Once we landed in Columbus, Grandma was waiting for me at the gate, while Grandpa was circling the airport in the car ready to pick us up. It made the security guards nervous, but the curb service was nice! On the way home we stopped at White Castle for those cute little square burgers.

That afternoon, Aunt Gayle, Uncle Matt, and my cousins Michaella and Jakob came over to visit. It was really nice of Jakob to bring over some of his toys for me to play with. He brought over a rocket rider, Elmo, and a push popper. My favorite was the rocket. I picked up my feet and coasted down the driveway. The driveway is pretty long so I was really able to pick up some speed. Wheeeeeee!!!! Would it be corny to say, I had a ‘blast’ riding the rocket?

In spite of all the fun I had so far, the greatest discovery of the day was the underground room they called a ‘basement’! Down at the bottom of the steep stairway were a pool table and a gigantic purple bouncy ball! Grandpa started teaching me how to play pool, so I can become a pool shark! Then Grandma and Aunt Gayle introduced me to gymnastics by bouncing me on the giant purple ball. Jakob is a bouncing pro! I still need a lot of practice.

It was a wonderful day. So many AMAZING new experiences thanks to Grandpa Grandma!

Had a blast at St. Ann's annual carnival. I went for a ride on a merry-go-round (after the first few rounds...I'd had enough), rode a pony, and my personal favorite, ...enjoyed about 10 minutes all to myself in a big inflatable bouncing room!

Happy 6th anniversary Mommy and Daddy! I'll be on my best behaviour today....NOT!!!