A Washington Weekend

I have lots to record for memory's sake on the blog, but I can't let too much time pass without sharing our trip to Washington D.C. last weekend.  Several months ago we found out that because of the amount of business Ned had written with Allstate, we would be invited to their regional event in April. He ended up doing so much business that he won two rooms for the weekend, allowing his parents to go too.

The four of us left after school Friday and made great time until about 20 miles away from the city, where traffic slowed to a crawl.  We finally got moving again, only to have the navigation on my phone get us all turned around.  Onstar was then unable to send directions to our car.  Three seconds shy of a panic attack, the lovely Onstar lady offered to stay on the line and give us turn-by-turn herself.  We were thrilled to arrive at The Four Seasons in Georgetown, and I was even more thrilled that my children weren't the only ones checking in.  We got settled into our room and went to bed.  We were so lucky to have Chester the raccoon for the weekend (to not lose in the big city), and he and Avery were excited to have their own sofa bed.  Sam's pack-n-play fit perfectly in the mini bar room.

After breakfast in the hotel Saturday morning, we set off walking toward the Metro station.  We knew to expect crowds since it was the Cherry Blossom Festival, but we didn't expect to have to wait for the 3rd train to finally squeeze on.  We got out at the Smithsonian stop, and even thought the parade was going by, we decided to pay a visit to the ruby slippers since Avery wears hers all the time.  She took one look and wanted to know where the real ones were.  They have dulled considerably.

We continued our walk to see the cherry trees along with lots of other people.  We didn't cross the road to the Tidal Basin, but we saw plenty of trees and had enough of the crowd.  By then it was time for a picnic lunch.  I assure you our kids had a wonderful time on this trip, even though they often have faces of teenagers that have been drug along on an educational trip.

After lunch we got back on the Metro in the middle of one of the few crying fits that Sam has ever had and also at the exact same time that millions of people were getting off the train and coming out of the station.  Thankfully the crying ended and the trains weren't crowded headed out of the city.  Everyone got in a much-needed rest before we went out to explore Georgetown.  We walked around the city and through neighborhoods, stopped in Vineyard Vines, and then had dinner at The Tacklebox.  I planned to get back to the hotel early, but who can turn down a walk by the water.  Then fate stepped in again with an open table outside an ice cream and crepe shop.

High on ice cream, the kids took awhile to go to sleep, but everyone slept well.  We ate breakfast at the hotel again so that I could have the yummy crab omelet, then we checked out.  We were on our way to the zoo, and I had read that the parking lots filled early.  We sat for awhile trying to get in and get parked but were still in before everything opened.  I had never been to the National Zoo, and the kids had never been to a zoo.  I guess I had grand expectations, and I was kind of let down.  It was a fine zoo, but I didn't feel like there were a ton of animals.  Crowds weren't too bad unless you were in one of the more popular areas, but the zoo is huge and VERY hilly.  I'm glad we went, but I don't know that we would go again.  Avery wanted to see a beaver (because her teacher had been telling her about a beaver "character" around the cherry blossom trees) and she wanted to ride the merry go round.  The beaver, of course, was no where to be seen in its habitat.

We did see some neat animals and had a good time.  After lunch at the zoo, it was time to return home.  Ned's parents left the zoo before us and reported bad traffic.  We pretty much came to a stop as soon as we got on 95 and then it was stop/creep for about an hour and a half.  Sam had just started dozing when we stopped, so he couldn't fall asleep.  Avery slept for quite awhile.  We stopped for snacks and a bathroom break after we got out of traffic and ended up getting home a little before 6 p.m.  Sometimes I think the kids do better in the car than Ned and I do.

There were of course stressful times, but it really ended up being a great trip.  Avery loves to travel, and Sam is always up for an adventure, so we look forward to more getaways.  Now if we could only accompany Ned on his latest win to New Orleans next month.

Catching Up Once More

Oh, blog.  I so want you to be a priority, but then other priorities take priority, and I get tired, and here we are after basically a month of nothing.  Last time I did a top 10 to catch up, now I'll just catch up on each family member, and hopefully we won't have this issue again.

Avery has been doing great in school and had great comments from her teacher at the last conference.  She is now registered for Kindergarten, and we are excited for what that means for our family.  She has resumed Bible Zone on Monday night with just a little sadness when we leave, and dance is even more fun now because recital costumes have come in.  She loves have "just girls" time even though she loves her brother and her daddy.

