They were so excited to go on an adventure. We stopped every few hours for James and were lucky enough to usually find grassy areas for them to run around. We stayed the first night in Little Rock and went on into Kentucky the second day. Three-fourths of the way through the first day, Nathan looks up and says, "Mommy, I get out and go home now." SO CUTE! But sorry babe, we aren't going home. He did the same thing on the way home. We drove past a hotel about 3 hours from home and he pointed out the window and said, "I go to the hotel now."
We stayed at my aunt's house out in the country. It is beautiful there. The house is built into a hill that slopes down to a creek. My cousin Andie- who I hadn't seen in 10+ years, brought her kids over for the weekend. Hayden s 4 and little Bailey is 2. They are sweet little kids and my boys loved having someone to play with. Papa came over that first night. He lives in a town nearby close to Mimi's nursing home.
He liked James. 
So did Bailey and Hayden. What's not to love!
After we got most of the munchkins (James was up) put down for the night the girls (Mom, Andie, Sandi, and myself) put together cupcakes for Mimi's 80th birthday party the next morning. Andie had this amazingly cute cookbook called Hello, Cupcake. It has great decorating ideas. I am excited to try them myself. Andie made the butterflies and froze them ahead of time. We did the assembly.
Butterflies are special for Mimi and Papa. When they were temple workers in the Dallas temple for a week each month they needed to find a way to make extra income to pay for the cost of traveling and accommodations. They made wooden butterflies and other things to hang outside. They sold them at craft shows and from their home. I have a few of those butterflies and they are one of my most prized possessions (I also LOVE butterflies)! Anyway, here are the finished products.
The next morning we went to the nursing home for Mimi's party. Mimi has Alzheimer's. She needs around the clock care and therefore lives in a home. This is not like any nursing home I have ever been in. First off, it didn't smell like a nursing home. And the staff were wonderful. You can tell they really care about the residents they serve. I was very impressed. Mimi was so excited to have company and everyone dote on her. She doesn't know who we are, but I think she knows on some level that we are people who love her. Papa sang a beautiful song to Mimi. It was a song he used to dedicate to her ages ago when he worked at a radio station. Mimi mutters a lot. Sometimes she says actual words, though they usually don't make sense. Evey once in a while she will have a moment of clarity. I loved that her voice sounded the same as it always did, even if it didn't make any sense. And she still has all her Southern charm. She is so sweet and smiling.
One special moment I had with Mimi was when she met James. I sat next to her with him and they locked eyes for a few moments. Without breaking eye contact Mimi said clear as a bell, "Your baby boy is an angel." And then it was right back to muttering. I started crying. I couldn't help it. It was very sweet and I am so very grateful she had the opprotunity to meet all my children. 
Papa, Mimi, Chiara, and James- the 20th great-grandchild
Papa, Chiara with James, Nathan, Neffie, Kenny, and MimiWe sang her happy birthday and the kids stole the show. Hayden delivered cupcakes to all the residents. He was a perfect little gentleman. Bailey played peek-a-boo around a post to the delight of many residents. Kenny showed Mimi her gifts (pictures of great-grandchildren and some quilting squares).
And Nathan supplied plenty of loves and hugs.
It was a great time. I have other stories and things about my trip, but James is getting antsy and wants my attention. We also went up to Indian for a visit with my dad's parents, bu I will post about that another day.
