LONGEST. WEEK. EVER.

During a dinner conversation last fall, Nick informed me that one of his work projects would be serving as a coordinator for the Army Aviation Association of America's (AAAA) annual convention at the Opryland Hotel.  I distinctly remember him finishing up his explanation with: "...so I get to stay at the Opryland for nine days, isn't that awesome?!"  I also distinctly remember thinking to my eight months pregnant self, "That sounds like the opposite of awesome."

Fast forward a handful of months, the convention has taken place over the last week and a half (as did "spring break" for Emmy's Mom's Day Out), and I am not shy about admitting that I couldn't be more bitter of my husband for his current residence.  I'll give it to him that he has worked very hard on this convention, so he certainly deserves whatever perks might come his way; but, man, there's not much that I wouldn't do to get a break from the circus that is my home.  No rest for the weary, I tell you!

Jealousy fueled my bright idea to pack the girls up, hire a pet-sitter and drive down to Nashville for a sleepover with Daddy last night.  We arrived just 12 minutes before the closing call of the convention, which allowed us to sneak a peak at the expansive space filled with displays representing every army aviation organization under the sun, including the 14 aircraft that Nick helped to bring in.  Emmy, wearing her very own visitor's pass necklace, had a blast touring the different helicopters.  Nick was beaming as Emmy excitedly sat behind the controls. She started counting them at one point and decided there were 10 buttons.  (She likely came to that conclusion because 10 is the number she typically stops at, I'm pretty sure there are more than 10 controls inside a blackhawk helicopter.)

A quick wardrobe change and we were off to the pool.  Emmy is FEARLESS in the water.  Good gravy, she was making me nervous!  Nick was completely in control, though, as she hurled herself at him repeatedly from the side of the pool.  I need to get that girl some swimming lessons!

We quickly cleaned up and headed out to burgers and fries and ice cream for dessert. (I was salivating over the upscale restaurant options, but we'll have to wait until we have a childless outing for that kind of experience.)  Emmy was, quite literally, like a kid in a candy shop.  That energy barely wained by 11:30pm last night.  After three hours and two separate drives around the greater Nashville area in attempt to subdue our Emmy's giddiness, we packed up the car and the girls and I headed home to our own beds.  So much for the room service breakfast in bed I had so hoped for. :-/ It was good while it lasted...

Mr. Clint's little co-pilot.

Counting "buttons."

Sitting inside a Chinook with Dada and Emmy's new doggie souvenir.

Inside the Chinook.

My view while feeding Hannah...Completely engrossed in the Disney Channel.

Hannah gets her own cuddles in.

I want an indoor pool.  You can swim in thunder storms AND you don't have to put sunblock on!

My beauty.

The girls had to have matching suits.  I couldn't help myself. 

Watching the awesome water show while waiting for dinner!

I handed Emmy her ice cream cup, and as I ordered for Nick and I, I hear. "Ali, where's Emmy?"  We frantically look around only to find her sitting quietly at a table shoveling chocolate ice cream and "nummy bears" into her mouth.

Reading her "bedtime" story several hours before her actual bed time.