Lillian and Jimmy’s Birthday Weekends

I did not intend to let 2 weeks pass without posting but I guess we haven’t had too much going on. The week following New Years was full of sickness in our house. Matt got it first, Lillian had only been to school for a day and a half after Christmas break before the school called that she was sick too, and a few days later it hit me. Matt had it the worst and we were convinced it was Covid but his and Lillian’s tests were both negative. It fully extended the break by a week though because we didn’t go anywhere at all until she went back to school on Monday, the 10th. Last week was more normal. School, work, some hunting and play…

But it seemed like sickness was everywhere and we didn’t even know if Baton Rouge was going to be able to happen until last minute. (Lilli’s class of 33 was down to 9- everyone either sick or quarantined) 

Unfortunately, Dad and Janet did come down with Covid and were not able to come around this weekend, but we decided to go anyway and had the best time! We got there about noon on Saturday, just in time to celebrate Jimmy’s 60th birthday. Our family usually makes a big deal out of this milestone with a big party but between Covid and a 3 month old grand baby, he decided he wanted a normal family meal. We had pizza and king cake at Jen’s and got to celebrate him and love on the baby

I’d just bought myself a VR headset too and it was HILARIOUS to watch everyone play. We thought Jimmy might fall off the stool! 😂

They stayed almost 4 hours so it was a really nice visit. And after they left Jen, Allie and I took the 5 girls shopping and we had dinner at this little Italian place that had live music. We were the only table there and it was very cool. It had probably been 10 years since I’d had a night in Baton Rouge with no family dinner plans so it was cool to do something different and get some sister time. 

Our sleepover was at Jen’s and I got up Sunday morning and went to have coffee and breakfast with Nana at her place. She introduced me to all of her friends and we got a one on one, face to face visit for 2 hours. We talk everyday but that’s the most in person, quality time since before Covid for sure. I stopped by Dad’s on the way back too. I sat outside and he and Janet talked to me from 20ft away with us all in masks and I picked up the homemade king cakes he had made Lillian for her actual birthday. It was probably overkill since they didn’t still have symptoms but they weren’t technically out of quarantine. It was good to see them even if I couldn’t hug them and I’m so thankful they did so well and had no issues.

When I got back to the girls, the birthday party day began. Kaylee had come with us from Bossier (since this is the only party we will do I told her she could invite one friend- she wants the weekend before and after her actual birthday to be spent hunting); and Piper’s cousin on Ryan’s side, Quinn came as well. Lilli, Quinn and Piper talk in a group text and FaceTime all day everyday but they had never really hung out in person. We went to UpTown Climbing where Jen is a member first. Daniel met us there too and it was so good to see him! 

Those girls were fearless! They were at the top in no time! Katie was a little hesitant but I was so proud of her because she faced her fears and got higher and higher every time. 

We only had minutes to get ready after that before meeting the family at a Mexican restaurant for an early dinner at 4:00. It was a good meal and we had my homemade chocolate sheet cake for dessert. 

(I’d made a small cupcake too so Lillian didn’t have to blow out candles on the cake- the new mom in the group is very cautious 😉) 

By 6:00 we were at the hotel and getting ready to swim. Allie and I left rock climbing about 45 minutes before the rest of them and decorated and they were surprised to see it. 

They swam for a couple of hours and Jen and Allie kept me company at the pool before they went home. And then we went back to the room for showers, face masks and playing with the VR. I highly recommend having such an active day before a 6 girl sleepover because they were all voluntarily going to sleep about 10:00. 

They still weren’t happy when I woke them up to get breakfast before their Moms came and we had to get on the road though. 😂 But the weekend turned out really well. As I was falling asleep Lillian came over an kissed me and thanked me for a fun day and party. A HUGE deal in front of cousins and friends. And a great weekend for all. ❤️❤️