Trains, and Flowers, and Bottomless Rootbeer Floats

I have to confess, the day before Mother's Day, I wasn't FEELING IT. Some combination of PMS and tired had rendered me desiring SILENCE AND ALONE TIME on "My Special Day". My husband offered, and I considered it. But the morning came and my tiny (and not so tiny) humans all piled into my bed and there were kisses and hugs and how could I spend my day alone, when they were the reason for my day?

We went to one of our favorite places, the Vines Gardens which includes a Garden Railroad that's open from May to October and my kids can stop for hours and look at the trains, if you let them. After we'd had the ice cream they were giving away, and enjoyed some cups of lemonade, we made our way through the botanical gardens, wandering the path together - much like we do every day though life.

It was warm and sunny and a beautiful day around the lake.

There will be Mother's Days in the future when they aren't home, when they don't WANT to be home, when walking around a lake and then going to Red Robin for more Rootbeer Floats than you can shake a stick at won't even be appealing.

I feel like the days are slipping away from me and even the time I spend sitting here woolgathering is lost time, moments I am wasting. I should be playing Candyland. Candyland's days are numbered.

But I also know that I need to give my brain a break and rest, and be a little selfish so I can give them all of me when they need me most.

So I won't feel too bad as I spend an hour listening to them play and giggle in the other room. 

My special day was the best day ever, made possible by the presence of the five people I love most in the whole word who aren't my Mom.

Because after all, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be half the mom I am today. 

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Trains, and Flowers, and Bottomless Rootbeer Floats

I have to confess, the day before Mother's Day, I wasn't FEELING IT. Some combination of PMS and tired had rendered me desiring SILENCE AND ALONE TIME on "My Special Day". My husband offered, and I considered it. But the morning came and my tiny (and not so tiny) humans all piled into my bed and there were kisses and hugs and how could I spend my day alone, when they were the reason for my day?

We went to one of our favorite places, the Vines Gardens which includes a Garden Railroad that's open from May to October and my kids can stop for hours and look at the trains, if you let them. After we'd had the ice cream they were giving away, and enjoyed some cups of lemonade, we made our way through the botanical gardens, wandering the path together - much like we do every day though life.

It was warm and sunny and a beautiful day around the lake.

There will be Mother's Days in the future when they aren't home, when they don't WANT to be home, when walking around a lake and then going to Red Robin for more Rootbeer Floats than you can shake a stick at won't even be appealing.

I feel like the days are slipping away from me and even the time I spend sitting here woolgathering is lost time, moments I am wasting. I should be playing Candyland. Candyland's days are numbered.

But I also know that I need to give my brain a break and rest, and be a little selfish so I can give them all of me when they need me most.

So I won't feel too bad as I spend an hour listening to them play and giggle in the other room. 

My special day was the best day ever, made possible by the presence of the five people I love most in the whole word who aren't my Mom.

Because after all, if it weren't for her, I wouldn't be half the mom I am today. 

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The Renaissance And Meats Of Various Sorts

Our annual Mother's Day tradition is to go to the Georgia Renaissance Festival which is awesome and fun, and completely really NOT about the Renaissance and more about, oh hell I don't even know. Costumes, and fairy magic? We went late this year, but better late than never because I LOVE the Renn Faire.

The Centurion who popped by the meat vendor is probably proof that being period relevant isn't a requirement. Which is ok with me. Rather, it's sort of like multiple worlds and universes collide outdoors and there are shops and food and dancing and fun, so who cares?

There are also large hunks of meat, we had the spicy and the teriyaki - the Renaissance was known for it's love of teriyaki obviously. It was pretty damn good but I think my teeth hurt from chewing it.

It's usually about as hot as the surface of the sun when we go, so the frozen lemonade is the thing that keeps us from melting and praying for death. This year though it was in the low 80s with a breeze, a really perfect temperature for being outside and just putzing about.

There are lots of rides and activities for the kids though, which is mainly why we go. They love it, I honestly don't think Charlie had such a happy day in months. He laughed and giggled all day, and the others were even happier than that. 

We always choose something weird and random to eat, this year we had the chocolate covered bacon which is served cold - this seems odd to me but it was really good regardless.

I think chocolate sauce could be served as BACON DIPPING SAUCE like caramel is APPLE DIPPING SAUCE. Indulge your inner and outer fattie, I say.

We have a family tradition that to end our day we ALWAYS take a photo here in this spot. Yes - at the portopotties. It just started out that way and now it's a think. EVERY year. It makes me laugh every single time. This year we got a pirate to take our picture.

And to my amusement, the one who had a ride ....was the one who conked out first.

It's tiring, being the baby.

It was possibly, all things considered, one of my favorite Mother's day celebrations ever, even if it was late.

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The Renaissance And Meats Of Various Sorts

Our annual Mother's Day tradition is to go to the Georgia Renaissance Festival which is awesome and fun, and completely really NOT about the Renaissance and more about, oh hell I don't even know. Costumes, and fairy magic? We went late this year, but better late than never because I LOVE the Renn Faire.

The Centurion who popped by the meat vendor is probably proof that being period relevant isn't a requirement. Which is ok with me. Rather, it's sort of like multiple worlds and universes collide outdoors and there are shops and food and dancing and fun, so who cares?

There are also large hunks of meat, we had the spicy and the teriyaki - the Renaissance was known for it's love of teriyaki obviously. It was pretty damn good but I think my teeth hurt from chewing it.

It's usually about as hot as the surface of the sun when we go, so the frozen lemonade is the thing that keeps us from melting and praying for death. This year though it was in the low 80s with a breeze, a really perfect temperature for being outside and just putzing about.

