Times Have Changed

My brother, Jamie, and my sister-in-law, Su-Su (not her real name, by the way...that's just what Natalie and Michaela Byrd call her) closed on their first house yesterday! To celebrate, my mom offered to take us all out to dinner.

Never mind that the invitation was extended while the girls and I were at the pool. I managed to drag the girls out of the pool and into the car after many repeated promises of chicken nuggets. It struck me then that times have certainly changed.

Ten years ago, a dinner invitation at 5 pm would have been no big deal. I would have gone home, taken a shower, styled my hair, chosen a new (stylish) outfit, and headed out the door without a care in the world. Now I have to cajole a 3 year old to use the potty, change a little one's diaper, throw all the swim suits in the wash, and pack some whole milk for Michaela Byrd, who resembles a refuge from a war-torn country. Girl needs all the fat she can get!

These days, Su-Su knows better than to suggest a "real" restaurant, so we settled on a Cracker Barrel, which while not known for its stellar culinary reputation, it certainly beats another round of Chick-fil-a.

You've gotta love a restaurant that provides free entertainment! I like being able to hustle unruly children out here during the meal. Thankfully, that didn't happen tonight!

Natalie crushed Jamie in a game of "checks." Her strategy involves grabbing pieces at whim, whether they are hers or not.

Michaela Byrd has a more subdued personality. She preferred the rocking chairs.

Love the red, white and blue!

Isn't that star the cutest? That would be so much fun in my back yard. I like the patriotic flair, but I think I'd want white or black for every day.

Where's our dinner, for crying out loud?! (Mimi and the girlies)

The girls really dig those peg board games they have at each table. Ten years ago, I'd be sipping a daiquiri instead of watching Michaela Byrd chuck the pegs around the table. Natalie lines hers up by color. I cheat.

So then they brought us some bread. I bet the whole dining room knew because Michaela Byrd started shouting "bed! bed!" Natalie finished hers off by sampling the jam. Except she couldn't find her spoon, so she ate it straight out of the tub with a knife. Klassy.

Who'd think I'd find some inspiration in Cracker Barrel?! I like that old rifle! There's a very very old painting hanging on my living room wall that was painted by my great-grandfather. It's of two hunting dogs, and it's not too bad. I am soooo not that chick with the animal heads on her walls, but since T hangs out in that room when he's home, I thought an antique rifle like that might be a nice touch.

Not sure how we made it out without one of the girls begging for a sample from this wall of heaven, but we did. I just love all that shelving!

As we exited the restaurant, I could feel the warm summer breeze kissing my face and the sun was beginning to dip a bit lower in the sky. I felt the slightest hint of my former self--that carefree, relaxed, summer beach feeling that makes you want to just sit in the sand, close your eyes, and hear the ocean crash.

Then Michaela Byrd wiped her snotty nose on my shoulder and ended my revelry.

Yes, times have changed.

But I wouldn't trade the snotty noses or the checkers cheating for all the daiquiris in the world.

Check in later this week for a "Blank Canvas" post...there will be lots of pictures!