So the 2nd half of our 1st day in Atlanta went much better than the first part of the day. After our lunch fiasco, I wanted something good for dinner. We went to Bahama Breeze which Chris had eaten at in Raleigh, NC on a previous business trip. The food was really good - our service wasn't that great - but the good food made up for it. Then we were off to Centennial Park in downtown Atlanta. That was kind of a neat place. There were a bunch of kiddos playing in the water where the Olympic ring fountain was so you couldn't really tell that it was but we did spend a little time playing in the park and that was fun.

Part of Downtown Atlanta from the Interstate

The CNN building (taken from Centennial Park)

After our stressful day yesterday, I decided that for MY sanity, today we would have a low key day. We went to the movies and saw WALL*E. It was a really cute movie and there were only 5 people in the movie theatre (counting us) so that was fun. Then we went to Barnes and Nobles and then we were off to the pool. The girls were the only ones in the pool so they really enjoyed that. Tonight we ate dinner at a place called Slope's Barbecue. It was recommended to us by my sister. The food was good AND the service was good (I found it amazing that we actually had both) but traffic was terrible - even is Roswell, GA. I am not sure what we will get into tomorrow but hopefully it will be fun and stress free!!

Here are Alison and Nicole outside of the American Girl Boutique and Bistro...prior to our lunch ordeal yesterday, but already tired of being at the mall.

We arrived safely in Atlanta (well actually Alpharetta) last night. Traffic was crazy at times but we made it. The girls and I came along with Chris (he has a class here this week) and so far our trip has not gotten off to a good start. Today the girls and I were supposed to eat lunch at the American Girl Bistro. We had to make reservations a week ago and couldn't get in FOR LUNCH until 2:30. We arrived at 2:30 (after wasting all morning killing time) only to have to wait a little longer for a table while others around us were being seated right away...mmmm...Finally we got a table, even the girls' American girl dolls had their own seat. We waited and no one came to take our order...then some people sat down beside us and a waitress immediately came to take their order and explain how everything worked at the Bistro. At this point I am a little more that frustrated. After about 5 more minutes of waiting (still no service) we left. The girls were hungry and tired so we went through the Wendy's drive through and then back to our hotel...Not exactly the "fun" we had planned. Hopefully tonight will be better!

Last night, Chris and I (along with Alison and Nicole) went walking at a track near our house. The girls always enjoy playing in the field while we walk. They played ball, did gymnastics and then made "salad" out of weeds...does anyone else remember doing this when you were a kid? After Chris and I were finished walking, we decided that we could play with the girls for a while before heading back home. We kicked the ball around for awhile and then I decided I would do gymnastics with Alison (what was I thinking???). I did a backbend for the first time in probably 20 years and then I was doing cartwheels...again...what was I thinking? Anyway I was actually quite surprised that I could still do a cartwheel...who knew!!! How precious it is just to spend time having "fun" as a family without having to worry about all of the stresses of life!!!