Rethinking . . .

Okay, I take that back. You can do it all in one day! At least it felt like I did today! Wow! I'm completely exhausted so it's a quick jot and I'm off to get some zzzzzz's . . . new chapter, remember?!??!

Nearly flawless getting to school which I was so happy about. However, Charity didn't want much to do with breakfast. Hummm, not sure what we're going to do about this? Definitely going to need to go out and get some options this weekend.

She really did good. I'm so proud of her! I could tell she was slightly nervous. So I hung around and took pictures with her as more children and their parents arrived. Gramma and I have encouraged her that making a friend to chum with would make the day easier. It seems many of the other children either knew each other or were more outgoing. And as I hung around longer, Charity was getting more attached. Eeeeee!

Until finally Kylie sat down at the same table Charity was assigned to. Charity insisted I help her make that first friend. So I started a conversation with Kylie. Within a minute, Kylie asked Charity to play with the toys she was playing with. Charity's face lit up and she looked at me as if to say, Ok Mom, you can go now. Thank God! So I gave her a quick hug and kiss and told her and Kylie how much fun they would have. And since it was just a half day, it was time to go back and get her before I knew it.

Here is Charity before school. The picture doesn't show too much, but she's a little nervous bug! She could barely get out a smile.When I arrived, Charity's face was beaming! She had had so much fun. She really loved it! I'm so happy! I didn't think it would be a problem. She did good for the most part with Preschool. I'm so thankful we worked through all that separation stuff last year. Oh, it made today a breeze! Charity and I chatted slightly about her day, her telling me about the friends she was starting to make, but not remembering any names, and I asking her about the story, "The Kissing Hand" Mrs. Rhodes read to them (thus the hand around her neck). She said it was a book and that was it. I guess I can't asked for a long, detailed definition from a 5 year-old!

Here's my favorite picture of the day that Allison captured this morning. I love it because Charity's sitting there in her Kindergarten classroom like a big girl and she's okay! I told Allison, I did good all day, but when I saw this, I nearly broke down! Sooooo cute! (Notice the red heart!) Thank you so much for capturing this, Allison!!

Next we were off on our next adventure to downtown Franklin to Lillie Belle's . . . just after noon I might add. It was super crazy especially since I'd never driven there myself. I'm proud to say we made there and back home safely, even getting just a little lost! I guess I should have asked about parking when I made reservations yesterday. Thankfully I stumbled upon a free parking garage.

At Lillie Belle's it was a yummy salad trio for me: fruit, chicken and cranberry congealed. Yum! But the best part was catching up with my dear friends and sharing all the things that has been happening in our lives. Holly lives not too far from Nashville and is super busy trying to keep her head above the water in the midst of nursing school. Her mom lives in Maine and is down for a few weeks' visit. Holly's been so busy, it hasn't been possible for us to catch up until now. And I just love her mom, so when she's in town we really try to make meeting up happen. I think we found a new favorite place!

Don't you just want to dig in? :P I did! Rhonda loved her Spinach Quiche, Charity enjoyed her usually chicken nuggets and fries, and Holly may have enjoyed her ham on a crescent if they hadn't put the sauce on it that she requested be absent. Sorry Holly!

Did I mention even after our yummy meal at Lillie Belle's when strolling through downtown Franklin, we had to stop and get a Ben and Jerry's! Yep, that's why we're friends!! What a sticky mess I was, but man! was that Vanilla Health Bar Cone just divine!! Yes, I basically rolled home!

Charity donning a hat. An item always found at these quaint tea rooms! They're definitely one of my favorite place for a lunch with girlfriends.Not only do they serve good meals, but they take good pictures! Thank you Lillie Belle's!!

"Long lost" friends unite! Such a fun time!

Thank you, Rhonda and Holly, for taking time out of your mother/daughter visit to share with me. It meant a lot to me!! I love you gals lots!!