Sam was sick before his 2nd birthday and kept a cough for awhile.  He had one night where he coughed nearly 3 hours before falling asleep, but we added back in the nebulizer treatments for a weekend and that seemed to do the trick.  The combination of albuterol, antibiotic, and molars were tough, and we had several nights after his party that dinner was a major issue.  He would cry for food sitting right in front of him and would lose his mind if we took it away but would not eat.  Thank goodness those days didn't last long.  He has fallen in love with Frozen and has been known to carry Avery's Anna and Elsa dolls around.

Ned has been busy with work and staying home with sick kids when needed.  He's also embarked on an additional insurance endeavor that he's excited about but will keep him busy starting in the fall.  Sunny days and warm temps also mean that the golf clubs come out, in person and on TV.

I was sick, literally, for the two weeks following Sam's party.  Initially I had a cough with laryngitis.  That started getting better after a week, and then I started with a sinus infection.  I found slightly old antibiotics that I couldn't finish last winter, and I started on those and finally found some relief.  Two weeks of sickness trying to teach Kindergarten is too much.  I've squeezed in a little me time with a makeup/jewelry party and an elegant "Breakfast at Ansley's" bridal shower.

Below is the beautiful table setting at the bridal shower, which was held this past Saturday.  I was fully enjoying myself when I got a text from Ned saying that Sam had thrown up.  I was expecting it, as my Facebook feed was a growing list of other kids from Jennifer's getting sick.  By the time I got home, he had really gotten sick, then got sick twice more.

This was the scene mid-afternoon, and while Sam was not clothed, he was up playing, drinking, and eating some stomach-friendly foods.  We cancelled our celebration for my father's birthday and stayed in.  We had friends joining our church Sunday morning, so Avery and I went to worship, but I would not let her go in the nursery.  I was very worried she was carrying the germ since it had gotten 6 or 7 kids from the sitter's and had moved onto some parents.

That brings us to this scene today.  I was called at lunchtime at school because Avery had gotten sick.  Ned was at a funeral and couldn't be reached.  I jotted some things down for my kids to do and took off.  She got sick as we were trying to get in the car, but not after that.  Poor girl still talked the whole way home.   She spent most of the afternoon like this, while I went back to get Sam and take him to his 2 year well check.

Soon after Sam and I got home, Ned got sick.  I'm now waiting for the bug to hit me.  Avery was really slow after dinner, but I'm hoping she was just tired.  I'm praying that when I felt really bad at school 2 weeks ago today that it was a touch of the bug as it went around my class, and that I'll be spared.  Hopefully we'll all be on the mend soon and ready to enjoy some busy weekends and warm weather.

Sam's 2nd Birthday

We celebrated Sam's 2nd birthday last Saturday with a Toy Story party.  It was a wonderful day with our family and friends, and the party was easy to pull off since we are big Toy Story fans.

Sweet Birdie's Nest did the invitations and did a fantastic job as usual.

Favors for the kids were easy with Toy Story Pez dispensers, mini Slinky dogs, and Buzz gliders in a Toy Story cup.  Kids love the goody bags, but I know at least this mama does not, so I try not to do too much junk.

The cake was done by SoCo Cakes, and I added the figures.  It was delicious and huge.  I had cupcakes for the kids made by the girl who helps my parents, and they were yummy as well.  We had a few other food items plus Bullseye's Watering Hole for something to drink.

I think Sam was a little disappointed that we planned to do gifts before the food.  He was ready to eat before the guests arrived.  However, once he started opening his presents.  I think he forgot his hunger. Tissue paper was more fun than the gifts for awhile, then he received a Mickey gift and was only worried about getting it open.

I had lots of wonderful helpers, as you can see.

Sam and Avery received a bounce house to share.  Sam loves it, but Avery was especially excited because she knew what it was as soon as she saw the box.

After presents, Sam blew out the candles, and it was time for everyone to eat.

After the kids ate, they all went upstairs to play.  I think this was the most kids we had had at a party.  We had 11 kids ranging from 6 months to 4.5, and we had 3 friends unable to come.  I was so surprised at how well everyone played together.  That's not to say it wasn't crazy at times, but there were very few spats, no tattling, and no injuries.  Everyone played so well together and the parents could actually visit a little bit.

Of course, no party would be complete without family.  Sam had both sets of grandparents, his great-grandfather, and several great-aunts and uncles in attendance.  We had a house full of people to celebrate Sam's special day.

The last guests and family left around 5:30, and we ordered pizza and opened a few presents.  It was too late at that point to do the bouncy house, but we promised we would get it out the next day.  I think the busyness of the day plus the fact that he had been sick all week caught up with Sam, and he had a major meltdown at dinner.  We finally got him to eat something just before bed.  Sometimes lots of fun is hard on a little boy!  Ned and I were ready to collapse at that point, but we were so thankful for such a special day and for a house full of special people.

