Family Friday Fun (and Other Weekend Madness)

Ever since my nieces were small, my brother and his wife have dedicated most Friday nights to their family, which they dubbed "Family Friday."  Sometimes, when I have to work, my daughter goes with them; and sometimes, she spends my working hours with my younger brother and his family. So, this past Friday, I decided to be the good mom/sister/aunt and took the girls by myself. (You already know how this is going to go, right?)

We started at University Mall, where the Holt High School marched the "Toy Parade." We settled in Center Court, and of course I had to let them ride the train.... Even the 1-year-old. And just in case you didn't know, the mall jumped right over Thanksgiving. Center Court is already set for Christmas.

From there, we went to get something to eat.  The girls chose ChickfilA so they could play on the playground equipment.  While the other girls played, Rylee gave me the best laughter I've had in a while.

She was serious about blowing her nose. You hear me?

When we left there, I took all of the girls to my brother Brandon, and they had a sleepover with his daughter. I immediately went home and got ready for bed.  A childless night AND no life? Oh, I had the best sleep ever! I rested so well that I woke up at 5 a.m. and made my way to Belk for their Charity Sale.  I stood in the rain to be one of the first 100 people in line in hopes of receiving a gift certificate of at least $100.  I got $5. No big surprise there. But because I'd donated enough to receive 2 tickets to the event, I called my mom to join me. Eventually, my sister made it to the mall as well. So, we had a few hours of shopping before going to my cousins' gender reveal party, which began at noon. (I was late.)

The revealed around 2 p.m. that they'd be having a boy, and I left there and went to the Belk Activity Center at Bower's Park for a birthday party.  I'm NEVER one to let the kids have all the fun.

This party ended at 6 p.m. By this time, I was beat! But because I'd promised my daughter some PlayDoh and had to pick up a few items anyway, I went to the store. My daughter and niece had me to place them inside the shopping cart and we made our way to the toy section.  As soon as they saw the PlayDoh pizza maker, they knew they had to have it.  When we got home, they played with the PlayDoh; and me? Oh, I snuck in a nap. What can I say? I'm getting older.