Making Memories

Last weekend was all about family time. With Dan leaving for training next week, it was one of the last weekends we will have to relax and enjoy. Then there's training, and more training, and deployment. Our time together is dwindling down, even though the deployment isn't for several months still! But since Dan was gone for all the winter and spring last year, we are trying to treasure this time together and make the most of what is left.
So on Saturday, instead of sleeping in, Daddy got up early and made "yellow eggs" (scrambled eggs) for the kids. They love our big pancake/egg brunches! Then we went off to the toy store to get Daddy's early birthday present for Sophia-- roller blades! I didn't know they made inline skates for 2-year-olds, but we found some. They slide on over her shoes, and have a few wheel settings so we can limit her rolling abilities. But she actually does pretty well on them, and is already learning how to roll forward instead of just clomping around on them. She and Daddy had SOOO much fun playing with them.
That evening, we were celebrating Dan's birthday, so we had a friend come over to the house to stay with the kids. We put them down a little early, then drove down to Wilmington for dinner. It's about an hour away, so we only get down there once or twice a year, but the historic district right on the waterfront is pretty special. I had reserved a table for 2 on our own private balcony overlooking the water, at a restaurant vaguely reminiscent of old New Orleans. It was WONDERFUL! Right next door is a French cafe with a sofa lounge upstairs, so we went there after dinner to just hang out and relax. Alas, no drinks for pregnant me. :-( But it was s refreshing to get out without the kids and spend time together and feel like ADULTS! There were no highchairs in sight, and everyone else there was older than us--a rare occurrence in Jacksonville!
It was a lovely day, and a great way to celebrate his birthday. Whether or not he is home from deployment in time for his birthday next year, I hope we can treasure those memories throughout the next year!