There are lots of rides and activities for the kids though, which is mainly why we go. They love it, I honestly don't think Charlie had such a happy day in months. He laughed and giggled all day, and the others were even happier than that. 

We always choose something weird and random to eat, this year we had the chocolate covered bacon which is served cold - this seems odd to me but it was really good regardless.

I think chocolate sauce could be served as BACON DIPPING SAUCE like caramel is APPLE DIPPING SAUCE. Indulge your inner and outer fattie, I say.

We have a family tradition that to end our day we ALWAYS take a photo here in this spot. Yes - at the portopotties. It just started out that way and now it's a think. EVERY year. It makes me laugh every single time. This year we got a pirate to take our picture.

And to my amusement, the one who had a ride ....was the one who conked out first.

It's tiring, being the baby.

It was possibly, all things considered, one of my favorite Mother's day celebrations ever, even if it was late.

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If This Van Is Rockin Don't Bother Knockin

So it's happened. We are a mini-van family.

I know a lot of people surrendered to the mini-van far earlier than we. Some went at two kids.

But even when we were challenged by THREE we stuck with the SUV option, holding onto our "WE ARE YOUNG AND HIP" concept of ourselves.

Except that, we didn't have our kids when we were young or hip. Hell, I'm not even sure we were DATING when we were young and hip much less having kids.

We had to have the van though, as we didn't all fit in the SUV with the addition of the girl-child to the brood. So we added the van and now we've got both the SUV and the VAN - so we can go EITHER WAY!

And if the van is rockin, chances are we're letting the kids listen to KORN or EMINEM so don't bother knockin - we won't hear you and it'll just offend your "age appropriate" sensibilities.

**********************

and before I post........a quick look at my Mother's Day.

If This Van Is Rockin Don't Bother Knockin

So it's happened. We are a mini-van family.

I know a lot of people surrendered to the mini-van far earlier than we. Some went at two kids.

But even when we were challenged by THREE we stuck with the SUV option, holding onto our "WE ARE YOUNG AND HIP" concept of ourselves.

Except that, we didn't have our kids when we were young or hip. Hell, I'm not even sure we were DATING when we were young and hip much less having kids.

We had to have the van though, as we didn't all fit in the SUV with the addition of the girl-child to the brood. So we added the van and now we've got both the SUV and the VAN - so we can go EITHER WAY!

And if the van is rockin, chances are we're letting the kids listen to KORN or EMINEM so don't bother knockin - we won't hear you and it'll just offend your "age appropriate" sensibilities.

**********************

and before I post........a quick look at my Mother's Day.

Mother's Day Dinner For......Cthulu?

Ummmmm. Ummmmmm. Nobody does Mother's Day Like They Do It In Dixie!

Mother's Day Dinner For......Cthulu?

Ummmmm. Ummmmmm. Nobody does Mother's Day Like They Do It In Dixie!

Mother's Day for Train Lovers

I wanted to go to the Renn Fair this year for Mother's Day. But, Mother Nature had her own ideas and blew up a huge storm the night before and I was not inclined to roll around like one of the muddy beggars so that then begged the question (pardon the pun)what to do with ourselves for the day.
Mommy could do anything she wanted to do.

Anything in the world.

So then I have to decide. Do I choose ME and slumber the day away in Vicodin swaddled bliss (yeah I still have some left from the tooth extraction)? Do I choose to go somewhere with the clan that I'll like, and that they'll tolerate?

Or do I make a choice, that is guaranteed to make little boys run and laugh?

What do you think I chose?

A family day spending time with some civil war history and the best part of all TRAINS. Does it get any better?

I did add the mommy element to the trip to the museum by requiring we purchase jams as our souvenir. I figure that's the mom touch to the trip. Oh, and Peanut Brittle. Had to have peanut brittle. Cuz my butt isn't big enough.

We played in the playground outside which as far as I can tell, is the best entertainment on earth. Who knew, right?

Of course, this MIGHT have been the best part of the day for Lil Satchmo. What do you think?

It only gets better if you roll down to BBQ Kitchen by the ATL Airport for some excellent home cookin' people! That's right, no fancy Mother's Day Dinner with an annoying two hour wait.

Excellent diner food with the boys I love.

Best Mothers Day Ever.
Even with this.

No we don't know what the hell it is. It was at the playground.

Mother's Day for Train Lovers

I wanted to go to the Renn Fair this year for Mother's Day. But, Mother Nature had her own ideas and blew up a huge storm the night before and I was not inclined to roll around like one of the muddy beggars so that then begged the question (pardon the pun)what to do with ourselves for the day.
Mommy could do anything she wanted to do.

Anything in the world.

So then I have to decide. Do I choose ME and slumber the day away in Vicodin swaddled bliss (yeah I still have some left from the tooth extraction)? Do I choose to go somewhere with the clan that I'll like, and that they'll tolerate?

Or do I make a choice, that is guaranteed to make little boys run and laugh?

What do you think I chose?

A family day spending time with some civil war history and the best part of all TRAINS. Does it get any better?

I did add the mommy element to the trip to the museum by requiring we purchase jams as our souvenir. I figure that's the mom touch to the trip. Oh, and Peanut Brittle. Had to have peanut brittle. Cuz my butt isn't big enough.

We played in the playground outside which as far as I can tell, is the best entertainment on earth. Who knew, right?

Of course, this MIGHT have been the best part of the day for Lil Satchmo. What do you think?

It only gets better if you roll down to BBQ Kitchen by the ATL Airport for some excellent home cookin' people! That's right, no fancy Mother's Day Dinner with an annoying two hour wait.

Excellent diner food with the boys I love.

Best Mothers Day Ever.
Even with this.

No we don't know what the hell it is. It was at the playground.