3 Nights in Paris

 On Monday morning, Mother and I packed it up and drove south to that lovely Tennessee town of Paris.  

We started our visit with an early morning stroll/bike ride with Cousin Caroline.  I forgot how unbearably hot it can be down there.  I was a sweaty mess from pushing G in her stroller.

We cooled off by swimming in the pool.

We swam a lot, and only during that first dip did G wear a bathing suit.  I hate 2 piece bathing suits on babies, as I think it makes them look like little baby skanks.

I learned though that 2 piecers are convenient.

Diapers are not and wet one pieces are hard to wrangle off a writhing baby.

So our classy gal swam in a swim diaper.

I may change my stance on 2 piece bathing suits soon.

Aunt Shirley started our parade of visitors by stopping for an evening visit.  Genevieve took a nap and awoke all during her visit.  Perfect timing!

The Perry crew came next.  Shelli and Craig are responsible for my marriage.  They were our matchmakers.

Lee Perry was quiet during the visit.

I think he was overwhelmed by the bossy mouth breather that crawled all over him, all while wearing two bows in her hair.

The expression on G's face in this photo is so me, I can't even get over it.

Callie brought her mad Pinterest braiding skills to the event.  She can do any braid imaginable.

Naturally, I suggested we have a braiding party, where she was the only worker.

She agreed and the fun commenced.

YaYa got a partial braid.

Sister Katie got a fish hook/something or other.

I think she gave her mother a traditional French braid, but I can't be sure.

Then Caroline...

I got the Katniss braid.

Callie was even able to braid her own hair before departing.

That's 6 braids total, people.

It was fabulous.

Craig and Lee declined a braid.

We spent the morning in Murray shopping on Wednesday.

Caroline agreed to wear one of G's bows.

We went back to Paris and visited Joey, one of Trinity's oldest pals.

Instead of shaking hands or hugging, Genevieve greets people by removing their glasses or sunglasses.

As Stephanie Tanner would say, "how rude!"

We had a ladies' lunch at Paulettes.

Caroline spilled her water and G banged a lot on the table, so no one really thought we were ladies at that point.

We then headed to G's 1st haircut, at the lovely Illusions salon.

Look.

So happy.

The consultation with Chaunda was flawless.

It was proving to be a pivotal moment in G's lifelong beauty regimen.

Look!

Moroccan Oil!

This is going to be great!

Still keeping her act together...

watch the spinning wheel...

Oh, hell!

This lady be touching my head.

Get her off, get her off.

It was a scene.

I really had not been embarrassed by my child until that moment.

There was back arching, screaming, and swatting madly at Chaunda.

It was bad.

Fortunately, the other people in the salon were good sports, and Chaunda thought it was a hoot.

It was kinda funny

if your thing is taunting babies, which I guess I can be down with.

That magical hair princess managed to give her a cut despite the distractions.

Finally, G composed herself as though nothing had ever happened.

It was an eventful trip to Paris-

Summer Events

I haven't updated this little blog for a long while, so I'll start with last weekend.  Genevieve seemed unenthused about her plethora of toys, so I decided to play dress up with her in my closet.

Who knew that boxes and bags could be so fun?

Oh, I did.

That's why I enjoy shopping.

She was quite content wearing my white feather fascinator.

I wore it for my raucous bachelorette party in Louisville.

I'm wearing a dress here, I promise.

That looks risqué.

I had no thoughts when I donned that little feathery head piece that 3 short years later I would have a blue eyed nugget wearing it in my closet for playtime.

No, I was thinking mostly about vodka that night.

I also went to have my nails done, courtesy of sister and her fam for my birthday.

I had a pedicure, since we all know I still gnaw my fingernails off like some sort of crack addict.

The nail salon was filled with Genevieve's nursery lights.

Abby and Papi came to visit, so we had to gear up.

Abby requires 3 things on her visits:

International House of Delight Coldstone Creamery coffee creamer (she's made me a fan as well),

bananas,

and

Simply Apple juice.

Don't try to fake her out.  She needs these exact things to be content in the morning.

Genevieve kept them in the cart at Meijer.

Rather, she continuously tried to toss them from our cart.

We celebrated Papi's birthday by grilling out and having margaritas and cake.

*G not pictured since this was taken at like 7:15 p.m, and you know she's out by like 6:45 for the night*

Once Abby had her juice, coffee and banana, she was ready and willing to feed our ladybug.

Happy Birthday to sweet Papi!

A Couple of High School Graduates

We went to celebrate my twin cousins' high school graduation on Saturday afternoon.

Their house and yard were party ready.

Scott is going to Purdue and John will attend Ball State in the fall. They had these cute boxes to collect some checks and goodies.

In typical Betsy fashion, I brought the cake pops.

I love the above picture with their dad, my Uncle Kent.

This is really how I always think of them.

Here's the whole crew, with the graduates front and center.

Look at them, all young and fresh faced, surrounded by all of those old farts.

Scott and his girlfriend Rachel gave Genevieve the attention she demanded.

Aunt Cindi was numero uno at entertaining our lady.  She had toys at the ready.

G was enjoying herself tremendously, despite this look of consternation.

This one is a bit more pleasant.

It was a beautiful party!

My Birthday and Father's Day

We had a small fiesta on Saturday to celebrate my 34th birthday.  I enjoyed the Mexican theme.

We had margaritas, tacos and every kind of Mexican beer we could find.  

I decided to forgo the pinata, for the good of all.

We had a beautiful night to party.

I fall in love with our screened in porch more each time we use it.  It is perfect for summer evenings.

Meghan and Robby had a few Coronas.

Ryan, Megan and Mandy were in the sauce too.

Jenny, Whitney and I chillaxed on the couch.

Trinity was sure to capture Ryan getting more ice for his drink when I asked him to take a picture of me and Mandy.

He is so clever.

Mandy and I consider ourselves little changed over the past 20+years.

She can still kick my a** in any sport, be the life of any party, and make me laugh until I cry.

Genevieve spent the night with my parents, so we went to pick her up on Sunday.  We had a joint birthday/Father's Day hootenanny. 

There was cake and card consumption.

Dad liked his new griddle and thanked the Lord that he produced 3 such perfect children, two of which were present that day.

We have enriched his life so much, you see.

We called Papi to wish him a happy day too.  We'll celebrate with Abby and Papi this weekend.

Trinity's parents sent some photos of Sweet T.

I see a bit of Genevieve in this one.  

Boy, is he rompin' that umbrella ducky romper.

I love this one.

Trinity has adopted this pose that his dad perfected back in 1976.

Trinity with his dad and his grandfather.