Cars And Kratts

We had another wild weekend around here.  And by wild, I mean the usual running from event to event all day long.  I don't think there was an hour in the day that didn't have us scheduled to be somewhere.

And speaking of somewhere, I was somewhere between wiped out and dead come bed time.  But to hear Jack say it was one of his "greatest days" made it all that much sweeter.

The day started with ice skating lessons for Maggie.  I'm impressed to say, she is still enjoying it.  And all is still going well.  I have my fingers crossed that she may have found an extracurricular activity suited for her.

Post skating, we raced {no pun intended} over to the Boy Scouts Pinewood Derby.  I have to say, without exaggeration, at least 10 man hours went into the building and designing of this car.  Jack had a plan and with the help of Daddy, it was executed just as intended.  

Lucky 13 {because of Jack's April 13th birthdate} was a series of red, white and blue paint alternating from front to end.  A few all American stickers and a coat of shellac and it was finally ready to race this Saturday.

Lucky 13 came in a close 2nd place in this race.  But, the best part {for me anyway} is that little Lu over there in the background cheering on brother's race car.  Pure sweetness.

In the end, we didn't go home with a trophy, but this boy could have hardly cared.  He was so proud of his car {most especially the design} and he had a blast running around with his fellow Scout friends.

We had a quick lunch break at home, laid two little sisters down for naps, and then Jack and I made a quick get away to the Wild Kratts Live show.

It was a super cute show with the actual Kratt Brothers!  Jack and I were both pleasantly surprised.

Although, we are about a year late on the whole Wild Kratt obsession, Jack thoroughly enjoyed the show.  He made a beeline to his seat when the bells chimed at intermission.  There was no way he was missing a second of it.  Not to mention, one of his besties was right by his side to enjoy the production.

The day was hardly over even after all of this.  All three kiddos had a date with Grandma...sleep over!  According to Jack, the day just kept getting better and better.  I told him we have officially named January 31, 2015...Jack Day.

Next weekend is for sure Maggie's turn and I've got a sweet day planned for her. {and lest you think I've left the littlest out, her turn is 3 out of 5 weekdays when her bigs are at school...trust me, she is plenty loved on}

100 Days Older

It always amazes me how fast a school year can fly by.  First grade is coming and going by in a swoosh.  Which inevitably means we are all that much closer to Kindergarten for Maggie.

But, before I start sobbing, let's celebrate this kiddo, who is not only 100 days smarter, but also a 100 days older!

I just loved that Jack's class dressed up at as 100 year olds to celebrate the day.  Jack knew exactly what he wanted for his costume, right down to the mustache.  As hard as I tried, I couldn't talk him into letting me but baby powder in his hair to give it a white gleam.  Even without that, I think he looks pretty amazing.  I was practically rolling at his look.  I couldn't get enough of it.

Add the old man pose in there and he was right on.  And I was enjoying every minute of the show.

Jack came home with a backpack full of 100 day loot.  Everything from a 100 day snack to an incredible hat, art work and even an edible necklace.  He said it was a great celebration and even so humbly commented, that his "costume was the best".  Followed with, "see Mommy, I didn't need white hair".

Happy 100th day kiddo.  100 fabulous days of making us proud!

A Day In D.C.

We woke to a torrential down pour on our D.C. day.  The kids were hoping for snow, I was just hoping it would taper off in time to do our sight seeing.  Luckily it did mid-day.  And our day in D.C. was most definitely a memorable one.

The drive was a mere 35 miles from our hotel.  We ran by and grabbed cousin Halle and GG to join us.    We left the new parents and baby Paul at home to enjoy some restful bonding time.  Because I can assure you there would be no resting ahead for us.  

Because of the weather we started our day with a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.  Jack was beside himself.  Apparently this museum has been featured on a few Wild Kratts episodes and he's read up on it in a couple of his non-fiction reads.  

The museum did not disappoint {not to mention it was free, as is everything in that city}.  However, the parking situation did.  Woah!  Sweet Daddy dropped GG, me, and the 4 kids off at the front in the midst of a down pour and went on a parking hunt.  It was over an hour before we saw him again.  For real.

We wasted no time grabbing maps and touring the whole ginormaus thing.  The Mammals exhibit was by far the biggest hit with all four kids.  Even though Lucy would have nothing to do with this elephant.  "Me scared".

The butterfly garden ran a close second.  However, it was sweltering hot in there.  I was peeling off layers minute by minute.

