The Good Times Continue

On Wednesday we set out bright and early for Frank Jackson State Park in Opp, Alabama.  This continues to be one of our favorite places to camp.  It is a park with everything important (a beautiful lake, full hook ups, and wifi).  It is also our favorite because it is located close to Joe and Judy.  Amelia was really looking forward to this trip because she was scheduled to have four days with her cousin, John.  You may remember John from a prior blog.  He is eight years old and Amelia loves him.  They play very well together probably due to his patience with his younger cousin.  We arrived and were setting up on our site when Joe and John drove up.  Of course, Amelia gave John a big hug which he politely endured.

After lunch at Joe and Judy's home, the kids spent the rest of the afternoon in the swimming pool.  Both love the water and it was nice to see them playing together while we sat in the shade ever watchful for their safety.  That night we went out to eat at a local restaurant.  (You can't rough it all the time, you know.)

The next day Judy and I took Amelia and John to Dothan.  We had a big day planned starting with lunch and fun at Chuck E. Cheese.  (You know they do have good pizza.)  This was followed with using all their tokens to play games.

John and Amelia have different "styles" when it comes to selecting what they want to do.  John studies the situation before he decides he wants to play. Amelia shoves the token in and worries about how to play after the game starts.

By the time they had used up their tokens, it was time to head out for the movie which was next on our agenda.  They cashed in their tokens for great prizes.  Amelia selected a little plastic bug and green fake teeth.  John (the big winner) got her a pink slinky with some of his winnings.  

Aren't these green teeth an appropriate prize for a sweet little girl?

I tried hard not to think about all the dirty hands that might have been involved in producing these things.

After stopping by the concession stand to purchase incredibly expensive popcorn and drinks, we settled in to watch the Disney movie, Epic.  I've linked to a review of the movie which is pretty much accurate; however, it did hold our attention.  In several places Amelia said she was scared and would climb into my lap, but afterwards she said she enjoyed the movie.

While we were away, Joe and Bubba kayaked on a portion of the Pea River.  Although the trip took only five hours, they encountered several rapids and this time Bubba had no option but to go over them along with his reckless younger brother.  Just look at that white water behind him!

This is a picture of Joe enjoying a delicious lunch of sardines... ugh!

We returned to our campsite on the lake where we were joined by Joe, Judy, and John for hamburgers.  Amelia helped a lot by carrying everything to the table and setting our places for our "picnic".

By this time we have had Amelia for six days and I can tell that she is beginning to miss her mom and dad a little.  That night after she was settled into her new Dora sleeping bag on her Dora sheets, she enjoyed a phone call with mom.

Amelia was listening to music on my i-pod while I was getting ready for bed.  By the time I finished, she was sound asleep without her story, her prayers, her "Jesus Love Me" or her hugs and kisses.  We had really had a busy day!  The next night she remembered that we hadn't had a story the night before, so we read two to make up for it.

Friday we went over to Joe and Judy's for a fish fry.  While I was trying to brush Amelia's hair, she was misbehaving and I asked her to stop twice.  The third time, I sent her to "time-out" on our bed in the back of the trailer.  She cried and carried on like I had beat her with a big stick.  (I always had my doubts about this "time-out" business before, but now I'm a believer.)  After several minutes of crying (me and her) she came out and told me she was sorry and we finished brushing her hair.  A popsicle made us both feel better.

Back at Joe and Judy's, the kids played games on the i-pad and the Wii. Finally Bubba had the fish fried and we sat down to a delicious meal of Fried Fish, Hushpuppies, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Fried Onion Rings, Fresh Cucumbers and Tomatoes AND Judy had baked a lemon pie AND she had baked a seven layer chocolate cake.  

Amelia and John spent the afternoon in the swimming pool.  Both of them seem to prefer being under the water most of the time.  It was another great day.

Back at the camp site, Bubba took Amelia out in his kayak.  She loved looking at the lily pads and their blooms.

Amelia enjoyed paddling the kayak.  After Paw-Paw gave her some pointers, she was ready to do it on her own.

We were back at Joe and Judy's Saturday by lunch time.  This time Joe manned the grill.

As you can see, we had Grilled Chicken, Corn, and Zuchinni.  It was delicious! That afternoon (although we had already had chocolate cake for dessert), we had homemade ice cream.  John ate three bowls and announced he had a tummy ache.  Amelia ate two bowls.  She loved it.

Sunday morning while I was getting things inside the trailer ready to go, Amelia and Paw-Paw enjoyed some time together outside.

We thoroughly enjoyed these four days in Opp.  Joe and Judy are the most hospitable folks you would ever meet. Amelia enjoyed playing with John.  She says that he's her cousin and her friend.  It could not have been any better.

Back home on Sunday we got everything put up and resumed our normal life.  Amelia had her favorite meal -- pancakes, and this time she ate bacon with them.

On Monday I took Amelia out to where I work for a visit with my friend, Bridget, who was filling in for me.  I was so proud of her as she shook hands with my boss and the assistant warden.  She answered their questions and was very personable.  Afterwards she got to spend some time with her Aunt Ashley and cousins, Madison and Avery.

Tuesday we headed home with her.  Boy, were she and her mom glad to see each other.  I never saw so much hugging going on.  Amy had unpacked most of the boxes and had their new home looking great.  She had even taken time to bake a chocolate chip cookie cake and oatmeal cookies.  Then she insisted on paying for our dinner that night.  I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but not only is Amy a wonderful mother, she is a wonderful daughter as well.  We were so pleased to have Amelia with us for ten glorious days.  I can honestly say it was one of the best vacations I've ever had.  We're hoping that she and Amy will be able to spend a few days with us before school starts.