More cousins time

Making the best out of the few days. William had been invited to spend the night from Wednesday to Thursday (23). Wade kept saying that the boys were having a good time playing outside, up the newly built treehouse and riding their bikes. Finally after lunch we retrieved William. Ha-ha, he had had a workout. 

Helen had told us weeks ago that she and William had wanted to see the Nashville Cheakwood lights but were not able to. James and I got tickets for this evening to see the lights at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Because of covid we had to have tickets and wear masks most of the time. We got them early enough and got them for the time we wanted. It had become very, very cold now though. Ha-ha, the masks warm your face though.

First we went into the big greenhouse. There was a huge Christmas tree and the orchid house still had a few blooms.

The lights were incredible though. I was happy to hear Helen saying several times that this exceded her expectations. It was pretty spectacular. Pictures don't do it justice, even though most are from Helen again.

We were bundled up but it was a cold, cold night (at 5:30 pm). At one place there was a fire. Can you see Helen and William at the other site?

William had seen a sign 'to the maze'. We almost missed it, but this was not what we had expected. Here it is and Helen and William somewhere there with the octapus behind it.

We had to pass one place with a line way too long but suddenly found another stand with hot chocolate. Yeah! Helen's is already gone but William is happy warming even his hands on it.

At the end we popped into the room with the gigantic model train. That was so fun. We could have spent a lot of time finding out about all the little details. 

Helen's VIDEO shows the engine puffing smoke.    (1:06 minutes)   And hot air balloons and planes hanging over the landscape.

In the library was an exhibition of Christmas trees decorated by different classes from different elementary schools. Very interesting (at least to me).

This tree in the back behind William in the next is decorated with flowers from the botanical garden collected and dried all summer long. I got an explanation how to do it but I think I will skip that as pretty it may be.

William found the puzzle more interesting. I think he found a piece in that short time.

On the way home we went to the Olive Garden for dinner. Yummy! 

December 24 - Christmas Eve

We all slept a bit longer. Helen and William prepared a frittata from a recipe they had brought. It is an excellent recipe. Kept it!

And then the cousins showed up. It was cold but the sun makes a big difference. James was with the boys in the back yard and as always - they rolled down our little hill - into the leaves which the yard people had NOT cleaned away yet. 

Ha-ha, for things not to get out of hand, Papa brought rakes and his blowers from the garage and the boys had a good time cleaning it up. 

After lunch when they had left, James, William and I decided to go for a little walk in the neighborhood. The sun was so tempting. 

Omi needs a photo. And here it is:

Wow, look how tall the boy already is. Or is Omi shrinking?

Helen and William had a surprise. They have to leave very early on my birthday so they decided to give me an early surprise. The cake was so delicious. No crums were left.

The Christmas service James and I prefer is the one starting at 11pm. So do Helen and William. It was very nice and meaningful. 

It was way past midnight before we were home. We had to do some chilling ...

 

... and some cuddling ...

... and some playing.

Yes, it got late. Another good day. Happy days!