Troy, Cyndi and the kids (Wolf, Scout and Finn) arrived mid-afternoon Friday from Neptune Beach, Florida (by way of Atlanta). I was tied up at work, but Jude, J.P. and Joe took them to the Nashville Zoo, where the highlight of the afternoon was petting the kangaroos.
Friday night, Cyndi and Scout drove down to Franklin to see friends. Troy and I picked up dinner at Edley's Barbecue for the gang, then Troy left to pick up Wolf at the airport. Wolf flew in from Jacksonville, as he was part of the homecoming court at his middle school Friday evening (as if I didn't already feel old enough). Troy and Wolf drove to Franklin, as well, and Jude and I put J.P. and Finn to bed together on the floor in J.P.'s room on a pile of blankets, sleeping bags and pillows. They loved it.
Saturday morning, we all went to J.P.'s basketball game at First Presbyterian Church. He scored the first basket of his nascent basketball career on the first play of the game. It was pretty awesome, except for the fact he somehow managed to poke himself in the eye in the process of hitting the bucket. So, as I was clapping and cheering, he was crying. It was kind of like when it starts to rain while the sun is shining. In the end, the "Green Lightning Machine" won it's third game of the season to push our record to 3-0, as I remained undefeated in my career as a basketball coach.
We ran errands, rushed home and completed last minute preparations for the World Famous Leaf Party. Our home was a beehive of activity, as Jude and Cyndi directed the rest of us in setting out the food, chairs, tables, etc. Soon our friends and family (and their kids) arrived and the Leaf Party began in earnest. As the kids waded into the giant pile of leaves in our front yard, the adults watched and chatted amiably. The weather was exquisite and the Leaf Party went off without a hitch.
Late Saturday afternoon, Troy and I took the kids (sans Joe) to Rose Park. As late afternoon turned to early evening, we played soccer and threw the frisbee. It was especially fun when we played soccer with a large blue exercise ball that's been bouncing around my yard and garage for close to a decade (I literally don't know where it came from). After we got home, Cyndi and I picked up dinner from Chago's Cantina and after we ate, we called in an early night and went to bed.
This morning, Cyndi and I went for a 3-mile punishment run/walk, finishing at Bongo Java, as is our custom. Jude and Troy brought the kids down and we had a family breakfast together at my home away from home. We went back to Rose Park for more soccer, frisbee and playground playing (for Joe), then returned home so the Baines could pack and prepare to leave.
As always, we all were a bit melancholy as I took the traditional Baines family photograph on our front porch. J.P. and Finn, in particular, were sad and shed tears as we said our goodbyes. Cyndi texted us a few minutes after they left, just to let us know Finn was crying and said she wanted to move here and live with us. We felt the same way.
Another Leaf Party Weekend in the books. It passed too quickly, but it reminded us how lucky we are to have such old and dear friends as Troy, Cyndi, Wolf, Scout and Finn.
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