DC in 1.5

We headed to the DC for the weekend to see our good friends that recently moved there. We had 1.5 days to fulfill a few requests: see our friends (Reese's request), go to the air and space museum at Dulles (Karl's request), see the Lincoln Memorial (Brady's request). My request of Ikea did not make it on the itinerary, boo!


First stop was the air and space museum. There was a observation tower for Dulles that played the air traffic controls radio. Karl tried showing them the mountains and the runways...

 but they were interested in finding our van!

 Another exciting part of the museum is seeing the Discovery Space Shuttle. The girls' fact they took away... the women were allowed small makeup bags!

 I was personally amazed by the heat proof exterior.

 For the afternoon we meet up with our friends at the local splash pad. You know that made these little ones happy.

 Then for the evening a dinner gone wrong (diet restrictions are not easy) and a sleepover that included milkshakes and the movie Frozen. Again, happy, but tired little ones.

The next morning time to ride the Metro into the city. Remember getting there is half the battle fun!

 Reese did also request to meet the president. Unfortunately, we had to cancel on him because we were too busy.

 Comparing feathers, now that is what we came to DC for. Really! It isn't what she is doing but who she is doing it with.

 I said after we hiked the length of the reflecting pool "Girls, turn around and look back at the Washington Monument". Not a one cared or even heard me... What was I thinking... There were baby ducks!

 Why look at that view behind us, when there is baby ducks in front of us?

 I will follow this wonderful lady anywhere she moves...no, really, I will. In less than a year, for the third time I will move into the same state as her. We have done Florida together, Virginia together and soon be in Maryland (maybe) together.

 Brady got to see her much requested statue. At the end of the trip home she proclaimed "My dream came true! I got to see the Lincoln Memorial!" That alone made the madness of the trip worth it. She actually appreciated the trip.

 DC trip isn't complete without a food truck stop!

Sleepover without the Slumber

Brady asked for a sleepover for her 7th birthday. This momma isn't quite ready. We compromised... all the fun of a sleepover (pizza, movie, candy, PJs, staying up late) without my taking care of other children overnight. So her party was scheduled 5-9:30. I know, genius!

I will have to say, it may have been my favorite party I have ever hosted. It is also my first 'drop-off' party I every hosted. So that means the kids came adult-less. That means this momma was one vs. ten. Pure innocent fun without loads of mommas intervening.

I smiled the ENTIRE 4.5 hours. My cheeks got sore and I kept smiling. It was a blast to watch, so I am sure it was a blast for the ten kids.

Brady was the brainstormer behind most of the party. She decided the colors should be red ("boys might not like seeing only pink"). She picked "Sound of Music". She decided to have a candy buffet instead of a cake so it was like the movie theater. She came up with labeling the bathrooms and exit like the theaters.

Since the movie of choice was "Sound of Music" I made them all PJs of similar fashion. So after pizza, all the kids were eager to put on their new PJs.

Well, then right after everyone was dressed they all decided to run outside to play...in their PJs. But who cares let them have fun!

Presents were opened, and every kid gifted the perfect present!

What a great group with is!

The movie only caught their attention for about an hour. But we caught a couple classic slumber party moments.

After I put Elli in bed,  I let the kids fill one jar up with candy... exciting. Jack even got to try his first Reese's cup!

Jack asked for a drum roll before he ate his first Reese's.

Candy and popcorn!

 When I saw them all wavering, I suggested playtime again and then the dress up bin was raided! Perfect time to blast the Frozen soundtrack! Girls chased boys, boys attempted to do the worm, kids played zombie, butterflies fluttered, lyrics were belted, memories were made, FUN WAS HAD!

All the kids were well behaved and not a tear was shed. I consider the night to be a success. I love that I was the only adult because I wasn't distracted by my own conversations and I reveled in the childhood fun of just being!

Can't wait to throw this type of party again!

Orthnerisms: The Red Carpet Premeire

When we put our heads together...

Brady, Reese and Jack (our neighbor, a very loyal Star Wars fan) were discussing the makes of the family cars. Brady states her family only owns Honda. Then reminds Jack his mom's van is a Honda as well. Then Brady inquired about the make of Jack's dad's truck. His response "ummm, uhh, um oh yeah, it is a Toyota. I like that because it is like Yoda." Brady exclaims "mom, that is a another compound word, TOY-YODA!!!!"

Brady-ism:

Driving in the car, Brady and Reese are coloring pictures from a princess coloring book. Out of the blue "mom, what size clothes do you wear?" I hesitantly reply "eight". Brady says, "oh this girl wears a four then."

Reese-ism:

One night my friend was coming over after the girls' bedtime to visit and just chat. I informed the girls of the visit at bedtime so they wouldn't be confused when they heard the talking while they were trying to fall asleep.

Reese: "But why is she coming over?"
Me: "We like to talk to each other."
Reese: blank stare of confusion
Me: " You know how you like to talk with your friends and play with them, it is like that."
Reese: "but parents aren't friends"

Elli-ism:

Yes, this is the premiere of Elli on the Orthnerism posts...and boy is it a doosey.

This has happened three times now, so it is not a coincidence.

Elli passes gas, looks at me, points to her diaper between her legs and says "Uh-oh!"



That's all for tonight folks...until next time...

Long time, no see

Well I have taken a month hiatus from blogging...so it is time for a catch up post. Fasten your seat belt, you are in for a wild ride.

Since we last spoke, we have...

danced in two recitals

 gotten married for the 983rd time

 tie dyed shirts and onesies

 painted ourselves with colored vanilla pudding

 let the wind blow through our hair

 taken the time to enjoy each other's company

 watched a little television

 welcomed Daddy home...

 ...then said good-bye three days later

 put our pudgy toes in the sand

 caught up with MC crew

enjoyed story time with pop pop

designed cake masterpieces 

saved Koi fish from the brink of starvation 

enjoyed each other a little more 

 found a lense cap...

... and solved the mystery of where is belongs

 added 'duck' to our vocabulary

 created our rural version of krispy kreme

tried out for the circus, got rejected

 played a game of six year old socialite diva

 discovered our third type A personality in the fam

 buried dogs in the sand

 attempted a family shot...

 ...somewhat successful

increased the country's metal emissions 

 attempted to save the grass from the attacking sprinkler

 skipped backyards in our July 4th parade that only we attended

 but it was a parade a lot were sorry to have missed

 there were even patriotic parade princesses

 rocked our new hairdos

 visited with our first Navy BFFs

 took a shower outside

 readjusted our smiles

 readjusted our hallway wall

 discovered the advantages of mobility

 experimented with the load capacity of the radio flyer

 breastfed and watched breastfeeding

did a little school supply shopping

completed the complexity of all three girls chasing the same boy

 babysat

 wore GP out

 enjoyed the view from up there

 squealed at the sight of our main man

 proved that walking is overrated, just climb instead...

 ...or drive, really

 attempted to cuddle with daddy, it at least smelled like him

 did PT on second floor banister

 celebrated our anniversary together, kinda

 sailed through the Panama Canal, yes one of us really did!

 found our inner picasa 

 altered our smile again

 played hide and seek

 tried to be a fish.

So now you know why we haven't been at this darn computer!

Now off to zoo camp tomorrow!