Mama/Jack Day

Jack and I played hooky today and had ourselves a Mama/Jack day. Ben got one last week when Jack went to camp and childcare this week is a little sporadic. So, we dropped Ben off this morning and headed downtown. 

Given the choice to do whatever he wanted, he chose a ride on the downtown trolleys. We see the trolleys all the time, but have never taken the time to get on them. See the open-aired pink version below that I stole from the MATA Web site because I forgot to grab a photo. 

Jack had a blast, and I enjoyed how the train ride -- which looped down Main Street and around to the riverfront -- made me sit still and just watch out the city go by. Really, just watch Jack take it all in. The whole trip cost us $1.

After the ride, we picked up Aunt Ruby for lunch at the Trolley Stop Cafe and then returned her to her big high-rise downtown building. I could get used to the pace of these days. It's not long, I know, that Jack will be back in school. So for now, we're trying to take summer in. At least when we remember to. 

Bouncing and Ice Cream

One more, and then I'll stop. We met up with some of my best high school friends -- Brandi and Lori -- on our last day in East Tennessee. Because it was 100 degrees outside, we took our kids to Wee Bounce and hung out for a while. 

After Wee Bounce, I took the kiddos to the Mayfield's Visitor Center. We had ice cream and learned a little about milking a cow. Ben thought the udders were "peeing" instead of giving milk. What a city boy.

East Tennessee, wrapping it up

Rounding up my last bunch of East Tennessee photos, these from Athens -- when we spent part of our trip at my mom's house.My nephew Luke joined us for a sleepover, we celebrated the Fourth of July and played lots and lots of baseball. 

       

The Motley Crew, watching Scooby Doo.

Ben and Paul became big buds on the trip -- always having these quiet side conversations that no one could hear -- but that they thought were hilarious. 

                    

                                             

Jack was the first to climb onto the slide at the pool, and spent most of the afternoon barreling down it. 

Here's one I grabbed of Miss Mary, just after she ordered a mermaid balloon animal at the Etowah Fourth of July festival. Bless that girl for hanging out with her brother and four boy cousins. They, of course, all wanted swords. 

East Tennessee, continued

Still catching up with pictures from East Tennessee, where all the cousins got together to feed cows, play in the dirt and collect June Bugs. Ya'll know June Bugs, right?

Mary Beth and her bottle of bugs

Ben told me he was working on "construction" every time I asked what he was up to. 

Papaw, taking it all in.

The cousins, hiding in the bushes.

Headed East

Ruby and I took the kids East last week to celebrate the Fourth of July in God's country. Truly. I really miss those mountains. We were sort of all over, but I'll start with Jonesborough. We were blessed with cooler weather there, which meant the kids spent almost all of their time outside. 

But first, a pic from my grandparents' porch, early one morning while I was taking in my coffee. Love those mountains.

Ben and Mary with Mamaw

Jack, staring down a bull. 

Feeding the cows

All the cousins.

One of my favorite parts of the trip. The boys played baseball with a rock and a stick -- is that called stickball? -- for about 2 hours. 

More of all the cousins, the goofy shot. 

                                      

Like I said, lots of playing outside. I found the boys like this on the first night. Ben fell out of the bed and never moved a muscle afterward.

Ducks and Ribs

Our Baltimore family, the Miciches, flew south a couple of weeks ago to visit both the Nashville and Memphis Mettees. In Memphis, I think we were pretty successful showing our city off. John took them on a tour of the Memphis Air Traffic Control Center (the highlight of their trip, I think) and then we headed downtown for a Peabody duck parade and Rendezvous ribs. A real Memphis experience. 

 We didn't realize the duck parade was so popular, but we were able to find Ben and Jack spots to watch the ducks. Then, we headed to an alley across the street to eat the best ribs in Memphis.

John and his Aunt Dot

My plate, the aftermath

John and I knew that Jack was a  big rib fan, but we underestimated his eating power. I think he ate half of the sausage and cheese appetizer he shared with Ben and then four ribs that he begged off of John and my plate. Next time, I'm just ordering him his own half order. 

Jack and Ben with their cousin Jessica. Jack is still a little confused about having a cousin who is a grown up. He thought all of his cousins were small. 

BBQ Fest

Still catching up. John and I went to the Memphis in May BBQ Festival in early May. John helped put together the NATCA (air traffic control union) tent during the day, and I met him by the river later on in the day. This is one of my favorite things about living in Memphis. Lots and lots of BBQ. 

Our view of the Mississippi River

John and Justin

Me, Sammie Jo and Kathleen -- just some of the air traffic controller wives

 

Grub