A Mayberry/Country Girl Day (And More Nashville Outings)

Last week, Joy, Luke, and I went along with Jason on a business trip to Nashville, except we were able to play during the day while he had to take classes.

Here's the kids out on the balcony at our hotel...



We did get dad to ourselves in the evenings though....going out to dinner and then coming back to the hotel for swimming.





The most memorable highlight of our week in Nashville was meeting Mandy, a sweet blogging friend, and her children, Zach and Leah Kate. We met at a beautiful park with lots of playground equipment for the kids, who, by the way, hit it off quite well. It was a beautiful breezy day for a picnic outing.



I really enjoyed talking with Mandy on our shady park bench! She's a sweet Christian lady, and it's very obvious that she loves her family and home dearly. We found we have much in common and found lots to talk about....non-stop. Meeting Mandy on her blog has been a blessing, but meeting her in person was even more special!



Mandy makes wonderful blocks, signs, and more through her business Creekside Creations........and she brought me these!



I love them and can't wait until this weekend to start my fall decorating. Thank you, Mandy!

At the end of our picnic, the kids schemed together and thought swimming would be nice and smoothly persuaded us. Mandy and I got to talk even more later, as the kids swam in the pool at our hotel (well in between me jumping up and running back and forth because Luke was bailing off into the water after the big kids, even when they weren't prepared)!



It was a wonderful outing and I'm so glad they could meet up with us! Thank you, Mandy, Zach, and Leah Kate!

In addition to our outing with Mandy, we found a great mall on one day and the fleamarket at the fairgrounds on another day where I did a little "me" shopping for my birthday. :)

One day we visited the Discovery Center and Joy and Luke had a great time. It was two floors of fantastic hands-on kids' fun!

















Another day, we found The Monkey's Treehouse, which is a huge indoor fantasy playground. It was geared more for younger ones, but Joy had a good time playing with the little kids. I suppose all the school-aged children were in school at that time.







Luke was content to sit and play with cars, trucks and planes. I had to laugh though because he was trying to pull off a tower that was attached to a play table and a little older boy of about four or so was telling Luke, "YOU CAN'T MOVE THE EQUIPMENT". Of course, Luke didn't understand what he was saying and he just parroted back what the boy said in exactly the same tone. I'm sure the boy thought he was being sarcastic when actually that's the way he's learning his English, by copying phrases he hears. Anyway, it gave me a chuckle, even though I'm sure a certain little four year old boy wasn't too pleased with him. :)



Joy enjoyed the treehouse and playing around with the dress up and doll house....just for fun (and making some of those moms stare at her she said). I'm super blessed with this girl who is always such a help to me and so good natured about it too!



We're back home now and I have to say, especially after living out of a hotel room for 5 days/nights.....

There's no place like home!