Friday we ventured out to Belle Meade (say that as proper as possible to understand the importance) for a family photo session with the most down-to-earth photographer. It's hard to transition when you're trying to squeeze by herds of mommy-n-me jogging packs and I-just-am-out-in-my-Lexus-trying-to-parallel-park-at-the-age-of-ninety, but I'm probably just jealous. Of the Lexus driver. Word of advice, any shoot over 30 minutes for kids/family is a waste. 30 mins of fun with a great photographer = perfect. Roland and Aria were great - as they could be - and Brian and I relaxed and had a good time. Check one large agenda item off the day. Next up: wine time at Catherine and Max's after work. And I got to carpool there!
Catherine and Max are the easiest people in the planet. Pair them with the chillest couple out there, Chip and Markana, and you've got a relaxed and super simple after work happy hour in Sylvan Park. Where you can load up the wagon and walk to dinner. Which is exactly what we did. In the world's most family-friend of pubs we enjoyed the better part of an hour (or two) wrangling kids and laughing over beers. Celebrating Max and Catherine's upcoming nuptials. Afterwards we loaded up and headed down the street to a benefit block party concert for Falling Whistles. A grass-roots organization keeping us aware to the continuing war in Congo, especially it's toll on children too small to carry a weapon. We were happy to support our friends Keri and Jeffery in their passion about this effort.
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| Brian is in the back, holding Aria, as well as Roland's head. |
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| Aria, Gunner (dog), Jeffery (sponsor and owner of dog) and I. We were up close enjoying the music. |
It might seem goofy, but we were pretty proud as parents to have our kids - along with many other kids, like Stella - out that night in support. And it was a perfect night. The kids were great. Granted, Roland basically assaulted Chip, but according to Chip, it was endearing and made Stella fall over with laughter, so whatever!
Saturday Brian had a gig in West Nashville and the kids and I were supposed to walk the Heart Walk. But we got turned around and ended up the Cultural Fest at Centennial Park, which was AWESOME. We enjoyed a great concert by the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra, which I practically had to drag the kids from, a dozen different kids exhibits including a school bus gym, free-form painting, puppet show, ballet performance, Chinese dancers, and Roland's favorite, the musical petting zoo - a tent full of all the worlds instruments for kids to explore! Brian met us for a yummy authentic Greek lunch topped by Las Paletas Popsicles and play time at the park. Who knew so much greatness could be held in one place on a Saturday?
After epically good naps for the kids we loaded up and headed to the Ranch for a great evening of name-that-artist-all-eighties with Steve, Michelle and Kristi. Turns out, as the youngest, I know the least! But come on! I was like 6 when some of that came out! We grilled chili-hot dogs, made s'mores and generally just hung out (read = enjoyed boxes of wine) and had a great time. The boys plus Aria ran amok for hours on end in the great outdoors, shrieking with laughter. We even lit some sparklers. One at a time, each boys brain melted watching the fire shoot out the end of the wire. By 9PM, I was D.O.N.E. (light-weight) and we packed up our traveling show and hit the road. Next time we'll just spend the night!
Sunday was indeed our day of rest, and we needed it from all that greatness! How lucky are we to be surrounded so fully with friends we cherish and love so much. Till next time, just keep the bags by the front door and be up for anything!
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