Sunday, February 27, 2011

I'm a survivor


We had a really big health scare in Jeffs family, which sent him last minute to Utah.
We DESPERATELY wanted to go with him, but not under the circumstances, so I stayed here,
with my besties.
I thought how on EARTH will I survive 5 days BY.MY.SELF. (with no family to help)
but, dare I say, we did superb!
(Even over the most romantic day of the year, but I had 3 of the loves in my life, all to myself.)

Henry, my sweet angel baby, you are just not in these pictures, because you were either
-getting into trouble in another room
-strapped to my back, to keep you from getting into trouble in another room
-or about to be strapped to my back, to prevent you from getting into trouble in another room
I love this bebe

Day #1- Dinner and the evening with friends. Haights, you SAVED us! Really!!
Day #2 - The Zoo
God smiled on us, and sent beautiful weather, to enjoy a day in the sun.
Really, it was like 60+, and we ran our little hearts out at the National Zoo.
I love how Chars is looking at Luce like, ok champ, whatever you say.
The kids favorite part of the zoo.
The lions just had 6 cubs!!! And around noon time, which is perfect for us,
the send them out to play.
My kids are the only ones who have their ears plugged when they roar,
but it sure is a magnificent sound.

Is there a wrong way to eat a red pepper?
It had to be done.
What?
Both posting this picture, and giving Charlie a hair cut, after posting this picture.
I thought for a bit he may have the cali/hang loose/surfer due, but for now,
he's just got to focus on growing out his baby hair.
Day #3 Laundry.
I'm not sure if it actually got folded, but something was DONE with the laundry.
Day #4 Baja lunch with Holl and Abee, (oh, and sweet baby Rosie B.) our favos!
Day #5 - lunch in our undies, on the front porch!
It may not have been record breaking warm, but my heavens, it was WARM!
I had a great time with my kids, but an even greater time welcoming Jeff home!
He's such such SUCH an amazing father, husband and buddie!
We all pounced on him when he got off the metro!
Glad to have him home!
(And much more glad to have Mel safe, healthier and home!!)
We didn't wait a minute, but scurried off to a hotel for a one night stand.
I love just getting away, taking a swim, and doing things you'd NEVER do at home.

Who knows what time it was, if dinner was finished, or even what we had for dinner...
BUT we were on vacay! If my kids want cheerios at some odd hour in the night,
on the BED,
in a blue bowl,
let them have it!
We're on vacay!
If they want to watch WAY to much TV, in their undies,
while eating boston baked beans for breakfast, let them have it!
We're on vacay!
If they want to ride the 50 lb. limit luggage carrier, down the hall way in the hotel, let them RIDE!
We all needed a metaphoric ride, and swimming, eating, swimming, tv-ing was just what the doc ordered.
Here he is. And here IT is.
The Shenandoah Valley.
We'd stayed at a place called Harrisburg, and on the way home,
took the scenic (VERY windy road) through the Shenandoah Mountains.
It was pretty, saw lots of wild life, but no one was more glad (and car sick) then Luce.
She couldn't wait to get out of the car.
It was so different from the mountains I've grown up with, but any change in
altitude or any opportunities for a look out point were simply spectacular.

Sperryville was a welcome sight!!
Jeff pointed out that this superb restaurant had no name. But man, there
pulled pork sandwich hit the spot! When your that good (and the only restaurant for 25 miles,) do you really even need a name?
Sperryville was tiny. I mean really tiny, but super quaint and charming.
Sperryville, you did us good!
We met some locals (who insisted that its a charming place, for about an hour or so),
took a quick stroll on the very short main street,
and it was said that we may even come back.
Luce- "mama, lets go back to eat lunch again,
but I don't want ever want to go on that really twisty road, ok?"
Sure sweet pea.
Whatever you say!
Oh Gosh I love my life.
I feel so lucky to have our health, job, home, and love.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

They just kept getting bigger

The weather was warm, the sun was out, so we set out on a quest for puddles.

Long winters make for long shadows
At first, this 'barley big enough for 2 boots' puddle was the thrill,
then came the mother load.
And they just kept getting bigger.

Lucy spotting the biggest puddles (and perhaps some boys) down a bit further


At last. The big Kahuna. The puddle of all puddles.
The puddle that all others will be compared to.
Big enough for the whole fam.

Isn't it funny that even in 50 degree weather, if the sun is out, and kids feel the tiniest bit warm, they'll think its swimsuit season, and appropriate to start stripping themselves of warm things...gloves, hats, coats...
The facts:
Thursday play group was at our house.
Lucy keeps this nail polish in her play purse.
Lucy has never attempted to paint any part of her body, but on Thursday,
a play group friend and herself began a little nail polish part (to my surprise)
So, it shouldn't have been that big of a shock when days later,
from the dining room, I hear Lucy call "Charlie, go show mama"
In strolls my darling boy, looking like this.
I had to take a picture, before I surveyed the possible damage.

I was not shocked at the potential disaster on my hands, rather stunned by my sweet boys
ability to pain nearly every one of his nails, perfectly.
Lucy did not help.
This was all his own handy work.
I remember, in like 6th grade, finally being able to paint my own nails.
Just look at his skills!
We have a boy genius on our hands!
Oh Charlie, I am so proud.
(Back to the damage, it was manageable.
However, any tips on removing nail polish from carpet?)