{And I can't let the opportunity pass to point out my beautiful Grandma.  Just look at her, 77 years old and not missing a beat of this very busy and exhausting day.  Mmmm...I adore her.}

We grabbed lunch at the museum {because there was no way we were venturing out for parking again}.  And that is where the "free" museum gets ya.  Ouch!

I allowed the kids to choose one souvenir from one of the many gift shops.  And wouldn't you know, all the girls chose lollipops.  What?!  Jack was the only one wise enough to grab something that would last...a rock and minerals science experiment.

When we exited the museum with sticky faces and fingers the rain had dissipated.  We were so thrilled that we just had to grab a picture outside in front of the sign...proof of our visit.

Per Jack's insistent request {and mine too} we made a visit to the White House.  By some miracle, we found a parking spot about a block away and made the lovely walk there.  The city is so clean and for the most part, everyone was very friendly.  Most especially the police officers and the secret service agents.

Again, Jack was beside himself with excitement.  He must of taken over a 100 pictures with his mini.  However, Lucy found herself disappointed.  She wanted to see a "purple house, not a white house".  Why does Jack get to have all the fun?  She snapped out of it in no time and entertained herself with some very old snow scattered about.  She even let me take a picture of her in front that white thing.

By this point the girls were fading.  But there was no way we were getting out of there without a visit to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.  Again per Jack's request.  I can't lie, I was right there with him.  Believe it or not, this was my first visit to D.C. too.  I was just loving that I got to experience it with him.

We left the girls down low with GG, and hiked up the massive number of stairs.  Jack counted, but for the life of me I can't remember how many there were.  It was nearing night fall, so our pictures are pretty lack luster.

However, I can assure you that the dusk did nothing to smother Jack's excitement.

I printed off a few pics and snuck them in Jack's lunch box when he returned to school.  You would have thought that he had just won the lottery.  He's asked me to put them in everyday since.  Love my little scientist, and now, we can rightfully add, historian.

What was a very looooong jaunt, turned out to be well worth it.  A new baby, family time, and sight seeing...can't beat that.

But...if I had to guess, I think we will be catching a flight next time...just maybe.

Virginia Is For Family

We have just returned from the looongest {and very possibly last} road trip of our lives.  That doesn't say much for the littles, but with me being thirty something years old, I think that's pretty significant.

And it was all in the name of sweet sweet family.  I took advantage of, what I thought, was a four day weekend {that's a whole other story in itself}, to load the family up to visit the newest member of the Dumbacher family.  Baby Paul James {named after my late amazing Grandpa} was born on January 11th.  There was no way I was passing up the opportunity to welcome this little guy into the world.

Not to mention, my kids were beyond ecstatic at the thought of spending time with Uncle Joel, Aunt Catherine,  GG, and cousin Halle.  Most especially the latter.

After an extremely lengthy trip up to somewhere in northeast Virginia we arrived just in time for bed to our Marriott Town Place Suite.  This place was amazing.  Totally not for luxury, but absolutely divine for a family of five.  We had two bedrooms {with black out curtains-I'm sold!}, a living room, a kitchen and they even allowed our furry friend, Cosby, too.  Let's just say, everyone slept until 8:00 am.  I will take that on any vacation...and with a smile.

Needless to say the kids were itching to get over to Halle's house as soon as their eyes opened that first morning.  And that is exactly what we did.

I got a quick nuzzle in with this little guy before his mommy and daddy whisked him off to his doctor's appointment.  My kids hardly even noticed his absence.  They were having way too much fun playing with the cousin that can actually walk and talk.

After a belated Christmas gift exchange with GG, we rounded the kiddos up for a trip to a local bounce house place and lunch.  They were having the time of their lives, it was hard to break up the party.

We returned to find baby Paul back home {sigh}, I snuggled on him, while Uncle Joel organized some sort of art project for the kiddos.  Maybe it's the Marine in him, but I tell you what, they were all focused.  Even my busy bee two year old.

The bigs enjoyed an afternoon at the Marine Corp Museum with the family, while I took Lu home for a much needed nap.  She was way behind after that road trip.  Have I ever mentioned my kids don't sleep in the car?  Yes, you read right, a 10 hour drive...and not one measly minute of shut eye...round trip at that....unheard of, I tell you.

We topped off our evening out to dinner with the fam and then back to our spacious apartment hotel.  Which was also the sight of this darling love seat sandwich.  And quite possibly the cutest brother and sister...ever.

The next day was going to be a biggie...off to A Day In D.C. {Washington that is}.  Excitement can not even begin to describe the anticipation...