What? You've Never Heard of a Car Picnic?

If you live anywhere in the southeast, you're probably aware of the fact that it's rained a good bit lately. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's rained for right at a straight month. We love going to the park, the zoo, the gardens, and lots of other places that are under a foot of standing water right about now, so to avoid the cabin fever I could see slowly creeping upon us, we tried something new today.

I called Josh and asked if he could meet us at McDonald's in 15 minutes for lunch. Now anyone who knows me knows that I would rather drop my children off to spend the day in a landfill than take them into the McDonald's PlayPlace during flu season (which is in full swing in our area!), but we were all looking for something fun and inexpensive to do on this soaking wet day.

So what could possibly be that exciting at McDonald's? Why, a car picnic, of course!

I backed the car into a corner spot near a nice little patch of trees while Josh went inside to raid the $1 Menu of Wholesome Goodness. And with the exception of the dumpster, the light post, Walgreens, and the Pile of Unknown under the tarp, the view was quite nice...

When we were finished eating, we all enjoyed just sitting and chatting under the shelter of the open trunk while listening to the rain.

Then while Josh ran back in to get a refill (one of the perks of picnicking at the restaurant), the kids and I had an impromptu science lesson. Jack and Abby were pulling leaves off of the tree that was drooping into the van, and she asked what the "little lines" were on the back of each leaf. Well, my dear, let me teach you...

Izzy wasn't nearly as interested in root systems or photosynthesis as she was in making us all laugh with her adorably goofy "cheese" face...

But after a round of hugs and kisses, it was time for Josh to go back to work...

And after a couple of parting shots, it was time for us to head out as well.

Oh, and Bethany, I know you were quite concerned (and morbidly amused) about Izzy's rough day yesterday. I don't know if this is considered good news or bad news, so I'll give it to you both ways:

"Oh Bethany, poor Izzy dropped a book on her own face today and made her nose bleed. Again."

Or...

"Guess what, Bethany -- Izzy only bled one time the whole day today!!"

It's glass half-empty or glass half-full, I guess. Regardless, Josh prayed specifically for protection for little Isabel tonight. She's clearly in need of some sort of help!!