A Perfect Day

I have a few days off this week...just because...

After driving kids to school bundled in coats and gloves and blankets (it was 15 degrees and the car took a while to warm up), I came home and snuggled on the couch with Buttercup. She is the snuggliest sweetheart in the world! I promise...such a lovey dovey.

Then I took the day with my good friend Rachel and my sweet Buttercup. I never get out with Buttercup alone. In fact, the last time I had breakfast with a friend on a weekday with only ONE baby was when Boy was a baby. I miss those lazy days.

We ate at a joint called Skillet. As soon as we got out of the car we knew Panera was probably more our style, but by this time the baby was awake and we decided to go for it. I like to eat off the beaten path and avoid commercial chains when possible, so here was our chance.

First, the great news, kids eat free! FREE! It isn't often kids under 5 eat free and I have bought my fair share of $5 PB&Js and $3 hotdogs. I hate it every time, but what's a mom to do?

Second, everything, and I do mean EVERYTHING tasted just like a big griddle, or skillet, hence the restaurant name. The pancakes, the grits, the shrimp...tasted like a big black skillet and had lots of black skillet specks throughout.

Third, the staff was sweet and even though we will probably never choose it again, we left with full bellies.

It was lovely to have a nice afternoon with my sweet Rachel. It is harder to meet friends when you are grown. Its nice to have someone that that never seems to run out of things to talk about...our conversations just move here and there and we never run out of things to talk about from kids, to schools, to religion, to chickens ...I love it.

We took a long nature walk on the property they purchased. She will be building a house soon and I sent her the must have invite to pinterest...(how did anyone build a house without pinterest?).

I loved watching Buttercup, all bundled in her coat, bending over and collecting acorns in her tiny hands. I just stood and took it in for a moment.

She fell asleep on the way home and I laid her in my bed while I folded laundry. The house was completely quiet and still. I reveled in that while I could.

Then Buttercup woke up and the other monkeys ran through the door. I played Princess, dollhouse and power rangers and we had our evening dance party. Since I wasn't rushing in from work, it lasted longer than usual.
Buttercup waves her hands in the air and bends and bounces. Be still my heart.
Boy did some ballet type moves, that he said were NOT ballet...so we settled on modern dance.
When I tired of all the spins and dips, Bluebird stood on our stage (coffee table) and danced and danced and danced. Boy and I cuddled and watched her spin and kick and leap. The world was perfect at that moment.

At bedtime I asked boy which song he wanted me to sing...he said "the drink song". I said "hmm...don't know it, can you sing it for me?"

To the tune of twinkle twinkle..

Drinky drinky I love orange juice,
chocolate milk and green tea and juice box,
drinky drinky drinky drinky,
at night you have to drink water


"That is how it goes mommy, now you sing it".

We then went over that tomorrow he is wearing his gray pants and green shirt (this can cause meltdowns in the morning if not pre-established.
He said "and underwear?".
Me: "yes, and underwear and socks and shoes and a jacket"
Boy: "but on Saturday we can take our underwear off?"

I promise, we wear underwear, even on Saturdays!