Valentine's Weekend

B and Paul M worked out a trade off for babysitting for Valentine's weekend.  We would have our date on Friday night (the 13th) and they would watch our kids.  Then Saturday we would keep the cousins and they would have a date.  It worked out great.  I was concerned that we might have to cancel because early Friday morning, on my way home from the Y, Cherry's power steering went out.  I was able to pull into a parking lot and called B.  He came to us and drove Cherry, while I drove the Camry with the 3 kids (R was in school) to Firestone.  Firestone had just worked on Cherry's power steering pump, so it was naturally the first place we thought to go. They basically said they couldn't fix it and we needed to go somewhere else.  That was more than frustrating so B brought us home and went back to Firestone and met a tow truck there and towed Cherry to a mechanic all the way down town Houston.  I had the kids at home and R came home from school.  Since it was Friday, she didn't have any homework, so I let them watch TV while I got ready for our date...if we were still going to have one.  I think B got home around 5 pm and jumped in the shower very quickly.  We managed to drop our kids off at Anna's around 6 pm and then grabbed dinner at Panda Express and ate in the car. 

We originally were going to dinner and a movie, but a couple from church asked if we wanted to see a play with them.  It was As You Like It (Shakespeare) so of course B was excited.  We like this couple and still want to make Christian friends so we ditched our boring plans and decided to join them.  The play was at 8:00 down town at UH.  It took us about 50 minutes to drive there from Katy, TX and that's why we grabbed fast food on the way.  The play was good and I was happy to hang out with Matt & Shara.  They have 3 kids and are expecting their fourth in April.  She stays home and Matt is some VP at some business some where.  I think we got home around 11:30 and crashed, but had to wake up early to go get our kids for their soccer games.  I don't remember the times they played or if they won/lost, but we always have fun watching them play on Saturday mornings.

 After soccer we headed to Erica and Arts house (MOPs friend) for a Valentine's lunch/party.  Art was making home made pizzas and Erica had cute crafts and games for the kids.  It was really a fun time and all the kids exchanged little valentines at the end.  Our kids took a quick nap when we got home, but then Marcus & Mandy arrived and shortly after, the Marshes with all the cousins.  A & P had their reservations for 6:00 so they came by around 5ish.  We were excited to have all the kids at our house.  I had planned to cook, but Marcus wanted Mexican so we drove to Jimmy Changas for dinner.  Typically we find seats at Jimmy Changas rather quickly, but not this night.  It was Saturday, Valentines Day, and about 6 pm so we waited, waited and waited.  Our beeper finally flashed and it was 6:50.  Avery and I had about 15 minutes before we needed to leave for her bat mitzvah.  We ordered and they brought it out quickly and then we left.  B, M & M ate with all the kids and from what they tell me, it was good and relatively peaceful.  When I got back to Jimmy Changas, they were outside and the kids were playing in the play area again.  **I need to stop and say that we were driving Ruby since Cherry was in the shop, A & P let us borrow Ruby for the evening**
Around 8:30, M&M headed back to College Station and we took the Marsh cousins back with us.  It didn't take them long to fall asleep and B went to pick up Avery at 11:30 and because I fell asleep. 

The next morning, we headed to church at 9:30 and then back home for lunch.  The kids were great and we had a great time.  A & P came and picked up their kids (and Ruby) around 5 and then our family went to Awana at College Park Baptist Church.  A fun weekend full of love and family!