A (North) Carolina Kind of Weekend

Not news to anyone but I am an only child....I grew up bringing dandelions to my Mom as a bribe for a sibling. My parents tried for 10 years to have a baby, then adopted me so clearly a sibling wasn't in the plan for me. I do consider my cousin, Janet, to be my older, wiser, big sister that God made special for me. I grew up thinking she hung the moon (really people, she did!) and she always, ALWAYS made time for me. We've remained very close my entire life and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding....she was the hottest 50-something bridesmaid you ever did see!! She is beautiful, both inside and out and I love her with a fierceness like no other. She and her husband, Larry, play HUGE roles in the lives of our children. They were one of the first visitors to our home after both babies came home from the hospital. Janet chose her name "Auntie" and Winston, who at the time was unable to say the whole word, decided that Larry would be his "Unc Unc"...the names haven't changed and neither has the bond between my children and their Auntie and Unc Unc.

Immediately following the EGGstravaganza on Friday morning, I loaded up the kiddoes and we hit the road for a weekend with Auntie and Unc Unc, who live just outside Charlotte. The kids were so excited....so was Auntie!! We arrived to find ENORMOUS bags filled with sursies for the children, they spent a good long time sorting through their new loot and playing with their dog, Katie. We picked Joe up from the Charlotte airport that evening and our weekend had officially started.

We spent Saturday at Carowinds. It was a picture perfect day...bright blue sunny skies and a light breeze. We got their early and reaped the benefits of a fairly empty amusement park. We went directly to the Nickelodeon kid's section and rode roller coasters and carousels and anything else we could find. Winston scored big time with the roller coaster...the crowd was so light that morning, we rode the coaster 3 times in a row without ever getting off the ride. GREAT FUN. After lunch Auntie and Unc Unc gave Joe and I a free 2-hour pass to ride the big people rides and they took the kids back to the little people section. We rode 3 big coasters and they were great fun! We met back to find Lilly's face beautifully painted a pink and purple creation. Unc Unc spent a bunch of money winning basketballs and footballs and became the hero of the day. One of my favorite things was riding Boots Balloon Ride with Lilly...listening to her giggle the whole time was such a joy, I love the sound of a happy, joyful Lilly! It was such a wonderful and fun day to spend together. Janet and I were wrapping up the day with a coaster ride together and once we got on the ride, we realized Winston was within the height requirements so we extended our time and I took Winston on the Reptile Raptor...it was as close to a big coaster as he can get right now. HE LOVED IT!!

We continued this great day by having appetizers, drinks and dinner on their back deck by the rippling creek that is below their house. It was SUCH a wonderful evening. The kids enjoyed the fresh air and we enjoyed the conversation and time together. We tried to keep our eyes open long enough to watch the UNC-Nova b-ball game...we didn't make it til the end....a happy and tired bunch needed some sleep!

Before we headed for home, we went to visit my Uncle Wesley (Janet's Dad, my Mom's brother). He is well on in his years and is starting to show the signs of that but it was so great to see him. I have lots and lots of great happy memories of my Uncle Wesley....those good old days will always be cherished in my heart. The kids enjoyed seeing Great Uncle Wesley too. Just like when I was a kid, Wesley gave the kids some silver coins for their piggy bank...some things never change!!

So we returned safe and sound and are ready to begin a week with NO alarm clocks...and I personally, can think of nothing better than that...HAPPY SPRING BREAK!