I thought Weekends Were for Relaxing?

Last spring we tried something called "Friday Family Fun Nights." And that is what they are. We try to do something together after dinner. It doesn't have to be something big or expensive, the idea is to get out of the house and spend some time together as a family.

Now that summer is over and things are settling down, we decided to restart the fun nights. So last Friday we headed down to Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. We didn't stay long, but we did run around the battlefield and then we drove up the mountain road to see the views from the top.

It was spectacular. The air was clear and the sky was blue. We could see Stone Mountain clearly in the distance (something we've never been able to do before because of all the haze) and the city looked amazing from up there.

We had such a great time we decided to come back later in the weekend and walk up the mountain.

Since Josh had his first baseball game on Saturday afternoon, we decided Sunday morning would be a good time to go.

Josh did great in his baseball game. Sam and I didn't go, we had some errands to run, but Rich said he did really well. He hit the ball each time he got up and had some really good throws.

Then Saturday afternoon, I was invited to a book signing in Buckhead for the book "Sleep is for the Weak." I got to meet Kristin Chase from Motherhood Unsensored, Mir from Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda, and Rita Arens from Surrender, Dorothy! In my star-struck awe, I forgot I had my camera and didn't get their pictures! D'oh! They were all really nice and I'm so happy I got to meet them!


So Sunday morning we got up early. I had heard that the Target by us was getting Wii's in and wanted to get down there to get one for the boys Christmas present. I wasn't the only one that heard this, four others were waiting there too. But, the manager came out about 10 minutes before opening and announced they had none. Apparently, the stores aren't even told when the shipments will be coming in because the 18-wheelers will get carjacked. How sad is that?

So, I returned home empty handed (but as luck would have it we did find one on the internet) and we got the kids all buttered up, hatted and ready to go on a hike.



Notice the propeller on top of Sam's hat. He received many comments about that hat and was only slightly surprised that he couldn't "fly" up the mountain when the propeller was spinning.

They did really well.

Okay, so Josh complained that he was hungry and his legs were tired after only 5 minutes and he kept asking those coming down the mountain "how much further?" until we had to threaten him with more exercise and less video games if he didn't just suck it up.

And Sam was just slow. He did well for the parts he walked. But poor Rich carried him up most of the way.



Finally! We made it to the viewing area at the "almost" top and could stop for a snack!



We continued on past several cannons that had been dragged up by confederate troops ...



.... up to the very top of the mountain...



(they're standing on the triangulation station marker at the top)

... and back down the other side... until we got to the road, then we followed the road down. It took longer, but was much easier. At least for Sam.



We were all quite hot and yucky when we got home at lunch time.

Josh had another birthday party on Sunday -- that's the third birthday party in as many weeks! He went bowling this time -- he got the high score (96) thanks to back to back strikes. He had fun, but I'm hoping there won't be any more parties for a bit.

So what we thougth was going to be a nice relaxing, easy-going weekend ended up being quite busy! I was a bit happy that they all went back to school today so I could get some rest!