Road Trip with the Big Girl

I love when we get rare moments with an individual child and get to really look into their world. When Caleb had heart surgery, we got to do that with him and we see the glimpses of it with all of them at home but a few weekends ago, Cadence and I took a trip to FL together - just the two of us and it was so great to be able to really look at her and into her world - uninterrupted. 

Our first stop along the way was at Cracker barrel for dinner. I love that she is at an age where real conversation - other than instruction and discipline - can take place. We had such a great time talking and doing a crossword puzzle. She learned how to the the little "peg" game AND we took the time to play checkers. She had never played before and I had to google the instructions in order to tell her how to play - but we figured it out!

We spent the night with a friend in Atlanta and stopped at this really interesting Chick-Fil-A for breakfast. I didn't realize that it was one of the first ones or the original one or something like that. Chris told me later :) and Cadence has decided that Chick-Fil-A is her favorite breakfast from a restaurant. 

and then as we drove, Cadence got control of the camera/iPad. So, these are some of her very pictures and videos. You need to watch the videos. They are short and so appropriate for this stage of her life :)

Here's ONE, another ONE, and a third ONE

Disclaimer: I'm not texting and driving - I'm probably FaceBook-ing

Sunflower seeds are a staple on an Andersen trip. and since she got to pick her own drink from the gas station she picked this orange drink (which was gross according to her) so we dumped it our and it became the seed bottle instead. and was picture worthy according to Cadence :)

 We went to FL for a memorial service for my Uncle Butch. He was my Dad's oldest brother and lived in the panhandle part of FL (not the Disney or beach part). They are so far out in the woods that there's literally no cell phone signal or internet. So, you entertain yourself in other ways. Like watching the deer, or feeding the deer, or fishing or driving the golf cart. Cadence did all of this!

 She was Aunt Jane's personal chauffeur on the golf cart!

 I can't believe how fast this girl is growing up. Her Daddy and I are so proud of the girl she is becoming. She is helpful, funny, smart, loves her brothers and sister,

 never meets a stranger, and overall a pretty good girl and 

I am so glad that Daddy took care of the littles so we could have a weekend together!