This is what “done” looks like.
(Conveniently at an exit with a mall.)
Month: October 2014
Selling hot apple cider for a school fundraiser.
Cousins one month and one inch apart.
Kaitlyn and her “B”
Because our trip was so short, we spent half of the day at Mom’s house and the second half at Dad’s house. After a lazy morning (again), my high school friends came by for a quick visit. We even managed a group picture (now with two more kiddos than the last time we were all together). Just for laughs – here is a picture of the four of us in 2005 (the year I started this blog).
Then it was off to Dad’s for a nap. When Teague woke up, B had a special treat for him. The viper was ready for a drive. Teague got scared that the car would be loud so we got him some ear protection. Then I got in the passenger seat with him while B turned on the car. Teague was not happy with me making him sit there until the car turned on. Then he looked at me and told me he wanted a ride. I got out and they rode up and down the driveway until Harper arrived and wanted to ride too.
Evidently Alex was a little lonely in his room tonight and asked Wade to check on him at some point.
(Wade took this 15 minutes later.)
Chauffeuring his youngest cousin.
Aunt Lissy snuggles.
One of my favorite parts of visiting my Mom’s house is that we don’t rush to do anything. Melissa’s kids were up at 5 something (ouch) so by the time mine were up at 7 there were donuts waiting from Red’s (local to Paducah – yum!). Then everyone stayed in their pajamas quite a bit of the morning and just played in the living room. We did finally get dressed, but only to drive the cars up and down the street.
My sister asked me last spring if I would be interested in helping her plan a surprise 70th birthday party for Mom. I said yes, but my help might be minimal due to the baby. Melissa did most of the work and planned an awesome party! She arranged for one of Mom’s good friends, Carolyn, to take her shopping and “out to lunch” on her birthday (today). After a little shopping, the plan was to run by Carolyn’s daughter-in-law’s house so she could join them for lunch too. Instead Mom found about 40 people on the back patio wishing her a happy birthday. My cousin from DC, Heather, flew in just for the party. Two of Mom’s college roommates made road trips to attend and numerous other people were able to take off work. Most amazing of all is that everyone kept the secret. My Mom was completely shocked (and delighted).
A few funny stories from the day.
1.) Carolyn called to subtly hint that Mom should dress up a little. Mom’s response, “I have on a big comfortable shirt. It’s my birthday and I’m not changing.”
2.) Carolyn took her to TJ Maxx (a normal stop for them) before the party. Then she couldn’t get Mom to leave because she was texting me to see if the boys’ needed new coats. She had found some cute ones in their sizes.
3.) Several of her friends had helped throw her off by delivering birthday presents the day before because they wouldn’t see her on her birthday or discussing celebrating her birthday next week because of conflicts this week.
Kaitlyn, Teague, and I traveled to Paducah yesterday for my Mom’s surprise 70th birthday party (today). I’ll write a separate post with pics of the party. We got in late last night and stayed at my Dad’s house along with my sister and her family. The kids had a great time seeing each other and all the other fun things that happen at B’s house (and later that night Gram’s).
At this point Melissa and I left for my Mom’s surprise party. There were three adults (B, Mary, and Chris) in charge of four kids (Harper, Teague, Mackenzie, and Kaitlyn). We came home to two non-napping 3 year olds and an exhausted baby (from crying most of the time we were gone.) Teague and Harper were having so much fun they couldn’t be bothered with naps – although I hear they were excited to try napping together in the new kid room (two bunk beds, a couch, and a big screen tv). The no nap explains why Teague was asleep before we were even out of B’s driveway. Amazingly Harper and Teague still had energy to burn after we put them to bed at Gram’s. We watched their antics on the video monitor a while before demanding they pick a bed (after switching who was on top) and stay there.
Granny does it again – Pirate Jeans.
Teague had a huge tantrum in the car last night about 20 minutes from Paducah. He lost the privilege of riding in B’s silver car for the morning. He’s taking it pretty well, but he has sat next to the car all morning.
A very typical Kaitlyn smile (and my favorite).
This boy wants his hood up everyday when he leaves the house.
There’s nothing like making a 7 hour road trip and then taking two tired kids to Michael’s to pick up a few last minute supplies for a surprise party.