A Haily Picnic

Who would have thought that quarter sized hail dumping down for 30 minutes and a picnic with 5 children would go together so well. On Wed night, they did. We headed to the Botanic Gardens, one of our favorite family spots, for a picnic with the Sheas. Maria is on her way to the airport today (Friday) for a month, so we had to get some QT in before their departure. We each made salads and appetizers and packed up our quaint little baskets for a night of calm fun with children frolicking through the flowers and the adults sipping wine and chatting about life.


That was the case for oh, 10 minutes. Then the torrential rain began. We had set up under a tent left over from a wedding and used the rented tables too, so fortunately we were ready for the weather. We called the kids under the tent to wait out the rain. It typically lasts 10 minutes around here, so no bigee. Weeeellllll, 10 minutes later the hail started. The kids got nervous, so we started cheering and turning the situation into a super fun adventure. We couldn't speak to each other as it was crazy loud and the tent started flooding, but the kids were happy and laughing, so we went with it. Even Squirt didn't mind the loud, wet chaos. 35 minutes later it kinda stopped. So we booked it before it came back. And it did. But we had a super fun night and will remember our haily picnic with fond memories for sure.

 And a special "thanks" to Maria for teaching my son this little trick. 

 Squirt wants everything she can get her little hands on in her mouth.  That's drool on her dress...not brewski.

 4 weeks without my neighborhood watchdog, wine drinking partner and playmate. 

 This is when the hail began.  The kids resembled wet dogs already at that point.

 We've had 2 bad hail storms this past week.  Leaves down everywhere.

 Yes, my husband is "skipping" hail into the pond. 

 Oh Dude.  We have so much to teach you about being a gentleman.  Look at poor Riley, left in the dust/rain.  Don't worry, Dude stayed nice and dry.

 Post storm play time before we departed for the night.

 Where Dude goes, Riley goes and vice verse, so they share in our family shots. 

Oh how I love this little family of mine.