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No longer on the river and, again, an empty nester. Back to living on Fleming Island and making some more friends!

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

A niece and nephew day

My niece, Alayna, recently graduated from UW-Madison and now living there, was in town for the day and came over to see her grandma and me. Much to her delight, Lynn also had the boys with her and joined the fun at Grandma K's house. 
From left is Manny, Angelo, Gabe, and Alayna

She couldn't stay long as she was meeting her daddy for lunch and going to see her other grandma. When Alayna left, Lynn and I took the boys to the Pizza Hut which is just across the park from Mom's to have lunch. This is sort of a tradition now, to go there with the boys when I am in town and I love it!
                   
 That sweet Angelo at the table at Pizza Hut. The boys ate free and Mom paid for Lynn and me. Thanks, Mom!

Kerry had so badly wanted to come to Manty to take the boys school shopping but she just couldn't get away. She and I were going to pay for their clothes, shoes, and first-day-of-school socks 'n underwear. Every year I helped out with their school clothes, usually getting their stuff sent to them via Wal*Mart.com so if something didn't fit, it could be easily returned. This time I am here to take them shopping but instead, get this, went to GoodWill to do so! I am a convert to resale shopping! Linda had gotten a bunch of stuff for her twin granddaughters at GW but struck out at the MLHS resale store. 

The boys were reluctant at first to go and try their stuff on but did so. I got them pants and shirts suitable for school, and did allow Manny to choose a pair of shorts because he insisted that he can wear shorts in the winter. We shall see about that! Several of the pieces still had their purchase tags attached. Lynn is going to launder everything before they wear them. I bet I got three or four outfits for each boy. At the register, I noticed the sign about seniors getting a discount but I wasn't old enough. I explained to the clerk that my sister was right there and she was old enough and these were her grandsons so.....Yes! We got an additional 15% off. It was less than $50 for this cartfull of clothes, even some for Angelo!

From there we went to ShopKo to look for shoes for gym class and the undergarments needed. Lynn said they had plenty of socks (she does their wash) except they needed bleaching. She was going to get some Oxyclean to do that but Kerry and I got the boys new undershirts and underwear. Those items were priced as BO/GO, which worked out great. Mom is paying for their gym shoes, finding some indicating non-marking soles. They are set to go, the week before Labor Day being their first day back at St. Paul's in Howard's Grove.
No shopping trip is complete, of course, without a stop at the Cedar Crest ice cream parlor. Auntie Jill was there and got to see the boys, and serve them some ice cream. Manny wasn't feeling well and really wanted to leave, but Angelo wanted to go and play by the cow. Gabe and he are shown here under the legs of Bernice who is most patient with them. He got to play for a few minutes before Lynn took me back to Mom's and the boys home with her until Noah could collect them after work. It was a good day!