July 2017

The day after Claire got out of the hospital we wanted to get out and go somewhere. So we took a short drive to Campbell's Covered Bridge to explore. We found our first painted rock and took it with us to relocate at our next stop. Claire really wasn't feeling very well still. She was so thin and frail. She needed carried quite a bit. After checking out the little bit of a walking trail and scenery at the covered bridge, we stopped by Furman to feed the ducks, fish, and turtles. There we deposited our rock we had found at the covered bridge, and Claire found another one!

A couple more days later, Claire had finally started to turn the corner and felt well enough to return to dance class. It was also Dress Like a Cow Day at Chick Fil A. So, of course, we donned our cow spots and ears to get free dinner. 

July 14 was Paul's last day working for General Dynamics in Marion, Virginia. He was tired of having to drive to Virginia and spend the night every week and wanted a change. So, he had given notice, enrolled in real estate school, and on his last day, we tagged along for his final trip. The kids and I spent some time at the park while he took care of business and then we played an extremely hot game of putt-putt.

Mimi and Pop Pop got a second batch of baby chicks. There were 4 of them and they named them after the 4 girls. The blond chick was named Claire.

Claire got some hand-me-down toys from the neighbors. She loved getting the boys to play Pretty Pretty Princess with her, and they were oddly willing to oblige.

The neighbors also got Sam to eat his very first taco (he loved it) and then he had his first ever hamburger (not his favorite meal, but at least he ate it!).

Some great friends and I went to Atlanta for an evening to enjoy dinner and a comedy show. It was a fun time getting away and chatting/laughing together. However, the show ended up being rather crass and Holly felt exceptionally awkward the whole time (going to this particular show was her idea) and finally insisted that we walk out.