Running late.
Meat package leaked all over fridge shelf.
Running later.
Baby spits up minutes after being dressed.
Running even later.
Car needs gas.
On my way, finally.
Tea is now lukewarm…
And so goes life these days. It’s a busy season of life and even busier when Mike has work obligations. My magazine app is wondering where I am, I haven’t read a book in ages and our house has seen cleaner/tidier days. Yet we are all fed, clothed, sheltered and loved so for now it is what it is.
These past few months, as life has gotten fuller, I find myself missing my Grandma more acutely. I sometimes feel quite unmoored realizing she’s no longer a phone call away. She was the best listener and always had sage advice to share. She frequently said it was her white hair that gave her such wisdom. Somehow, despite the fact that her children were born decades before mine, her parenting advice and anecdotes felt current and relatable. I miss her terribly.
While Grandma is up in Heaven enjoying the company of friends and loved ones whom she spent years missing, down here on the ground we’ve been enjoying fun autumn activities. It’s a bit weird saying ‘autumn’ since Mother Nature hasn’t gotten the temperature memo yet, but pumpkin everything has assured me it is indeed the season we’re in.
The kids and I have had several fun weekend outings recently. It’s been pretty seamless adding Hannah to our weekend adventures. I’ve mastered getting out and about with both of them without it being a major production.
The biggest adjustment has been trying to get anything done around the house because there is zero downtime during the day – which with our little ones is from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sometimes the kids’ naps overlap in the afternoon, but often they don’t. It’s not for lack of trying! When it was just L.J., I knew I could count on a 2 hour break in the afternoon. Not really the case right now.
“Grape Vegetable”
We attended the Atlanta Greek Festival with Sarah, Katie and Katie’s son Alaster. We rode a school bus shuttle from the parking lot to the event, which the boys thought was the absolute coolest thing ever. The three adults spent the ride observing that buses are much more claustrophobic as an adult passenger and marveling that this bus was not only clean, it also smelled nice and had air conditioning.
(L.J. sang “Wheels on the Bus” the whole bus ride.)
We wisely arrived early to the festival and were rewarded with a lack of crowds and plenty of food options. We took the boys on their first amusement park ride, which was only marginally second on their list of absolute coolest thing ever. I confirmed that (most) amusement park rides are a thing of my past, as I narrowly avoided getting nauseous/dizzy on a ride that went in a wide circle at turtle speed.
(Also, please don’t be jealous of my amazing glasses + no makeup combo. Only I am awesome enough to randomly get pinkeye not from my children.)
Afterwards, we enjoyed a delicious lunch of Greek food and walked around for a bit. L.J. was eager to try one of the bounce houses and I was so proud of him for successfully navigating the “climbing wall” inside to get to the slide! It was a bit too big for him, but he was persistent and after a few tries he made it up to the top. Way to go, buddy!
Oh – and L.J. can’t quite make out “Greek Festival” so this event is forever labeled “the Grape Vegetable.”
Gameday Mountaineer Style
The kids attended their first-ever college football game! Georgia State recently played Appalachian State in Boone, NC. It was convenient to stay in Greenville and we enjoyed visiting my brother, who also came with us to attend the game and lend a hand with the kids.
It was a beautiful early fall day and the tame environment was the perfect speed. (It will be several more years before we’re ready to attempt gameday in Athens!) L.J. liked seeing Daddy on the field and Hannah was fascinated with the band. After the initial novelty wore off, they quickly lost interest. We made it to halftime, so I consider than an accomplishment.
Afterward, while waiting on Mike, we decided to make it the quintessential college Saturday by taking a trip to WalMart. Just kidding – that was not part of the plan, but neither was forgetting extra bottles for Hannah. Whoops!
All in all, it was a fun change of pace and I enjoyed visiting somewhere I’d never been before. Everyone agreed that the best part of the trip was the delicious restaurant we stopped at on the way home! A quick Google search turned up the White Duck Taco Shop at the edge of Asheville. A review described it as “hipster tacos,” which was hilariously accurate. We wanted to try everything on the menu and thoroughly enjoyed our selections! The environment – order at the counter and eat at picnic tables – was ideal. Quick, easy and thanks to the dog-friendly environment, mess free!
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