Last week was Etta's Spring Break from school. I thought about potty training her, but decided that a trip to Lori's in the Atlanta area would be more fun. We were going to leave on Monday, but everyone was still on the tail-end of a cold, so we left on Tuesday morning instead. The drive (without kids) should take about 4 hours. It took us six. It took us nearly an hour to go about 6 miles just outside Chattanooga. The delay was caused by a lane closure that seemed uncalled for and ridiculous in nature and after listening to a screaming baby for nearly an hour (and needing to pee so bad, I almost grabbed a diaper), I was ready to punch GDOT in the face (we had dipped into Georgia for a few miles).
So, it took us four hours just to get to Chattanooga (a two hour drive). After the lane closure debacle, we stopped at a Rest Area so I could pee and change diapers, and feed Daniel and then we were on the road again. Thankfully, both kids PASSED out at this point. I got to drive in peaceful silence for about an hour.
Eventually, we arrived at Lori's! Etta ran into their house and made herself at home playing with ALL of their fun toys! The girls hit it off! You couldn't even tell it had been a year since they'd last seen each other. Alyssa and Etta especially buddied up and Natalie decided I was her new BFF. The boys were interested in each other, but both would much rather be held by momma.
They did this little move the whole time we were there! Here is a video from the next day:
So, Tuesday evening we just sort of settled in and kept it low-key. On Wednesday, we spent the day at Lori and Cliff's house with all five kids. Lots of playing and a little tv watching.
This one made me lol.
This one too...
Etta loved this little vanity.
We took them outside for a bit in the afternoon, but it was hot and Etta hadn't had a nap, so she melted down about ten minutes later and we had to go back in.
Eventually, it was bedtime and the grown-ups danced and did all the fun things that littles think they must be doing after they go to bed! (More like, we ate dinner, played "Draw Something" with each other, and went to bed ourselves)
Thursday morning we hung around the house some more.
That afternoon, we all went to an "open play" event at GiGi's Playhouse in Atlanta. I was SO looking forward to this! GiGi's is a Down syndrome Awareness Center and there is a group of us who just began the (long) process of trying to get one in Nashville. So, to see one in person was great! I feel like I have a lot of information to share at our next meeting.
Gross Motor Room (for PT, dance parties)
Gross Motor Room (opposite view)
Literacy Rooms
By the time we got home that evening, it was past Daniel's bedtime. He was a screaming mess, but I fed him and put him in bed and fed Etta and got her in bed and all was right in the world again!
We got up Friday morning, packed up, loaded up, and we were on the road. It took us a mere five hours to get home. Without any prolonged screaming fits from anyone in the car. ;)
We had a lot of fun hanging out with Lori, Cliff, Natalie, Alyssa, and Bennett! Thanks for letting us crash your pad!
