She called it a recession free day..... A wonderful stress free day with tons of fun at no charge... THANK YOU DAWN! Saturday was a tough roll out of bed and ended with a tough roll into bed that night... The day progressed to would we or would we not hop in the van and go to Ft Lauderdale. As the day went on the decision became clear. WE NEED SOME FUN! At about 5 pm I had to return the obsessive calls wondering if the Pringle's were on their way or NOT... I asked the kids (Dah) Do you want to go over to Ft Lauderdale... they replied "when" I said; RIGHT NOW! The overwhelming response was YES! So we packed up over night clothes, everyone through the shower and into PJ's we are on the road to Aunt Nancy's.
We arrived about 8 om to get some last minute groceries. At Aunt Nancy's we started a camp fire in her back yard to roast marshmallow's. The kids hit the sack about 11 pm and we began making PICNIC food.. The weee hours of the night took their toll on me as I "rolled" into bed at 2 am ish and left Nancy trying to figure out her computer glitch.
Up at 7:45.....OUCH I began our breakfast routine as quietly as possible. Tressa needed another bath, then dressed for CHURCH, yes, mama Pringle is taking her 7 bears to CHURCH this morning. One at a time they showered off their outdoorsy wood burning smell off and into clean clothes.. Sunday school is at 9:45 and service 10:30. We are not making 9:45 with any stretch of the imagination. COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE.... I need coffee. We were taking half the prepared food to the church Thanksgiving celebration so we pack, kids, "stuff" and food into 2 vehicles. I do not even attempt to explain "CHURCH" to my children. They know about spiritual words, the Bible and all the information but sitting quietly in CHURCH isn't something we have successfully managed as a family in --oh, bless me Father it has been about 14 years since my last family visit into church successfully. This being a complete service where we were not asked to please not return...LOL
It was an amazing experience. The congregation was open, friendly and very accepting of the ENTIRE Pringle family. I must say as we entered I did say, please no talking.. Lets listen nicely. We proceeded to the middle of the church where a kind man left the pew for us to have the entire row...all 11 of us sit...I am please it went smooth. The kids all sit, then stand and watch as the music was fast, loud with a fun beat. Jordan looked to the right, looked to the left, around went his eyes and blurts out loud. "OH, NO!" pushes his way to get out of the pew with Nancy at a firm quarterback block stance and he is not getting past her...so in a second he leaps over the back of the pew into the pew behind us and is off, running very fast with all intentions to bolt like lightening from what appears to be a "non preferred activity" LOL Nancy assures me "I got him" I roll my eyes and say a silent prayer, it is the presence of this kind young man of Hispanic decent that blocks the touch down (out the door) He gets Jordan to stop, listen and begins a conversation, they take turns taking photos with his portable camera...and the two bond. Nancy returns to assure me this kind man is "safe" and Jordan is fine. The service stops to welcome our family, each member greets us with warm welcome. They proceed and the kids are provided colors and paper to draw "what you see" and are told a piece of candy will be the reward for their hard work. The kids each get a gift bag of activities. It was long but without much distraction. Many people applauded the kids and their behavior --even Jordan who joined us mid way. SO funny...At mid point they had 2 Baptism's being conducted. They were older men and the event was visible from our seat although it was waist high only with a red velvet curtain that opened and was very visual. Jordan was watching but wanting to be a participant...I asked him to look closer...see the men--the pastor and the man's sponsor..they were older with white grey hair..SANTA'S BROTHERS...Quick thinking don't you agree??? So I let Jordan know that maybe Santa is watching us??? the curtain closed; Jordan pondered and then asked...but where is the reindeer??? The man behind us held back a full out laugh.. After service we went to the dining area for the feast. Was wonderful, simply wonderful. Great male role models to help, lots of grand food. The Pastor sent us on our way after much conversation with a turkey for the holidays. THANK YOU. A lovely experience.
WE rush back to Nancy's house to get the other half of the prepared picnic (pot luck) food and hurry to the park a little behind schedule. The park is FULL of Ft Lauderdale friends. It was a blast, MUSIC, GAMES, ARTS & CRAFTS, HAYRIDES, GAMES, KIDS and most of all the PIE EATING CONTEST.... Kaitlyn entered with no idea what was to be..... she got into and I mean got into her pie.
The park was big, lots of wooded areas for trails. One Dad took the kids for a nice nature walk which Tressa enjoyed. Keirsten was preoccupied with teenage boys while on the phone with teenage boys from home...GET OFF THE PHONE was said more times than I can count. The kids played organized games under the direction of Dawn's husband Gary. He is a school psychologist and organizes kid camps so perfect role for Gary. Lucas was in heaven wondering around among tons of kids until he took a spill....dirt in the mouth which set him into a terrible mood. At first I thought he touched the grill and burned his fingers but in the end it was the texture of the mouth full of dirt that made all the drama...He was content rocking to the music for the remainder of the day. The playground was on the other side of the road...posing one issue which did happen... Jordan and Steven go off once. A firm time out ended leaving without an adult. Jordan took many many photos with my camera. The kids ate more food than I want to know....Tressa managed to keep to salad and some low cal items for the promise of a slice of pie. I was very pleased with her as sooooo sooo sooo much food was there, a hog roasting, turkey, meatballs, oh my goodness I can not begin to tell you the 10 large picnic tables loaded with food. Emma was a bit clingy and showed some stranger anxiety this trip. OMGoodness the funniest thing happened. At the table next to us was a local school special needs classroom aide. She had a half an eye on the kids and it was HYSTERICAL (believe me I did not know until after) Steven like all where serving themselves some food and drink... Have you seen the new labels for Bud Lite???Well very much like Regular Pepsi, same blues same colors just different graphics and not enough difference for Steven to NOT NOTICE...well not notice until the first swig!!!!! ROTFL..... You had to be there. He didn't know what to do. He did know it was not soda. He slid the can next to Emma's porta bed. He went to get another and he was much more careful this time.... When I hear him open another can so quickly it makes me question..he gets very nerves. I see what has happened and question him...He doesn't know what to say. It was too cute.. I asked; Did you think it was Pepsi? He said loud: IT'S NOT PEPSI MOM!
We left the party about 5 to get back to Nancy's for potty and get on the road for home. The kids were in their own beds by 8 pm... tired little baby bears.
