firecracker #8

I had a couple of “firecrackers” I was considering. Then TLC, Little Leighton (aka LL aka Biscuit), Baby Elle (aka Belle) and I made a trip to Wichita Falls last Wednesday—staying two nights—to see my sister, Mary V., her daughter and her four granddaughters. Our youngest sister, Lucy, also made the trip—taking off work and making it a true “Girls’ Only Mini-Vacay!”

TLC, LL, Belle and I stayed at the Homewood Suites we’d stayed in last summer. (Lucy camped out with Mary V at her casa.) We need a kitchen with a big fridge and a microwave for the gluten-free food we take. 

On Wednesday afternoon and evening, the WFalls’ Gang had a belated birthday party for LL. My two oldest great-nieces had done lots of decorating—with a Rapunzel theme. (LL’s gift from them was the Disney Rapunzel dress—sooo pretty/fancy/Princess-y. She also received a long blonde Rapunzel wig and shoes! So decorations were coordinated with this theme.) We had gluten-free hotdogs, chips and GF cupcakes and cookies Grammy had provided. Then we had a Dance Party! Led by my great-niece, Marie. She and my niece, her Momma, and TLC, taught us all the Macarena! (Actually, I knew it. I don't know how many times I did it at Texas Ranger's baseball games when that song came out. I did have to have a "refresh" to get it back in my head.) Among other dances. Something called the Whip and Nay-Nay? It was all tremendously fabulous and memorable. We left for the hotel completely exhausted.

Thursday morning, we went to see my niece’s new home and swim in her sparkling pool.  Once we were sufficiently pooped from all of that activity, TLC, The Little Princesses and I headed back to our hotel room for lunch and a nap.

My niece has written a book called “My Guru Calls Me Momma.” (A great read for any Momma or Grandmomma—or parent, actually. Especially for single parents.) She had a book signing on Thursday evening at a beautiful venue. We got back to our hotel room that night once again happily worn-out.

Friday morn, the four of us got up fairly early—packed our too many bags—and headed back to TLC’s casa (about two hours East). I got home to my country casa by 3:30 p.m. Got on my couch in my jammies. Moved to our bed at 9:30. Slept like a baby.

A fantastic time was had by ALL!

It was in the hotel room on Thursday afternoon—after Belle woke up from her nap—that I realized she had presented me with this last Firecracker!

She was singing something. (She’s 2 years and 4 months old. Like her Mom and her sister, she talked early and she talks amazingly well. Her vocabulary can literally blow your mind. Because she uses big words appropriately. Sorry. Grammy must brag some, right?) Belle loves to sing and dance (TWIRL!). She was singing “When We’re Together.” Sung by Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad and Jonathan Grott. From Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.

Olaf’s Frozen Adventure was a 30-minute special presented on The Disney Channel this past December. If y’all didn’t see it—and you have children between the ages of 2 and 10? Children that loved the movie “Frozen?” You need to find this precious show. It is the SWEETEST. It’s about Elsa and Anna needing to discover their family Christmas traditions. They don’t think they have any—of course they finally realize they do. Hint: Their traditions involve Olaf. Duh.

At the end of the show, they all sing this song: “When We’re Together.” Y’all. I cry every single time I hear it. EVERY. TIME. It’s on TLC’s phone. It’s on my phone. I could listen to it twice a day—every day of my life—and still, I promise you, I’d cry.

I don’t care if you have no children or grandchildren and I don’t care how old you are. You SHOULD at least listen to this song. If you don’t understand all of the words? Google them. It is that awesome.

So this is our last Firecracker for the month of July. Yippee!

TLC and I hope you’ve enjoyed at least one of the suggestions we’ve had for y’all.

For the month of August? We’ve got something great planned! (Or we feel like you might enjoy our plan.) Each of us is going to give y’all some websites and Instagrams we treasure! TLC is the Instagram expert. Yes. I realize I may be a technology dinosaur. That is true. Yet I’ve got some I follow I think are blog worthy.

In September, My Sweet Hubby and I will be celebrating our 40^th wedding anniversary! I’ll be taking over the blog for the entire month. Sharing 40 things I love about him (that would be approximately 8 posts of 5 things each so don't panic that it could take 40 years to read all of them), us, our marriage, our children, our grandchildren—our life together. Maybe some wisdom I’ve got regarding marriage/relationships. I’ll do what I can to make it interesting, okay?

Happy End-of-July Dearest Friends!

(Where is this year going? Sigh.)

HUGS,

ELC