2

Dear Sam,

You turned two on Friday, March 7!  Sorry I am a little late posting.  We spent your birthday at home since you have been sick, and we were busy getting ready for your party.  Also, please excuse the lack of pictures.  You are a bit tricky to photograph these days, and I haven't been pulling out the big camera as often as I should.  We got lots of pictures at your party yesterday, so I'll post those soon.

You were scheduled to have your two-year well-check tomorrow, but we've postponed it for two weeks so that you can have your ears rechecked at the same time.  You visited the doctor Thursday and weighed in at 29 pounds.  You miraculously stayed well after croup in the fall, but last week your sister shared her fever and cough, and your congestion also caused an ear infection.  You are now on antibiotics and breathing treatments.  We hated that you were sick all week, but we are really thankful that you made it through most of the winter well.

At 29 pounds, you are nearly as heavy as your sister and almost as tall.  You are moving into all 2T clothing and wear a size 7 shoe and size 5 diaper.  You will outgrow sweet one-piece outfits before I know it, so I plan to put you into as many as I can.

Your sleep schedule remains basically the same.  You aren't waking up quite as early most days, although you are cutting your two-year molars, and that has kind of thrown things off.  You also are laying awake in bed some nights before going to sleep.  The 7 p.m. bedtime still seems to work well and gives you sister some solo time, so I think we'll stick with it until the summer at least.

You continue to challenge me with your eating preferences.  You do pretty good with breakfast (oatmeal, bars, cereal, pancake, waffles) and lunch (grilled cheese, pb&j, nuggets, the occasional hotdog, and a rare piece of deli meat).  It's dinner that you simply will not try anything of what I fix.  It still goes on your plate along with a yogurt, cheese, fruit and/or pouch that I know you will eat.  I'm usually hopping up a few more times to get you more of the mentioned items, so while I don't fix you something separate, I'm concerned you're being catered to a little bit too much.  Eating is my number one question for your check-up.  You are growing, and I'm not worried about that, but there is a fine line between ruining you and a screaming fit at dinner.  You still drink milk in morning and night and water in between with the occasional juice while we're out.  Avery still rarely finishes a juice while you suck it down as soon as it is put in front of you.

Your favorite toys continue to be your Toy Story pals and other little figures like the pirates, Little People, etc.  You like to push items around the house, like your grass cutter or Bitty's stroller.  You love to set up the tent, and you love to play Avery's crazy games.  You also got some fun new things for your birthday that are already big hits.  I'm thrilled that warmer weather must be coming soon, and I know you are too.  You love to be outside and usually go the other way when I get to Jen-Jen's and you're busy playing.  You must choose your own book each night, and of course there is still the TV issue.  You want the TV on to something you approve of 24/7.  I don't know when this even started, but we are working our way back out of it.  You know which remote you need to request certain TV shows or movies, and you know if we need change TV inputs for the DVD player or Apple TV.  You don't miss much, buddy.  Your obsession with Toy Story has died down a little, and you are on a Mickey kick now.  Luckily, you also like Frozen, since Avery wants to watch it all the time.  You even walk around singing "Let it Go."

Your age is definitely showing, but things really aren't that bad.  You say no....a lot.  You will even yell and scream no.  It's the only way you can show your displeasure.  The yelling usually involves the TV not being on or a dinner issue, and those have been fueled by your sickness this past week.  You like to throw, and usually that seems like for fun instead of anger.  You will push and hit Avery, so we are working on that, and you have also been known to use Duckie as a weapon.  So far, Avery has been the main recipient, other than the nice lady at Disney you swung Duckie at.  Mommy and Daddy constantly pray for guidance during this stage!

Hopefully the twos will pass even quicker now that you are rapidly adding to your vocabulary.  You are like a little parrot, repeating everything we say and talking in 2- and 3-word phrases.  I love to hear you say Avery's name (for a long time you said it with your mouth closed) and your buddies names.  We list them frequently.  All these words do mean that you can express your true thoughts, but it is such a joy to hear you learning and growing.  You "say" the blessing with us and count 1, 2, 9.  In addition to talking, you've also pottied several times for Jen-Jen.  I think it's been more luck than anything, but it's a step in the right direction.  I'm sure there may come a day when I'm pulling my hair out to get you out of diapers, but right now I'm just not concerned with it.  When you show me that you're really ready, then we'll get busy.

Sam, you are such a precious gift in our lives.  Words could never express the joy, love, and fun that you show each day.  Things are always an interesting adventure with you around, and we love waiting to see what you will discover next.  We love you so much!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy