On Friday, the 27th, we had the 5 Bettencourt boys over to our neck of the woods. They came by and we all went to ride the trolley stopping for shakes at the Arcade Restaurant in the middle. Yummy! Unfortunately, the youngest of the boys, the 19 month old twins were less than impressed with the lask of mobility permitted and thus did a lot of what babies do best to let eveyone else know it. Even so, the big kids had lots of fun. Charlotte just loved being with her friend, Christopher (the third of the boys) and didn't even realize that anyone in her company was upset or stressed. Hope to play again soon, maybe at a park where running around is welcomed.
Saturday, May 28th, was one of those days when there is just too much going on. The girls and I walked to the park in the heat. Of course, Madi has to go to the bathroom as soon as we get there. Sadly, she is out of luck in the public restroom department. Then more sadness strikes as Kevin phones to report a house showing to occur at 3pm (currently 1140). This should not evoke sadness, but after you've prepared and shown your house as much as we have in the past 2 years, that's what you get in the realm of feelings. Also, in the plan today was good naps for both the girls because we had plans to go to the Sunset Symphony at Tom lee Park for hte closing of Memphis in May that night. And out the door flies those naps. So the girls play briefly, and then we venture home. Over lunch, I talk the girls about needing good behavior (what a common term discussed in our home) so that Daddy and I can clean the house. The new plan is to eat and then have quiet movie time in Mommy and Daddy's bed. They were great with this. Charlotte fell asleep within 15 minutes and thus got in the previously hoped for good nap, and Madi, while she did not sleep, was very well behaved. 3 hours of cleaning later, the girls went walking with Daddy and Grizzly and I showed our house to a medical school student and his purchasing-him-a-house parents. Haven't seem or heard from them since.
Next it was off to the Sunset Symphony. One of our neighbors works for AutoZone and gave us free tickets and to the VIP AutoZone tent with chairs, and tables, food and drinks all night. The girls good behavior stuck around (there really wasn't tons for little ones to do) as they chatted with our friends, Miriam and Johnny, and danced. Madi, the non napped kid, faded around 9 and began the plea, "I wanna doe," but luckily accepted the comfort of a parents' lap while we waited for the fireworks, which the girls did love (even though they started at 10pm!). It was a late night, but lots of fun.
Memorial Day, brought a make up day of work for Kevin and pool fun at the Windsor for the rest of us. Kevin did meet us there later and I got low census at work that night so we all had a good day. The girls loved swimming with Nora, even if Xander wasn't really feeling swimming that day. It is always fun just to sit around with good friends.
Tuesday, May 31st, was our little friend, Noah's, 5th birthday. Even though he's having a party on the 18th of June, we decided to celebrate with him at the location of his choice...Incredible Pizza! Of course, I had coupons and discounts handy. One of the best discounts available is that if a child wears a superhero costume, they get $10 added to their game card...enter our Halloween costumes from two Halloweens ago and some shorts! The girls and Ian and Noah all had a great time during our 3 or 4 hours of playing and eating. Happy Birthday, Noah!
Wednesday we got to see our friend, Stacy with sweet baby, Harris. We met them up at St. Jude just to walk around and visit and it was so good just to see them. We all miss them lots in Memphis.
Thursday, the girls and I packed up our lunch and swimsuits and headed over to Sarah's mom's home in Bartlett for swimming. We met Sarah, Max and Myles, and Macy, Avery, Parker, and Carter and had a blast. Sarah's parents are so nice to let us come utilize their beautiful backyard always. It always reminds me that even though we don't have our families right here, we are so blessed to welcomed by others.
Of course, time flew by and I almost didn't realize the time when it was 1:47 and my kids are still swimming in a pool in Bartlett and I gotta get them to another friend's for sitting, change, and be at work downtown at 3! With luck and cooperative kids, I made it and swiped in at 3:01!
Friday, June 3rd, we were so lucky to get to go see Michael Buble in concert at the FedEx Forum. It was so great! It was amazing to see the wide range ages of people in attendance, and in a way just nice that the young to the old could find a commonality. Even during some of Micheal's songs, I found myself thinking about my grandparents and their generation how they might dance to this. The opening act was even fantastic and received a standing ovation. They were an accapella group called Naturally 7 would partake in vocal play, in which, as they described, "we become the instrument". Seriously, if you heard their music you would swear there was a ful band behind them. Totally amazing! They would totally rock in a TV talent competition. I wanna get their CD, as they are so talented and a real conversation piece. Micheal was phenomenal! I wondered how this concert would be as he is like a ballad singer (even though wonderful) and all. Micheal delivered a totally entertaining show that blew me away. I was really "LMAO"! (to use text jargin for this generation). He's hysterical and I loved it so much!
In closing, today's June 4th and while we did not leave for PA as was the plan a while back :( we did pass the time with fun. The girls and I attended Home Depot's Kids Workshop to build a valet organizer. The girls really enjoyed this, using hammer and nails and their beloved glue (you know Madi, the messier the better) to build something. Really fun and free - we'll be spreading the word for sure :) Next it was to Costco, for some needed items and a bite to eat and then the real fun of swimming at Nana and Pop's, aka Sarah's parents, aka Max and Myles grandparents. We swam in the 90 deg water from 2pm - 6pm, and Madi feel asleep on the way home at 630pm and remains that same way right now :)
