Greetings from the great suberb of Atlanta: Senoia! This is the third annual trip to Atlanta that Beka, Cassie and I have made to visit Beka's best friend from high school, Shanda (the first year, I was pregnant with Cassie).
We arrived Saturday afternoon around 3pm (left DC around 4am). Here's what happened yesterday: Drove to Atlanta...made great time and HAD a great time. Cassie is amazing. She was the teensiest tiny bit fussy...like for 30 seconds every 4 hours...but was easy to distract and redirect. She colored some, read her Bible, listened to OUR music and her own, looked out the window and dozed some too. I can't believe we just did an 11 hour car trip with so little pain on either mom or kid! THAT, my friends, is a miracle! I didn't even remember to pack my sewing (although I think I may swing by a wal-mart to pick up a crochet hook and yarn).
We listened to two sessions from Captivating (Eldredge book-themed retreat we downloaded from Ransomed Heart Ministries: http://www.ransomedheart.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=12) and played DJ with our MP3 players. Mostly, we listened to childrens'/Cassie's music (at the end of the trip especially) but that wasn't bad because we are careful not to expose Cassie to annoying tunes we can't stand! Are we smart or what!?!
Seriously, it was a FANTASTIC trip! I was even able to keep my potty stops to a minimum and thereby reduce Beka's annoyance with my small bladder! :) We stopped for gas about 3 or 4 times and did a Chick Fil-a stop around lunchtime. Cassie had a 'milkshake' which was a bit of ice cream mixed with her Ensure. You can imagine how happily she sucked down THAT treat! Beka and I got drinks and ate our wraps at the outside eating area. B's Chihuahua, Simon, of course, was fine throughout...went potty in appropriate places, slept in Beka's lap and even sat in the back with Cassie for a little while. He was only interested in me when I was eating. Oh well.
When we got to Shanda's, Riley (Shanda's younger brother) and his family were there visiting. They came by to give Shanda her birthday gift and left after 30 minutes or so. Then we let Gus (Shanda's 4 year old son) and Cassie play some more before putting them both down for a nap (Shanda's daughter, Calla-age 2-was already asleep).
Beka showed Cassie some super-special attention though once Gus was in bed and took her out to play on the swingset in the Kennedy backyard. Can I just say Cassie was in HEAVEN to have such a magnificent playground at her disposal! She reluctantly came inside and settled down for a 3 hour nap (estimate...I didn't have a watch/check the time). We adults visited and chatted while the kids slept, although I started to slip into oblivion from lack of sleep.
I finally went to bed with Cassie around 9pm and I was glad to enter into unconsciousness--totally exhausted and I didn't even drive!! Before bed, Cassie threw up all over Beka. Not sure why cause she acted fine before and after but man, was that some stinky throw up (yeah, note to self: no more Ensure with ice cream)! Beka is now officially a "Mom" because she's been thrown up on! Boo and Roo took an immediate bath and got all fresh and clean before bed...but we'll have to work on the smell in the carpet. Ugh! 
This morning Beka and Cassie are watching 'Veggie Tales' in our bedroom (Cassie's pack and play is in there with us...she went right to sleep for both her nap and her bedtime!) and I'm in the other room. Shanda and family are later sleepers (not hard to be in comparison with me and Cassie!).
The plan for today-Shanda's birthday-is to leave Uncle "Rad" with the kids and for us girls to head into town for a birthday celebration. I hope to meet up with my best bud from college, Lori Jean, today but am not sure when or where.
