A Wonderful Weekend

My parents came down this weekend to see the kids. Their plans were to leave their home early Saturday morning and leave early afternoon on Sunday. As Ella Ann and I were getting ready after a bath Saturday morning my parents walked in the door as Spencer was also getting home from work! They surprised us for sure! They ended up driving to Dalton Friday night and got up early and came on in to our house Saturday morning. Yeay! Ella Ann was thrilled beyond belief to see them and never left Grandpa's side the entire weekend...she even went with him to Fox Sports Grill while Mom, Rane and I shopped!

They brought down Ella Ann's Disney princess bicycle that they have had at their house for the past year and she immediately jumped on it and started riding it throughout the house! We headed to Atlantic Station for lunch at the Cheesecake Bistro and did a little bit of Christmas shopping. We came back to the house and Rane took a nap, as did Spencer since he was up all night long at work. My parents took Ella Ann to their hotel to play while he was asleep. Ahhhh....peace and quiet all to myself for 2 glorious hours! Once they came back to our house, Mom and I took the kids outside so Ella Ann could ride her bicycle up and down our street. She does a pretty good job, but she really has to master the whole break thing. This needs to be done asap since we live in Toco HILLS!

We went to Buckhead Diner for dinner and it was SO good! We all enjoyed our sweet potato chips with warm Maytag blue cheese. Yummmm! Rane ate half the bread basket and Ella Ann and Spencer split a chocolate milkshake for dessert. Her lips never left the straw until it was nearly gone!

On Sunday I went to church, Spencer went to work and my parents kept the kids at our house. We all met up at R. Thomas Deluxe Grill for brunch and it was fannnnntastic! The owner loves birds so, along with all the absolutely crazy decor all around us, Ella Ann got to see all the birds in the cages, the ones flying around AND she got to have a dove perch on her finger (well for like 1.1 seconds then she freaked). After lunch Ella Ann painted a mini pumpkin for free. Side note to all my Atlanta friends with kids....they are doing this from 10-2 on Saturday and Sunday throughout October. The grandparents left after that but the goodbye was only sad for them with the kids because Spencer and I will meet them in Disney on Wednesday! Yeay!

Testing out the bicycle.

At Atlantic Station.

We found Dad and Ella Ann enjoying ice cream and a Bloody Mary (Ella Ann with the ice cream, Dad with the beverage!) all before noon. Grandparents really know how to spoil a child's appetite, don't they?

The kids got an "appetizer" as well at the Cheesecake Bistro.

Rane didn't waste any time. Ella Ann, on the other hand.....

complained! Once we peeled the oranges, though, she was good to go.


How many family members does it take to tighten Ella Ann's new Dora helmet?


Learning how to ride!


Dinner at Buckhead Diner.


Taking it easy before dinner.

Holding a dove at brunch this morning.


Ella Ann wasn't a fan of the birds but Mimi was!

Painting the pumpkin....she did a good 4 drippy coats. That was fun to transport home.