Play Time

Today felt like the first "normal" day in a while. Holidays are over, house is back in order, and the kids had a ball playing together. I heard hysterical laughter coming from Conlee's room and this is what I found...I love that they can finally "play" and have fun together. Crawford said the other day, "Momma, Conlee is getting bigger, she can walk now. She's trying to run and she is trying to talk." So cute how he realizes that not too long from know - it will really be fun.

Well, as fun as having another person in all of your stuff can be! For example, here is Crawford playing with his train Lincoln Logs.
Here's what it looks like when Conlee decides to join in and play.

He's actually very patient with her and told me the other day that Conlee was his best friend. But, right after he said it he hesitated and said, "Cole's my best friend too and your my best friend too." I told him he could have a gazillion best friends!

Movie Time

Conlee got to stay with Sue-Sue while Bo and I took Crawford to see his first movie - Alvin & the Chipmunks the Squeakquel! Let's just say - it won't be our last movie!And yes, I had to get the "large" popcorn and we ate almost all of it!

There's STILL snow!

Thank goodness Taylor and Kennedy came to play today. Yesterday was spent cleaning up the Christmas mess (yes we left for Memphis with the house a total wreck - think wrapping paper everywhere and Santa gifts still in the living room). So - I was able to start "putting up" Christmas while the girls entertained the kids. These girls are great - their "payment" was hot chocolate! I still can't believe that there is snow on the ground from Christmas morning. So glad the kids still get to enjoy it!

Complete Tourists

True to form - we made the best out of Saturday and hit Memphis like we'd never been there before. With Dad in ICU there are limited visiting hours - so during the "down" time - we hit the town. First stop after morning visiting hours - the Pink Palace. For those of you who grew up in NWA - we took a gazillion field trips to this museum. I LOVED it when I was little. The enchanted forest was even still there!Crawford is really into dinosaurs - so all of that exhibition was a BIG hit!
We walked around the corner and all he said was, "WOW - look at that big dinosaur!"

My favorite parts are the Pioneer and Civil War exhibitions.

Turns out Crawford's "favorite" part was the baseball uniform. Funny how so much has changed but the uniform, ball and glove still pretty much look the same.

And then there's the Piggly Wiggly - my all time FAVE! Crawford loved it too.

Conlee was there too and loved it all, especially when we let her down to explore!

We went to Huey's for lunch. Crawford got to blow his first toothpick in the ceiling. Love this place.

Mom and I went back for afternoon visiting hours and the boys took the kids to "nap" time at the hotel. When we had to leave dad - we met up with everyone at the Peabody to watch the 5:00 duck march. I loved this as a child and had several birthday parties at the Peabody. Crawford was mesmerized. When I walked in - he had his place on the front row to see the ducks.

I love, love, love that he gets to experience the fun too!

We even went up to the rooftop deck to see the ducks (and the sunset too!).

Con and Crawford checking out the ducks in their "home."

How great are these pics. Thanks Court for the idea!

The Peabody was still decked out in Christmas decor. The HUGE tree, the giant gingerbread - I love it all!

Crawford got "chocolate" ducks for a treat.

I "bribed" him for a kiss!

Conlee made a ton of friends. She just smiled and clapped the entire time. It is such a warm, Southern atmosphere.

To top it off - we hit the Rendezvous for dinner. Hands down - the best - most amazing restaurant in the world. I am so glad Court and the kids got their first taste.

When we got back to the hotel the Rice's took the trolley over to visit (we had such a blast). The kids were so excited to meet "Momma and Daddy's friends. NOTE: the cheese pj's were part of a set - but I thought they were oh so appropriate for tonight!

Oh how true this statement is....

Clowning with Babe. We really had so much fun.

Conlee figuring it all out.

It was so much fun to be with family and friends and to truly "reconnect" with where I grew up. I am such a NWA person (now that I've lived here for 15 years). But, the truth of the matter is you can never take the Delta out of me. I love this town!

Christmas in Memphis

Since Dad is still in ICU, we decided to get hotel rooms in Memphis so we could be that much closer to the hospital. The hospital gets a "discount" rate at the Crowne Plaza that is 5 minutes from there - so we had 2 adjoining rooms for the weekend. Yes - 7 people in 2 rooms. I can't tell you how nice it was! The people were amazing and the hotel has been renovated. It's "off" of Beale a ways - but the trolley goes right to it. We were the only people in the place on Christmas night - so we took full advantage of the facilities. The security guard even brought us homemade treats. The McCain's are so like the Grizzwald's - we might have been there under "unfortunate" circumstances - but we made the absolute best of it!

I so wish you could see the chocolate on Crawford's face in the pic below. I was so not above bribing my kid to take a nap (yes with chocolate). Both kids actually did remarkably well - and we got to Memphis around 5:30.
Unfortunately, dad is still in ICU - so the kids couldn't see him. He still has a bacterial infection and is in the "transplant ICU" so no one under the age of 14 allowed :( Crawford was pretty upset - but seeing Babe made up for it. It was so nice to squeeze my Daddy's hand on Christmas. I haven't missed one with my folks in all of my 33 years.

If you know me (and if you read this blog regularly - you probably do) you know I am always prepared - a trait I definitely get from my mom. Between the 2 of us - there was not a thing lacking on Christmas. We had a Holiday Ham, bread and all of the sandwich fixings, a cake, a pie and of course the booze :) We really camped out in the rooms. We made one the kid room with beds and dvd. The other room was for "after hours" where we all hung out until bed time.
When we realized we were literally the ONLY people in the place - we went exploring. Court taught Crawford how to make a "tunnel" with his legs for his new motorcycle.
Pretty soon this turned into us using all of the bar stools to make a bridge!

Conlee even had her dessert (peaches) in the bar!

I am so thrilled that Court is soon to be "officially" part of the family. She is so great with the kids and is so much fun to be with . Turns out she's a great gift giver too because the kids LOVED their presents. Again, it was like a Christmas that kept going, and going, and going.

Did I mention the place was deserted. It was like being in a movie that you've always dreamed of - having an entire hotel to yourself!

My wonderful hubby who arranged all of this for my family. What would we all do without him?

Did I mention the gifts didn't stop. We literally did our gift exchange in the lobby with the 3 hotel employees watching!

Crawford got a pair of Cowboy boots from Babe & Pops and let me tell you - he thinks he is something else!

Con's new favorite toy - the doodle board.

Pops was with us for sure in spirit. Lots of things to pray about but still lots of things to be thankful for this Christmas!