A Visit from Dad/Papa

Last week my dad came to visit us for a couple of days. It was his first visit to see us in Jacksonville, so I was excited to show him our new place and Ellie was just excited to see her Papa. He arrived on Tuesday afternoon, just as Ellie and I were getting back from her doctor's appointment. Perfect timing!

We didn't do a whole lot on Tuesday. We gave him the grand tour of our apartment, of course, and then he and I chatted while Ellie napped. When she woke up, we took him on our usual afternoon walk to visit the neighborhood cat and see the turtles in the lake.

Happy girl in her Papa's arms

Kisses from Papa

Checking out some lake wildlife! We have these critters that I'm told are called nutrias, but I call them lake rats, and some crazies across the lake feed them from their hand so now they come right up to you. Keep your distance, lake rat. No food for you! 

Eric left work early that night so we could all have dinner together, and that was pretty much our Tuesday excitement.

On Wednesday, however, Ellie and I decided my dad needed to see more of the city. We drove him out to Eric's school so he could see that, then we went downtown to walk along the riverfront and around The Landing for a bit. It was a lovely morning, and we had a very pleasant walk. We even saw dolphins in the river!

Downtown with my Dad

Ellie and her Papa checking out the river

Dolphin sighting! One of many.

Ellie watching the birds

Giant sundial

Hanging out riverside

We also spent a good amount of time in a toy shop, which Ellie loved. Then we made our way back home for lunch and another nap for Ellie.

When Ellie woke up, she was asking for Papa, just as she had been when she woke up from her nap the previous day and again that morning. She loves her Papa!

"Papa? Where'd Papa go? Paaaaaapaaaaa! Where are you?"

VIDEO: Ellie asking for Papa

My dad left shortly after Ellie woke up, so we said our goodbyes and I took Ellie to visit the neighborhood cat to distract her from Papa's absence. She asked for him a bit more as the night went on, but I assured her we'll see him again soon.

Thanks for coming to visit, Dad!