Camp Erin

I had the privilege of having a slumber party with two very precious little girls this week. I refer to it as "Camp Erin" because I told their Mom that she could send her girls to Camp Erin anytime she needed a break .. between now and when I have to go back to school. 

Peyton, the oldest of the two, is Robert's Goddaughter. He loved this girl as if she were his own and he spent countless hours with her and her parents before moving to Decatur. In fact, we had just begun talking for the first time about a month before she was born. He was so proud to share that he would be a Godfather very soon, and he did send me a picture of him holding her the day she was born.  He was just SO proud!  Peyton was going to be the flower girl in our wedding .... white dress, cowboy boots, and all. 

Robert was only able to meet sweet Sawyer one time. One weekend while visiting Robert's family, we stopped by to see John, Katie, and the girls on the way back to meet sweet, sweet Sawyer.  I still kick myself that I didn't capture a picture of the moment they met. He instantly fell in love and was so proud of her too. He would repeatedly say that "when these girls start dating ... I WILL be sitting with their Dad on the front porch cleaning my gun when that sorry boy comes to pick them up ..."  oh my! 

Because of the bond with these two ladies and their parents, I feel like I owe it to Robert to keep a close relationship. I love this little family so much, and I'm so grateful that they accept me as one of their own.

Back to the slumber party, I picked up the girls Tuesday night for a slumber party. Peyton was OH SO excited to swim!  We stopped by the store on the way home to grab their favorite for dinner .... fried chicken!  Went over so well! 

Sawyer and Peyton enjoying dinner

Sawyer is such a sweetheart and proceeds to tell everyone in the store "Hi".  She's such a social butterfly and just so, so sweet. 

After dinner, we got in the pool for a while with my Mom and just had a blast. Came in for a quick snack of chocolate cake and ice cream ... then it was time for baths and bed.  I was a little worried about bedtime since the girls had never stayed over here before, but they did fantastic.  We watched Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs ... and fell asleep.  Peyton did tell me "I miss my Mom a little bit" before going to sleep. 

Two sleeping beauties!

The next morning consisted of cinnamon rolls for breakfast, playing with fun toys, and going to Walmart to buy some water wings for Peyton.  Luckily they had pink mermaids ,so she loved them! 

Enjoying her breakfast

LOVES these toys from when I was a kid

Sweet Sawyer

After lunch of peanut butter and jelly, chips, and watermelon ... it was time to swim again!  I lathered these beauties up with lots of sunblock and we were off to the pool. 

Having a blast

They were sooo much fun swimming!  Sawyer started to get tired, so she layed down for a nap out on the porch in the shade and I had some one on one time with the adorable Peyton.  She was full of advice for me. Here's our conversation:
P: Erin, how old are you?
Me: 27 .. almost 28
P: Well, don't you think its about time for you to get married?
Me: I guess. I was going to marry Bobbo (what she calls Robert)
P: You can't marry Bobbo anymore because he's dead.  It looks like you'll have to find another man.  There's lots of men in this town.  You can't marry my Dad because he's married .. and you can't marry (another guy she knows) because he's not a husband .. but he's a boyfriend.  But, Erin .. there's lots of other men.

What great advice from an almost 5 year old! ha! 

These two were wore out .. and both slept all the way in the car to go meet their Mom and Dad.  I had a blast with them ...and hope to do it again sometime soon!  

I definitely felt Robert's presence the whole time they were here. I love having these little reminders of such an amazing man that's watching over all of us! 

Thanks again, John and Katie, for letting me spend some time with your precious and sweet girls!  <3