Thank God It's Friday!

I think I mentioned before that we are a tight knit family...well this Friday was no exception to THAT rule.  Along with dad and I tagged my mom, Mariah and her friend Cynthia.  I thought it would be fun to have lunch with mom and dad together...afterall my mom still works 4 days a week and runs around like she is in her 30's.  She has every other Friday off and this happned to be one of them, so excluding her from the activities would be hearltess ;-) This was my original plan anyway as I thought it would be, again, another perspective, additional color and flavor to our time together.  It really had NOTHING to do with the fact that my dad adores her and would not hear of leaving her at home :D  Having Mariah and her friend tag along was an added perk.  The two girls are seniors at Buchanan High School and Friday was the last day of the semester.  Finals were done and they wanted to party with us!  We picked a party place...TGIF. 

The girls ended up at a table of their own so we did not get to visit with them much, but my dad's face lit up when he saw that Mariah had come to lunch and was visibly disappointed when their wasn't enough room for her to sit at our table.  It was, afterall, lunchtime at Fridays.  I told dad that we would do lunch with the girls another time.  He seemed to be okay with that...

Surprisingly we were seated quickly.  My mom was very aware of the purpose of our lunch and in true "mom" form she said something along the lines of "don't mind me...go ahead with your interview with your dad."  I laughed a little and said "no, mom, it's okay, really.  We'll just visit like normal...I'll get some pearls as we go...you'll see."  We did make small talk.  We talked about the kids and the new baby "Amelia Jean"  Mom and I can talk for hours and we often do...and dad tends to slip into the "silent observer" role once again.  I was conscious of this and honestly...my mom was, too.  She was great at following my lead and being a great catalyst for conversation with my dad.  We took somewhat of a trip down memory lane when I asked my dad "What restaurant did you and mom like to go to when you were dating?"  My dad said they loved to go to "Bimbo's 365 Club." To which my mother replied "Bimbo's 365 club?  Phil!  I've been there like twice in my life and it's a frickin night club We weren't going there when we were 15! No Heather...we went to The Hippo alot"  "Isn't that where you got that raw burger thing mom?"  I asked. "Yeah...the Cannibal Burger" She added. Now, just let that one sink in for a minute...they would serve a raw hamburger with all of the fixings and it was legal!  Once again...a different time...

Now...If you know my mom and dad...you can almost hear the banter.  It is comical.  They do love each other and it is a benign banter...but it is entertainment to say the least.  I let them banter a bit about what my dad could and couldn't remember and how my mom can be such a "butt" sometimes.  And then we went back down memory lane remembering the things they did together like couples skating, which from my dad's perspective they were "champions", and from my mom's perspective they could "barely get around the rink so please don't post that Heather!" Mom said she hated it and dad said "You hated it so much that we spent a whole 4 years skating together!"  Do you all see the dynamics unfolding between my mom and dad?  It is always entertaining when we get together.  Dad said they spent alot of time at the Drive In movies and the bowling alley.  Ahhhh the activities of the 1950"s teenager. 

I had so much fun listening to my mom and dad from this angle.  We were really having a good time so naturally we were all sad when it was time to go.  My dad actually said "Is it time to go already?"  This warmed my heart.  I have noticed in just three short weeks that my dad's stamina has increased notably.  Many times he tires and wants to go home...this was the first time in a long time that he was disappointed that it was time to go.  I am loving these lunches with my dad and I think he is too.

Fortunately, we had another event to get to so our time was not yet over.  We had another all important soccer game to attend.  Yes...both of my parents made the trip out to Buchanan High School to watch Mariah's team beat Clovis North 2-1.  It was a great game.  My dad made the trek from the parking lot to the field in the freezing cold January air once again and THIS time he was actually a participant.  One of our star forwards, who is Cal Poly bound, kicked a ball out of bounds and it headed straight for my dad on the sidelines.  My dad is soccer savvy.  He has been a fan since Kyle was 5 so, approximately 20 years.  At any rate...he did not back down.  He chested the ball right back on to the ground.  Of course I don't think he meant to...but who cares...75 years old and he chested a ball kicked by a stellar athlete.  My dad is amazing!!

Soccer Ninja

Beema #1 Fan