What a crazy, busy, amazing day!
Getting to watch Aunt Leanne opening her presents – a few at breakfast, and then the rest of them during dinner – was one of the highlights. Morning Tai Chi with her and Uncle Adam was great too, and Dad and Uncle Adam cooked up the full country breakfast while the rest of us took turns getting ready for church, and helped Mom with Ethan and Ehlana.
It was non-stop action from Tai Chi to Church, and the fun kept on rolling there; led by Eleanor Byrd teasing Aunt Leanne about being a year older than she was now. We had quite a crowd sitting with us for the service thanks to a combination of Aunt Leanne’s birthday; our weekend guests and significant other; and the fact that this was going to be Grandma and Grandpa’s last Sunday at home until Thanksgiving.
Dawn and Jillian took turns holding Ethan and Ehlana until they went to Sunday School with Rowen, Violet, Dillon, and me. Pastor Martha kept the service to just over an hour, and then we were set free to enjoy one last afternoon blast of fun at the park. We all needed to go home and get changed first, and then Violet and Dillon went over to the park with Dawn, Jillian, Rowen, and I while Mom and Dad took care of nursing Ethan and Ehlana before meeting up with Aunt Leanne and Uncle Adam; and joining us for lunch.
There were more shows to watch, including a showcase of the talent show winners; we played a few more games that Grandma and Grandpa joined us for; and had time to go on all of our favorite rides at least one or two more times before we needed to go home again and get ready for the early buffet birthday dinner. Dillon had needed to go over to the Inn then to work the buffet shift; which probably explained why he and Violet had disappeared for a while before she met up with us at home again. She, Dawn, and Jillian also packed their bags and loaded her car before we went to the Inn. They planned on leaving for Woodvale right after dinner.
We still had a couple of hours to spend together, though, and even though Violet was already feeling down about having to leave Dillon again; Aunt Leanne managed to cheer her up, and entertain all of us as she let her inner kid out to play and enjoy her special day. Uncle Adam wasn’t going to be able to take extra vacation weeks for a while, so Aunt Leanne didn’t get any airline tickets to Arizona this year, but she did love the new clothes, jewelry, and toys that she was given. Miranda had a large birthday cake that she told us needed to be that big to hold all of the candles; but was really so she could offer it as a dessert option to about a third of her first-buffet customers. Dawn and I helped Aunt Leanne with the candles, and hopefully her wish will come true.
It was time to say goodbye to Violet, Dawn, and Jillian far too soon, but they needed to get on the road, and we needed to make room for the incoming customers for the second buffet sitting. Dillon could only take a break for a few minutes, and came outside with us so that he could share a sweet, tearful goodbye with Violet. We all waited to see Violet, Dawn, and Jillian on their way, and then there were more hugs and kisses as Dillon went back to work, and the rest of us got ready to head back to our respective homes.
Rowen came home with us, but only stayed long enough to pick up her bag before going on to her place and plans for some quality bubble bath time. Dad had some work to do before leaving for Crystal Springs in the morning, so I helped Mom with Ethan and Ehlana. That included some play and chat time; a Magi lesson; and their nine o’clock feeding before they decided to have a nap. Mom took that opportunity to visit her Jacuzzi for a while, and I’ve been in the office with Dad; taking care of a bit of family business work, catching up on email and the weekend entertainment highlights, and now, writing this journal entry.
My Jacuzzi is calling to me, and we’ll all be up early to see Dad off to the city; so it’s time to put a wrap on another great day and weekend. We may be in for a bit of a break from the non-stop fun; but the Halloween action around town will be starting in less than two weeks, and Witch Falls is definitely the place to be for Halloween!