huntsville

Caleb had to make a trip out of town last week and it worked out for the boys and I to go along with him. He and I have been itching to take Jack and Jon to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and this provided us with the perfect opportunity. Other than that one event, we didn’t have much of an agenda so the boys and I spent a lot of time exploring the city while Caleb worked during the day. Regarding what the kids loved most about living in a hotel for five days, it’s a toss up between the pool and the breakfast served every morning in the lobby. I thought Jonathan’s eyes might pop out of his head as he surveyed the options. Poor child did not know it was possible to consume waffles AND cinnamon rolls at the same meal.

It’s fun to get a different perspective on your life when you leave for a few days. I realize just how busy the animals around this house make me feel on a daily basis… and also that I enjoy taking care of them. So it’s worth it.

Also, our dinner conversations are so much more diversified when we aren’t stuck in the rut of “how was your day?” In fact, several times I caught myself zoning out as the guys got in depth about the effect of gravity on tectonic plate shifting. Okay, so I don’t have a lot to contribute to that sort of conversation. And that’s why I was really excited when the topic one evening was ‘which Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle is your favorite’. Finally, something I know a bit about.

“My favorite is the one that eats pizza,” I interjected excitedly.

Conversation ceased as they all turned to look at me. “What?” I asked.

Caleb smiled at me sympathetically and said “Honey, they all eat pizza.”

Fail. But I did try.

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The Greene Street Farmer’s Market takes place downtown every Thursday evening. Had we been a little closer to home I would have left here with a ton of fresh vegetables. Instead we settled with a few jars of homemade jam and two rainbow flavored popsicles.

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Further exploration of the city. We were smitten with the charming buildings and the flower planters filled to overflowing.

We spotted a mallard duck and the guys went right down to the water and started talking to it. We hadn’t seen Wobble in three days so I guess they were duck deprived.

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The weather this summer has my head spinning. It was almost too cold to swim but the boys didn’t let that stop them from spending hours every morning in the hotel pool. I wish I had their tolerance for frigid water and goggles and misshaped noses.

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The boys and I did a lot of things that I didn’t take pictures of (like spend all of one afternoon in the mall), but one day they chose to visit the military museum (surprised? I’m not). This visit came complete with several veterans who were extremely happy to walk with us through the rows of history and answer two million little boy questions. We were even bestowed a couple of tidbits I could have done without.

ps. never call a “weapon” a “gun” in front of a Vietnam veteran. Trust me.

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We visited the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on our last day. It was a great way to go out with a bang. The boys were every bit as enamored as we imagined.