A Visit from Flat Rachel

I'm pretty sure a lot of the people who read my blog also read Rachel K's blog.  If you do, you know that she has been sending a flat version of herself to friends around the country to visit and enjoy the summer.  She drew my name out of her sombrero, and last week it was my turn.  Flat Rachel will now be returning to Rachel K. in California, and being shipped off to her next destination. 

Here is an illustrated narrative of her visit:

Flat Rachel arrived while we were on a week-long trip in Kansas.  She spent who knows how many days on my neighbor's counter sitting under a pile of junk mail.  Imagine her joy when she was finally released from her paper prison:

After her ordeal being trapped in her mailing envelope, she was exhausted, so she collapsed next to Jacob and had a nap on the couch.

Flat Rachel was cooped up so long, we headed to the park for some fresh air.  Jacob and Flat Rachel became the best of friends.  They ate lunch together and played together. 

We needed a little girl time, so we ate Starburst and watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer together. 

Knowing that Rachel K. has excellent taste in handbags, I knew Flat Rachel would be equally helpful when I went to buy a few summertime totes.   She came along and helped me pick out these cute bags:

It was time to head to Costco with the whole family to get a double jogger/bike trailer and some lights for the bathroom, and Flat Rachel decided to come along and risk her well-being by sitting by Tyler (or as we sometimes call him, Tyler the Destroyer).  She survived the trip, and helped us find some lovely bathroom light fixtures.

It was time to try out the new double jogger.  We walked all the way to library, which I wouldn't have done without Flat Rachel.  I know she loves books.  You know Tyler's up to no good.  Rachel tried very hard to stick with Jacob and be safe, but...

...there was a bit of an incident, and we had to perform emergency surgery.

Post-op treat of caramel cake:

After Flat Rachel's painful ordeal, I thought she deserved a night out, so we went to Eclipse together:

and then we blogged about it together:

Flat Rachel wanted to sit in on a flute lesson, so she listened from the piano:

As our week together drew to a close, we had a barbecue and some pool time to celebrate Flat Rachel's visit.  Flat Rachel sat under the umbrella with a smoothie instead of hopping in the pool (no matter how much Jacob begged for her to join us), because she didn't want her adorable top to smear.

And today, with tears in my eyes, I will bid Flat Rachel a fond farewell and send her back to the loving arms of Rachel K., who thanks to the curse we have (see #2 on her list), has been sick with the stomach flu.  Thanks for the good times.  Rachel K., get well soon.