Nick's Soccer Team Wins And A Fun But Expensive Day at IKEA in Kansas

Mary Paparazzi Chic

We are up early because we want to get a good start for home, about sixteen hours total. We are not sure how far we will go today; it just depends on our mood, how tired we are, how quickly we want to get home to the lake...quickly as always.

Swedish Meatballs at IKEA

Yesterday morning, Marlena played hooky from school, so we could spend the day with her.  So what did we end up doing?  Head to IKEA, which just opened a new store in the area about a month ago.  I did get a good walk in before it got too hot but did not take Bella because she has had enough of my walking her.  We left about 10:30, thinking it would be a quick trip but we did not get home until 2:45.  Mary and Marlena had never been to an IKEA and Evie acted as if she hadn't either, so we took our time, moving from section to section, looking at just about everything, from home wares, to school desks, to bedrooms, kitchens, pillows, etc.  You get the idea.  I admit to suggesting a few items we might like, a new set of dishes, as well as silverware for twelve.  So, I cannot really complain too much about the time and the money.  After all, what's time, what's money when you have both.

Our Carts Runneth  Over

Shopping of course can be exhausting so we took a break to eat lunch at their cool, efficient cafeteria. Marlena got a children's meal of chicken tenders and Evie and I both got the Swedish meatballs with potatoes.  Everything was fine, especially the chocolate mousse cake Marlena had for dessert.  We then shopped for another forty five minutes, finally picking up our last buy in their warehouse.  I was surprised at how crowded the store was on a Monday with lots of people just like us, with nothing to do, and decided to spend the day shopping, therapy for many Americans.  I have to admit I felt good after buying new dishes and silverware until I thought of the cost.

Nick Hustles

Nick had just gotten home when we returned from IKEA, taking it easy before his soccer game at 6:30.  Mary made him some pancakes, as Evie and I packed up for our drive tomorrow.  Marlena and Evie watched The Sound of Music which she surprisingly has not seen before.  Beside the movie we did not do much once we got home, just waiting for Tom to get home, so we could head off to the soccer game around 6:00.  It was ungodly hot out, at least 85º if not higher, so no one wanted to be outside.

An Intense Nick

We left for the soccer game at 6:00, no fleeces, tee shirts were just fine. Nick's team was playing Blue Springs, a fairly weak team.  And it showed as Lee Summit jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first half, then just played around the rest of the game, winning 3-0.  It was a fun game to watch till Nick went down with a foot injury, when he and another player hit the ball at the same time.  He went out of the game with about five minutes left and seems to be fine because he's sitting next to me at the moment, watching the Chiefs play the Patriots, waiting patiently for his pizza and salad.  It was a great way to end our stay, with a soccer win, pizza as we watch the Chiefs beat New England, 41-14.  A good day for everyone in Kansas City.