I Forgot, Again

My cousin Ellen is having her first child in a few weeks. It seems like only last year she was running around with pigtails telling me how she learned to make butter in her kindergarten class. Now she is a wife and is pregnant with a little boy of her own. Time is moving too quickly!

We are a close knit family who takes full advantage of every opportunity to get together to socialize and eat cake. Her baby shower was turned into a full family picnic. This meant that the men in the family were not only invited, but also expected to attend. Scott, Robby and I piled into the car on Friday and drove to my mom's house this past Friday in anticipation of attending the picnic shower.

Saturday was beyond hot. The oppressive heat made it difficult to breathe outside, and the air conditioning working overtime just to make the indoor climate tolerable. Despite the temperature, it was wonderful seeing and spending quality time with my family. Good food, a lot of laughs and tasty cake made for a delightful afternoon.

In order to entertain the kids and to provide a respite from the heat, a Slip n' Slide and sprinkler were set up outside. Robby was anxious to start slipping and sliding. As soon as he finished eating he was tugging on my arm to accompany him outside. Scott brought me my activity leg (my Proprio is not water friendly) and we headed outside.

As soon as the water was turned on I realized that, although the members of my family are fun, they are not adventurous around water. My Aunt Corrie and I were the only adults playing in the sprinkler with the kids. I was the only adult to venture down the Slip n' Slide. Apparently my family has no qualms making the one-legged woman demonstrate the slide as long as they were able to remain dry!

Despite the water-wimpy adults, I had a blast playing in the water. Robby and I were soaked and tired by the time we were ready to leave. I threw on a dry sundress, slipped a sandal onto my foot and put Robby in a fresh set of clothes. He was tuckered out from the afternoon water games and slept the entire trip back to my mom's house.

Saturday evening, after dinner, we decided that the only thing that would have made the day better to go out for ice cream. Scott and I packed up Robby, took my mom's to-go order, and headed to the local ice cream stand.

Robby happily skipped out of the car towards the long line. Assuming his place in line, he began to chat about what he was going to order. I noticed that I was receiving a lot of looks from bystanders. I always receive more looks when I'm wearing my sundress because my prosthetic is more obvious. I ignored the stares and hushed whispers and concentrated on picking my sundae components.

It wasn't until I got out of the car after returning from the ice cream stand that I realized the fodder for the stares. I hate it when I do that! Yes, I was half barefoot and hadn't noticed, but apparently the half of my hometown waiting in line for ice cream did!