First we gathered the grandparents, Aunt Lyndsey, and cousin Callaway, and then we were on our way. We started at Cracker Barrel, which was delicious! Sam had shrimp, Cora had butter with a bit rolls, and Eli ate anything he could get.
Then off to the mall, for the primary purpose of visiting Build-A-Bear. Our kids have never done this before, so we had them pumped up. It seemed the Beverly Hillbillies had come to town! Unfortunately, as we walked through the mall to Build-A-Bear we first passed a candy store, of which Sam has never seen the likes and he may have gotten a cavity just looking.
Then the objects of our demise appeared just before we reached B-A-B: mechanical rides. We let the kids sit on them for a while, without putting money in (we weren’t that out of character). Eli was in heaven! Eventually we decided to move on so we pried them off the machines. Eli only whined at first. Once inside B-A-B he fussed more. Finally he all out through a fit as I was trying so hard to endear him to an animal. He threw each one on the floor, saying “NO”. Then we put him down and he made a dash for the door and the blasted mechanical rides!!!
So Sam and Cora had a great time making their new best friends and one for Eli, but he would have nothing to do with any of it. He was entertained out in the middle and each time they brought him into the store he cried, LOUD!
Cora made Hello Kitty. She picked a purple satin dress and glass slippers plus jammies and panties, of course. All evening she brushed it, changed its clothes and talked to it...that makes the trip worth it.
Sam made "Wolf Attack". He's a gray wolf, which Sam dressed in camo boxers, dessert camo clothes, and cowboy boots. He also growls ferociously. Before we left Sam said he wasn't that interested in stuffed animals...when we got there he took the longest of any kid in the store picking out his outfit! He definitely has a new sleeping buddy.Overall, it was a special day. It reminded us that Eli is Eli. He doesn’t deal with change too well…kinda like his momma. He was perfectly happy when we got back home, and that is exactly where he belongs. It’s hard to believe he’s been here a year…some days seem like it was yesterday, others like forever. Sam thanked God for Eli tonight, and Cora said, “I love Eli in my heart.” He truly is such a blessing.
The kids played and played with their animals when we got home. This is how we found Eli when we last checked on him in bed…sleeping and loving his new horse, Red. (I knew he’d come around eventually.)
And we are already planning next year’s celebration…dinner at home with cake.
1 comment:
Happy Eli Day!!!!! :)
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