Hangin' at the cabana by the pool
We planned our Florida vacation around Brad's work schedule. He had a meeting in Jackson, so instead of coming home we stayed there for a week. We got there Sunday, parted with the Marvins, and had Sunday lunch at Soulshine. We picked up some snacks for the week, some medicine (we both came back with colds), and settled into our hotel for a little downtime. Sunday night we walked next door to Logan's for supper. Mary Ella really enjoyed the yummy rolls! Like I said, after 2 weeks of eating out every meal, we are pros at plopping her down in a high chair, rolling out the plastic table cover, and giving her bite size portions. She ate things like grilled cheese, chicken strips, and mac and cheese off kid menus. Every morning we had breakfast at the hotel, and we ate out for lunch and dinner every day. Yeah, I'm sure I've put on a few pounds. Anyway, Brad's meeting didn't start until Tuesday, but he did some work out of the Jackson office Monday anyway. Since it wasn't an "official" workday for him I dropped Mary Ella off at the office while I went to the dentist in Madison. I haven't actually gone to the dentist in LR since ME has been here (oops), so I was glad Dr. Dillon would see me. I have heard horror stories about moms having tons of cavities after their pregnancies. So I was a little worried, especially since I hadn't had a checkup in over a year, but my hygienist said she never would have known. And Dr. Dillon said I looked great, so yay! After my appointment I went back to pick up ME and checked out the VA's new regional office in Ridgeland. It is really nice! We had lunch at Beagle Bagel and went back to the hotel for naptime. Our friend, Birch, from Fayetteville was in town, so we had dinner with him Monday night at Amerigo's. Tuesday we spent the morning at the pool, napped, and had leftovers for lunch (yummy chicken and artichoke pizza). Then we went to Madison Station for a visit. Everyone was so glad to see Mary Ella! That night we had dinner with my friend Rachel at Cozumel's. She is expecting, and I am so excited for her! We had a good time talking about baby stuff and just catching up. Wednesday we went to the Renaissance to walk around and do a little shopping. They have quite a few new shops (I really miss the shopping in Jackson!) I found Mary Ella a pair of red and white gingham overalls that I envision with some sort of Hog applique or monogram for football season at Lemon Meringue. I tried on a few red dresses at Material Girls, but decided they were either too short or I was too old to be wearing them. Ha! Can you tell I'm gearing up for football season? We had lunch at Sweet Peppers and went back to the hotel for what else? Naptime! As you know, Mary Ella is not a fan of the pack and play, but she slept every night in it in Florida. She got up every day at 6:30, but I was so happy she stayed out of our bed. Before we left I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a big piece of 2 inch foam and cut it the size of the pack and play. I was hoping it would feel more like her mattress (thanks Ashley for the idea!) And it worked while we were in Seagrove, but not in the hotel room. She ended up in bed with us every night in Jackson, and she never really napped well in it. So the poor girl was worn out by the end of our travels. Anyway, Wednesday night we had dinner at Chili's with our friends, Brad and Brandi. It was great to see them! Thursday Mary Ella and I decided to see what was going on in Flowood. We went to The Watermelon Patch and found a new kids' store, Hopscotch. We had lunch at The Corner Bakery. So yum! Then we tried to visit Joy McAllister, a pottery store, in Canton Mart Square, but she had moved to Fondren. I didn't get around to finding her new shop, but I still want to get ME one of her birthday cupcake platters. Doesn't she need a special plate to always have on her birthday? :) While we were at Canton Mart I found the Shoe Choo Train, a kids' shoe store and got Mary Ella a cute new pair of shoes. If you're local to Jackson, I reccommend checking it out. They give you a card to punch, and for every six pair of shoes you buy, you get the seventh 1/2 off. I would definetely strategically use that for a pair of baby UGGs if I lived there, but I hear there is a Shoe Choo in Conway too. Thursday night we teamed back up with Birch for dinner at Stix, my fav! Friday morning we were basically up and packing because Brad's meeting ended at 10. We went back to the Renaissance for lunch at Five Guys- such good burgers! Then we headed back home through the delta. We stopped in Lake Village at Paul Michael for a stretch break, and Brad bought 2 pies out of the back of some ladies van! Ha! I was a little reluctant, but that was one good chocolate and one good coconut pie!
ME after a nap- I think this was the morning after Brad had given me some sort of Tylenol the night before, and I could barely open my eyes. We went down for breakfast, played for a while, and both went back to bed. We took a 3 hour nap together!
Mary Ella helping Mommy pack-aka pulling EVERYTHING out of the suitcase!
Thanks, but no thanks!
Mary Ella at Five Guys- her grilled cheese was so good I might have ordered it myself had it not been for the yumminess of the burgers
And now we're home...so.glad.to.be.home!
No more cleaning these
