Flat Marian's Adventures in Tennessee
Monday, March 16 - Today, I arrived at the LeGrand's around lunch time. Aunt Cindy was home alone. Since I had travelled in an envelope, I didn't have room to pack any clothes. So while my cousins were still in school, Cindy had a little time to help me with my wardrobe.
Monday, March 16 - My cousin Aaron was so excited to see me when we picked him up from school.
Monday, March 16 - My cousin Ethan is the tall, goofy one with the glasses. The LeGrand's live in Amherst Estates. They have a big yard with lots of trees. Aaron and Ethan love to play outside.
Monday, March 16 - Ethan is on an AAU basketball team. I got to meet some of his teammates at practice.
Tuesday, March 17 - Aaron loves "Very Berry" bagels for breakfast and shared some with me.
Tuesday, March 17 - With two growing boys in the house, the food doesn't stay around long. This morning, Cindy and I headed to the grocery store to stock up on some necessities.
Tuesday, March 17 - Ethan and Aaron attend North Lee Elementary. Each Tuesday and Thursday after school, the library remains open for a few hours for Family Reading. Their school has an Accelerated Reader program in which the students earn points by testing on the books they have read. Right now, Ethan is the top point earner in the school. That is so COOL! Today, Cindy read "Flat Stanley" while we were there.
Tuesday, March 17 - Uncle Scott works long hours at a paper mill. And then stays busy with the boys after he gets home. Finally late in the evening, he gets to take a break and read a magazine or watch TV.
Wednesday, March 18 - Aaron shared his cereal with me this morning at breakfast. I really think Aaron likes having me here.
Wednesday, March 18 - Cindy exercises every morning after she drops the boys off at school. Today, I joined her for a workout at the YMCA. I feel stronger all ready.
Thursday, March 19 - Aaron got up and turned his alarm off and then went back to bed. He just wanted to sleep because he wanted this day to be over. Aaron has several tests in school today since Spring Break is starting and there is no school tomorrow. And after school today, he is supposed to have some teeth pulled to make room for his permanent teeth. I can understand why Aaron didn't want to get out of bed.
Thursday, March 19 - Ethan forgot to set his alarm. But I didn't mind waking him. He can sure be cranky in the mornings.
Thursday, March 19 - Cindy and I went to the beauty shop. What a treat!
Thursday, March 19 - Aaron wasn't too happy to be sitting in the dentist chair. I tried to comfort him. He was supposed to have four teeth pulled because the orthodontist had recommended this for him to allow room for his permanent teeth to come in. Aaron is so loud, it's really hard for me to believe that his mouth isn't big enough. But after a short wait, his dentist decided it would be best to have a pediatric dentist do this procedure. Then, Aaron was so excited he would get to keep his four favorite teeth for another day.
Thursday, March 19 - Aunt Cindy plays bunco with a group of ladies one night each month. Usually there a no children allowed. But they made an exception for me. I really enjoyed meeting all of her friends. Mrs. Gina (the one on the right) said she would have brought her Flat Niece if she had known I was going to be at bunco. Her Flat Niece is visiting all the way from Idaho.
Friday, March 20 - This week, Grandpa David and Grandma Pat (who live in Monroe) are camping about 30 miles from the LeGrand Family's home with some of their friends. Wow! What a surprise to see them. Yeah! It's Spring Break. Since they didn't have to go to school today, Ethan and Aaron camped out with Grandpa David and Grandma Pat last night.
Friday, March 20 - This morning, Aaron actually did have his teeth pulled. But the denstist pulled five instead of four. What a bummer! He pulled the four he was supposed to pull and then one other little baby tooth that was just barely hanging on. Aaron was pretty sad for a few hours. He did not like the numbness in his face and mouth. But Ethan was a good big brother and helped me comfort Aaron.
Friday, March 20 - Grandpa David, Grandma Pat, and their friends (Mrs. Laura and Mr. Mike) have dinner with all of us. I think they really just wanted to make sure Aaron is doing okay after such a traumatic day. He sure seems fine to me.
