Best Weekend Ever (Day Four)

Sunday morning we woke up to clear skies and I knew it was now or never for the Town Park.  BVZ had to go into the office so we were stuck with Lou.  He was a good sport despite the fact that it was a really (really) hot day.  I didn't get many cute pictures of the Town Park, but suffice it to say that it met Ruby's expectations and the rest of them were just as thrilled to be there.

All parks in Texas have these diggers.  I don't know why.  It takes the strength of a grown man to maneuver it.  Lou demands to try it every single place we go and every single time he loses his mind in frustration.

After an hour and a half or so at the park the moms were exhausted (did I mention it was hot), and the kids were out of snacks and so we packed it in.  Every time Ruby said the only thing she wanted to do was the house park, Norah chimed in that the only thing she wanted to do was take everyone to her favorite restaurant Bellini's.  Who am I to deny her a dream?

Now, one would think that a restaurant called Bellini's would specialize in bellinis.  That was the first thing Aileen asked and I had to admit that I had no idea if they had them because the owners actually named their restaurant after their dog, not the drink.  Everyone was pretty hangry by the time we sat down and the waitress immediately asked what she could bring us to drink.  Bellinis it was and I have to admit it was the best bellini I have ever enjoyed.

With bellies full of pizza, moods improved all around and when the song 'That's what friends are for' came on, the girls were only too thrilled to get down to it.

There may have even been some slow dancing.

Back at the house it was pool party game on.  My mom and sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews all came over for hamburgers and swimming.  Both Ruby and Lucas are incredible swimmers for their age.  Not only can they save themselves from drowning, they were great on the slide and had no qualms about getting dunked right under.  It makes me feel terrible that we have been so remiss in getting Norah and Lou into lessons.

The little boys were furious that we wouldn't let them in but neither of them had pooped that day, both had eaten a bunch of watermelon, and I just wasn't taking that chance.

The only blemish (literally) on the day was when all the kids were playing monster tag in the grass and out of nowhere Lucas let out the kind of scream where you open your mouth but no sound comes out for at least 15 seconds.  The instant I saw his face I knew he had gotten bitten by a fire ant.  Sure enough, his poor little wrist had a big, swollen bite on it.  Fire ant bites hurt so, so, so much.  He was a total trooper and recovered with some ice, motrin, and a little ipad.

Even with an early flight the next morning, the girls had their same routine of late night playing, movie watching, and secret telling.  Norah took Ruby into her closet and gave her a ring (a green plastic one), and they swore on their hearts they would never be anything except best friends forever.

I don't do good-byes well.  I need them to be quick and efficient, and I can't focus on how sad they make me.  The girls knew it was their last night together but they went to sleep together so it didn't seem too hard.  The next morning we woke Ruby up really early and let Norah sleep.  Ruby gave Norah a kiss and tucked her blanket in tight around her.  A perfect end.

It was a great trip.  I couldn't ask for better friends for my kids and I certainly could never hope for better friends for myself.  It was basically a 100+ hour play date with some of the people I love most.  It's good to have forever friends.  Really, really good.*

*This is how much I love these people:  I drove them to the airport in the van and dropped them off at the terminal.  I then drove the van to long term parking where my car was parked, and unloaded the car seats from the van into the Prius.  I then left long term parking, still in the van, and went and filled it up with gas.  I then returned the van to the rental car place, walked back to the terminal, and took the shuttle back to long term parking where I finally retrieved my car.  That's true love.    

**Aileen has more photos and funny commentary up on her blog.  Both Megan and Aileen were quite taken with our local grocery chain, HEB.  Anyplace that serves free samples of wine is alright by me too.