2022 :: week 42

October 16

To make life easier for my dad we prepare my mom's pill planners every other week. This week Lauren helped me organize the various pills and supplements. 

October 17

Elliott had his basketball evaluation with Upward Monday night. Previous years Anthony has taken the boys so I didn't know what to expect, except I thought it would go quickly. Apparently they changed the way they offered the parent orientation and that took much longer than in the past. I was getting pretty hangry by the end, but Elliott had a positive attitude and did great when it was his turn to go. I really appreciate his cheerful disposition.

October 18

After school Elliott had Cole and Nicholas over to play. Of course Miles wanted to play with them too. This week Miles and I went on a few birthday-related errands to prepare for Lauren's birthday. In the course of our shopping Miles told me about several things he wanted for his birthday "when he turns 7." I told him he was first going to turn 4, then 5, then 6 and THEN 7. He told me he was just going to be 7. This kid adores his brother Elliott something fierce.

October 19

Wednesday evening it felt like I went back in time and was living my 2014 life. Tony is at a conference in Savannah for the week so I was parenting solo. We met some friends at Scouting Park after school. By the time we were done it was basically time for dinner and we decided to eat at Chick-fil-A. We ate inside and it was the first time the kids were in a play place since before Covid. I would often take Will and Lauren to restaurants with indoor play places when Tony used to travel for the government, especially when it was chilly. After dinner the kids begged to go to the pet store so we did that too. I feel like I spent a lot of time meeting up with friends at the park and visiting pet stores when Will and Lauren were close to Miles' age. Now our evenings are full of afterschool extracurriculars and sports. Both are good. I just felt serious nostalgia while I sat in my booth and watched the kids laugh and play in the play place and again when we walked out of the pet store and saw a beautiful sunset. 

October 20

Miles and I spent some time with Memaw after preschool Thursday. We helped Memaw take a shower and eat her midday meal. We hadn't seen Memaw since Sunday and she seemed a lot stronger than she had on Sunday.

October 21

Friday we celebrated 11 years of Lauren Jean! The kids had the day of school, but Lauren hardly had an extra free time. In the morning Tyler and Mikey came over so their parents could go to their parent/teacher conferences. Right after they left I went up to the school to meet with Elliott's teacher (she reported that he's bright and kind and a friend to all). When I returned home we went to Lamar's to pick up birthday doughnuts per Lauren's request. We ate lunch and then opened presents and sang to Lauren. In the afternoon her friend Katie came by, she worked on one of her new Harry Potter Lego sets and received a few birthday Marco Polos and facetimes. At 4:30pm she had her piano Halloween Party where she performed "Scary Larry." I picked her up from her piano party and took her straight to the house of a soccer teammate who was throwing a Halloween party for their team plus a few friends. It was a busy day and I think Lauren felt a lot of love. 

October 22

Saturday afternoon the Allred's hosted their annual Halloween Party. What made this party extra notable was that Memaw was able to come! It was her first social excursion from the house since she had her stroke (doctor's appointments don't count). In the afternoon Lauren had her final soccer game of the season. The Pink Thunder won, remaining undefeated for the year!