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.