The little ones are in bed … finally.

It only took an hour and a half. Their bedtime is 8:30 … at 10 I had them in the bath, if that tells you anything.

But, hey, this is vacay for them and they are definitely living it up.

Park this morning, followed by a very healthy Chick-Fil-A lunch and no, I’m not being sarcastic. I heart Chick-Fil-A.  It’s the only fast food I eat. I want to be in one of their cardboard, cut out ads in their stores. They can even photoshop me in next to the cow. Maybe it could say something like “luvs chikin” as I’m glancing longingly at Mr. Cow.

By the time late afternoon rolled around, we were all for some pool action. Many thanks to my incredible friends, who without them there, I’m pretty sure something traumatic probably would have happened. Because who I am to try to watch two kids in a huge pool when both of them are at different ends or directions or getting into crap that I never even knew was around there?

We topped off the evening with homemade pizzas for dinner and a walk to Flub’s for icecream — it’s a hometown legend. I lived on it during the summers we’d come out here visiting the Gparents.

There’s something just so quintessential summer about sitting in the grass with a great ice cream cone. Half of which is either smothered on faces and shirts or dripping onto the asphalt in a melting heap.

On the way back, The BF and I called Brother to come pick us up. Since my niece still wanted to ride her bike, I compromised — we’ll ride over to Wally Jane’s {her name for Gpa and his wife — it’s like Brangelina, they’ve reached singular status. Serious stuff}.

It took me by complete surprise to find myself blinking back bittersweet tears. Seeing them run through the yard, chasing after lighting bugs, and just enjoying a spectacular summer evening in that yard … just as we did as kids. Except this time, no Gpa, to stand by and watch.

I know with certainty he was there with us, which was confirmed by nephew, who repeatedly would look up, right above me saying, “Wally.”

And now here I am, taking in the sweet sound of silence. I know morning is fast approaching, but I need this quiet time to myself. Even if it’s just a few minutes, enough to write this. I crave this time for myself. It feeds my soul.

I have The BF waiting in bed for me and just thinking of having two little people jumping on us early in the morning, waking us up, has a smile on my face.

We have big Saturday plans : The Zoo.

Oh, and have I failed to mention yet just how amazing The BF is with my little ones? He’s so good. There’s something so sexy about watching a man with children, especially one whose actually good with said children.

Doesn’t hurt that he’s already sexy either … just adds to more sexy. There can never be enough of that, right?