Saturday, March 21 - Ethan really loves baseball. Today he played in a tournament in Knoxville, TN. So that is where we spent the whole day. I tried to offer him support and encouragement. I told him to try his hardest to be his best.
Sunday, March 22 - Today, I helped Scott make a delicious breakfast before we left for another day of baseball.
Sunday, March 22 - The baseball tournament was over for Ethan's team this afternoon. But as soon as we got back home, he was outside playing basketball.
Sunday, March 22 - Aaron and I have had enough of the sun for one weekend. Baseball tournaments are really long. So after dinner, we decide to play indoors for a while. Aaron and Ethan made a "city" on paper. We played with their hot wheels cars on this city map. Of course, playing with cars would not have been my first choice. But when they visit me, they have to play with my girl toys.
Monday, March 23 - Today, I went with my cousin Ethan to get his braces. Since he is an NC State fan, he chose alternating red and black bands. They look so COOL!
Monday, March 23 - It is so beautiful in Tennessee. From the top of the hill across the road from where the LeGrands live, you can look to the East and you see the mountains that run along the North Carolina/Tennessee border. Today, it's a little hazy, but on some days the mountain peaks are crystal clear. I've heard that you can sometimes see snow on those peaks all the way from here.
Monday, March 23 - And from the same hill, you can look to the West and this view is just as beautiful. You can see the farms and houses in the valley.
Tuesday, March 24 - Today, Ethan and Aaron had chores to do. They had to get all of the leaves from out of the shrubs around the house. They were not very happy about that. But it didn't take them too long, once they stopped complaining.
Tuesday, March 24 - After Ethan and Aaron finished their yard work, we all got to go to the public library. Aaron and Ethan really love to read.
Tuesday, March 24 - Deer Park is this really cool park close to the library. We stopped there for about 45 minutes to play. I even got to meet one of Aaron's classmates.
Wednesday, March 25 - We packed for a little trip I didn't know even know about. Aunt Cindy assured me she cleared it with Marian and her mother. We are going to Richmond, Virginia. That is where Uncle Scott's mother lives. Aaron and Ethan are very excited they will get to see their grandmother.
Wednesday, March 25 - Uncle Scott had to work this morning. But he got off early and we hit the road. He is such a good driver.
Wednesday, March 25 - Aaron really loves cameras. And he took this "shakey" picture of Cindy and me. Since we were riding down the road at the time, I guess it was a little bumpy.
Wednesday, March 25 - Aaron and Ethan seem to always be hungry. They finally talked Scott into stopping for dinner at Bob Evans. Scott even let us order ice cream sundaes for dessert. Yummy!!!
Thursday, March 26 - Scott had promised his mother we would paint her bedroom. Since it rained all day today, it was a great day for this little project.
Friday, March 27 - With a little break in the rain, we headed to a local park to use a batting cage. Ethan and Aaron are always wanting to do something sports related.
Friday, March 27 - While Aaron and Ethan practice their batting skills, Cindy, Carolyn (Scott's mother), and I look for four leaf clovers. We actually found several of them. What great luck!!!
Saturday, March 28 - It rained again today. So we played indoors with cars, trucks, airplanes, and legos.
Saturday, March 28 - I'm not a big fan of playing with cars and trucks. But I really loved spinning around the house in this lego wagon. See how happy I am!
Saturday, March 28 - Since it was too wet to be outside, Carolyn showed us how to play marbles. Aaron must be the luckiest person in the world. He won every game. Ethan calls him the Lucky Duck because he wins everything.
Sunday, March 29 - We packed up and headed back to Cleveland, Tennessee. What a long trip!
Monday, March 30 - It's time to go. We said our goodbyes before I had to pack up. I've had a great time with the LeGrand Family. But I can hardly wait to get home to Marian. I miss her so much.
