A Healthy Weekend

We've finally replaced sickness with FUN.  Hooray!

Time with friends

Time with family

I even made a big Easter Dinner.  Ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, corn, and cranberry.

Took me all of 15 minutes.  It takes long than you might think to open all of those containers and get everything in & out of the microwave.

It's good to be back.

Big Gift

We had friends over for dinner this week.


That's big.


We had friends over for dinner this week!

These are good friends who live nearby, but they hadn't even met G yet. 

It's enough of a challenge for me to work, fill (somewhat) my son's emotional needs, get my house (kind of) clean, and accomplish all of the other bare necessities each day.  Socializing doesn't own a time slot.  And inviting someone to dinner is WAY outside my reality.

So how did this happen?

My coworker Diane - for no reason - cooked me a lasagna.  A full lasagna!  Just brought it to work and told me dinner was ready.  I called my friends, and they came over.  Voila!

So, not only did Diane feed my family (today & probably twice more from the leftovers), but she also gave me a party - a reunion with dear friends.  For no particular reason.

Diane is probably more busy than I am.  She also works full time.  Volunteers extensively with two organizations and her church.  Is married.  Has 4 (grown) children.  Has plenty of her own friends.  But chose to bless me.

I'd like to be that nice some day.

Today, I'm just glad Diane is that nice.

Friends!

Prepare for a major photo dump.

Our friends flew in to see us!  My girlfriend took a flight - not a nonstop - with her two small children, car seats & luggage - alone through the airports & car rental.  So impressive. 

Thank goodness she had a good stroller!

Swimming

Drumming

Playing

Oh - and tormenting a small fluffy dog. 

Just the usual - running up to it with enthusiasm, then screaming in terror.

A lovely walk.

Until I BROKE OFF THE HANDLE OF THEIR STROLLER!

Yes - their stroller that allowed my friend to navigate the airport.

Little R was NOT happy about the situation.

Thankfully, my friend was a good sport.

And we still had fun at the fountain.

All in all - a great visit with fends (friends)!

Vacation: Part 2

WARNING: This post includes 10,000,000 photos. 

It was impossible for me to cut out any more cuteness than I did.

So - finally - Part 2!  I wasn't sure if my friends would want photos of their children on here.  One did; one preferred not.  So, while I am about to swamp you with cuteness, just know that -in person- the cute factor was even more extreme than this!

On Saturday our family was able to meet up with two other families.  Each had adopted one of G's friends from Haiti.  These were children who G lived with for the first years of his life.  It was AWESOME and AMAZING to be part of their reunion.

G goes to day care most days.  He sees the same other children every day.  He plays next to where they're playing.  Sometimes they interact.

Not so with the friends we saw on Saturday.  G had an absolute blast.  He was so happy to see his buddy.  And played with him wildly.  My favorite part of the weekend was watching this game:

1. Run to a good spot.

2.  Hug each other really hard.

3.  Spin around while hugging.

4.  Fall to the ground.

5.  Continue hugging while rolling around.

6.  Get up & repeat.

I did warn you about the serious cuteness, didn't I?

We went to a Childrens Museum together.  And, if you're counting - yes - that does mean we hit two Childrens Museums within two days.

There was a show.  Different dancing styles through the decades.  I rocked out the 80's, of course.  Both boys enjoyed watching the show.

But only one boy knew his way around the dance floor.  Wish you could've seen his moves!

G may not dance, but he knew how to look cool on a motorcycle.

We were treated to a merry-go-round ride.

I couldn't decide about posting M's photo with his mom

or with his sister.

Both were too cute - eh?

There was hiding

and flying

and driving.

Big brother P was a delight!  He told us all about puffer fish.  And he even shared his cotton candy.

Back at the house there was jumping

and running outside

and running inside.

It was a wild wild day.  Tons of fun. 

We're so grateful we had the opportunity to get together again - in the USA!