Getting my huggin' arms ready

When Laura came to visit last year, she was third in the line of four family members visiting in a month. We had a blast, but it was kind of like "here's another visitor, let's show you where we live, eat some fried food, hug, okay bye!" Mabes was usually thinking about the next guest, wondering where Louie (my parents' bichon) fit into the lineup. This year, it's been a long time since we've had a guest, so Mabes is ecstatic. She made a welcome poster yesterday, but when I asked if she wanted to write "Welcome Aunt Laura" she told me no, she'd rather just write "I love Aunt Laura." I like hers better. (Don't be afraid, Laura, it's a welcome poster, not a ransom note.)
When I was talking to Laura the other night, I asked if there was anything in particular that she wanted to do this weekend. She said no, maybe just hang out, eat, play with Mabes, perhaps go to the park or something. Sounds exciting, huh? But then I remembered "nothing" is apparently what I do best. So I guess I'm just preparing myself for Monday night, when I'm thinking "what did we DO all weekend?"-- and then remind myself that it's not about what we did, but how much fun we had. And let's be honest: we couldn't not have fun if we tried. Just thinking about us trying to not have fun makes me giggle.

Through careful meal planning that may or may not have required a spreadsheet and inventing new meals, I think I've figured out a way to maximize delicious food. When I asked Laura if she had any requests, she asked if I had ice cream. Um, yes, I also have water. My freezer is actually just the ice cream cupboard into which vegetables and meat sometimes make their way. Now I just need to go grocery shopping...