Nashville time

It was about time to see William and his parents again. Ha, you notice how the grandchildren are being named first?

We got on the road on Thursday June 28 at 6 am. The weather was so nice and the sky was blue. I thought how beautiful the Blue Ridge Mountains looked and the valleys and the cows on the hillsides. But that unfortunately was only the first half of the day. The second half looked like this!

Around 1 pm or so we stopped in Kodak, TN, to pick up Helen's friend Suzanne. She had moved the day before from Nashville and needed a ride back to pick up her car. Our timing was a great coincidence for her. It gave us some time to chat with her. She has always been a good friend to Helen and William loves her too.

William was at camp on Friday but his mother came for lunch. Helen had wished for Tomato Pie. Not a problem. She put these two photos of her plate on FaceBook. I think she loved it (ha-ha).

After his camp we picked William up from Helen's house with his suitcase. First stop: Dairy Queen for a blizzard. Omi is getting better at the selfies.

William spent two nights with us. We had a good time. Lots of playing.

Saturday we went to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. James had heard that the big train set had been moved and supposedly improved. The gardens open at 9 am and we were there pretty close to that. It was going to be a HOT day. Yes, capital letters.

William made a beeline right to it.

It was nice. It was different. Not sure it was an improvement. And two of the 4 trains didn't run. I have the feeling William was disappointed.

But there was more to see. There was some kind of art scattered all over. When I was taking photos I saw that William had his own idea about art. I thought his idea was cute.

He always liked the little streams making little waterfalls and he especially likes the stepping stones.

Good thing I had a bottle of water in the car. We had hoped to have lunch in the restaurant but everything was closed for renovations. Nothing open. Not even water available. And yes, it was so hot. James and I can handle it but William suffered. No need. We had had fun under the trees and at the ponds, now it was time to leave.

Our suggestion to go to the Aquarium Restaurant in the Opry Mills Mall was well received. Ha-ha, the mall is air-conditioned too. We had an excellent table and it didn't matter that it took a long time for the food to come.

We took the long way to exit the restaurant and walked the whole circle around. So many different fish. Ha-ha, only a mother could love these faces. 

Back at the townhouse I kept my promise to William that we would bake. Choco Pumpkin cupcakes are always his favorite. A quick check of the ingredients. Papa went shopping. Then we did it. William was very eager. He even opened the pumpkin can with the can opener. That was difficult work.

Battleship, Connect 4, Dominoes ...

And he wins most! But he doesn't mind losing either. I love him for that.

Sunday morning church. Pork and Spinach Pie for lunch (another wish from Helen but done with Turkey breakfast sausage). William wasn't keen on it because he said that he doesn't like cooked veggies. Well, sometimes you have to cook it and he did eat a portion. Reluctantly he admitted that it was not bad.

We had nice visits with Helen and Ben too. We had to discuss what happens when we fly back in from England (stay tuned). Monday it was time to re-pack. Helen came by for lunch ... more quiche/pie. The recipe makes two. 

The whole time I also worked on our church monthly newsletter The Cloak (whenever I could not to take time away from William). And as if making the Cloak wasn't time-consuming enough I had major computer problems. To be honest this oh so clever and careful couple was scammed. But I went on a Apple chat session and they solved everything until 2 in the morning. I was upset with myself but also quite proud that I was able to take care of it. I learned a lot during all of this and think all my gadgets are now even in better shape. There is always something good in everything.

Yes, Monday had come really fast. Now we just have to wait until it is time to close the suitcase and call the Uber to the airport. We are so looking forward to see some of James' family we don't see very often. Excited!