Alyssa's Visit

I was the luckiest girl in the world this week when my good friend Alyssa came to stay with us for a few days.  She lives in Georgia, has twin toddlers, and her husband works at the University.  Needless to say, they are very busy, and I was so excited that she was able to take time off to come see us.  We fit in as much as we could for the 2-1/2 days that she was here:  went to a splash pad with the girls, hunted down cinnamon bears and covered them in chocolate (and we managed to eat them all), made a wooden Thanksgiving craft, eat a lot of food, talk for hours, make a felt Christmas craft for the kids, go to the pool....it was quite the visit!  Additionally, we did a few big activities.  

The first was a visit to the Fort Worth Stockyards.  Alyssa found out how she measures up to a real longhorn.

The girls rode the merry-go-round and the bucking bronco.  Actually, we were just letting them sit on the rides--didn't have any quarters to make them go.  Then, out of nowhere, this sweet girl about 5-6 years old runs by, sticks a quarter in, and runs off!  She was adorable, and very sweet, and my girls were excited for the ride her kindness provided.  Thank you, little girl!

We hit all the little shops, and my girls helped Alyssa pick out a gift for her boys.

They found all the them-sized furniture they could to sit and rest their weary feet.  :)

Of course, we stuck around for the actual cattle drive.  This always proves to be the highlight of the day for the girls.

Of course, tied for the winning experience was this adorable--and VERY friendly--pony that the girls stopped to pet.

The other big, exciting adventure we went on was planned and implemented by Alyssa---and she spoiled me rotten!!  We went on a much needed mom's night OUT!  Wahoo!
Alyssa treated me to a spa day complete with pedicures, a facial (for me), and a massage (for her).  Then we went out to eat at a fancy little restaurant near the Stockyards and ate some interesting and delicious food.  We had duck spring rolls, rattlesnake-rabbit sausage, crab on toast, beef tenderloin, pork chops....and then still ordered dessert!  Tasty pepper/chocolate cake and some Mexican donuts with dipping sauces.  We had a ton of laughs, lots of chatter, and walked out with very full tummies!  Thanks Alyssa for a wonderful night--it was very re-energizing!

Like I said---I am one lucky girl to have such a great friend.  It was wonderful to have her here, and a bummer to have her leave.  Maybe someday we'll live in the same state--or maybe we'll just have to plan mommy trips like this regularly!