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...

Back To...It All

I sent my kids back to school on a frigid Tuesday morning this week.  Call me crazy, but there is no denying there was a hole in my heart all day long.

With back to school came "back to...it all".  Morning routines, pick ups, homework, and of course, extra curricular activities.

Jack started back to karate.  And even has a blue belt to boot after a graduation.  His passion has not wavered.  I have a feeling this is something that will keep us busy for years to come.  We couldn't have been more proud to stand by him and watch as he donned his newest accomplishment.

Maggie went back to ice skating lessons.  Her latest and greatest love.  We are giving the new rink that just opened a mere 2 miles from our house a try.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention the distance.  It was a definite selling point.  As if the proximity wasn't enough, we were more than impressed with the coaches and the facility.  In the famous words of Annie, "I think we are going to like it here".

Maggie was more than excited to take to the ice in her new skates {the rentals just weren't cutting it} and this ever so glamourous Frozen outfit.  For the first time in my seven years {and a few moths} as a parent, I caved and bought clothing, other than jammies, with a character on it.  {And this, my friends, is why my kids don't make Target runs with me}  She begged and pleaded in her sweet Maggie way and when we established it as an "ice skating/dress up outift",  it found it's way to our cart.

And you better believe there was no way I was talking her into buttoning up her coat and covering up her coveted tutu dress.  The thought!  I have to say my beautiful girl pulled it off well.

And my darling Lucy...being the trooper she is {or possibly because she doesn't know any different}, tagged along for it all.  Although, I must note she did return to her beloved gym class this week and music will follow the next.

Yes, we are back...to all of it.

2014: A Year In Review

It's that time again, where I sit back and reflect on another year come and gone.  This post is always so bittersweet for me.  It's amazing to see all we have accomplished and how much the littles have grown {and my, how they have grown!}.  But it's also another chapter in our book of life closed.  Sigh...

Unlike 2013 {I could have kicked that one in the rear on it's way out}, it's hard to say goodbye to 2014.  As I dug through our pictures, it was almost impossible to pick just one event from each month.  With three kids there is so much to relish in and so many significant changes along the way.  

Most of which I saw in Lucy this year.  I hardly recognized that sweet chubby faced baby back at the beginning of the year.  I just kept watching her change through pictures as the months went by.  I had to hold back a few tears...my last baby.  How could this have happened?  And so fast!

Honestly, most of the highlights I chose are happy and heart melting.  Some are lasts, there are a few firsts and a couple onlys.  

So shall we begin?  Here's a look back at 2014...

January:  Almost a year ago to date I was snowed in with my favorite family in the universe.  The Snow Apocalypse that hit our city was one that I will never forget.  It was dreadful and exciting all at the same time.  The dreadful part was most definitely my wee {and nerve racking} drive home from pre-school with two baby girls.  All the while worrying about my big boy stuck at school. 

Once home, safe and sound, the exciting part began.  And only after a giant exhale.  We spent days catching snowflakes on our tongues, building snowmen, sledding hills, dressing and undressing from our adventures outdoors, and spending a lot of "quality" time together.

February:  Lucy had her 18th month Birthday at the end of February.  I found this to be a pivotal moment in my life as a Mommy of three.  I can't lie...three rocked my world.  I went from totally having it all together to totally trying to keep it all together.  I wouldn't change adding to our family for the world. Lucy has been a blessing beyond my wildest dreams.

However, at 18 months I started to catch my breath again.  Lu was dropping her morning nap...amen!  And in her own little way, she was giving herself a voice and adding her Lululicios personality to it all!

March:  I found myself regrouping in March.  Trying to catch up for lost time {i.e. the previous year and a half of adjusting to our new family dynamics}.  The first order of business was quality time with my oldest.  My first born who was now off to Kindergarten full time.  So that's basically the premise of how Jack's Extra Special Night was created.

I kidnapped him from school, drove him to a hotel with a car full of board games, and spent the evening just being with him.  Extra special indeed...and I know he felt it.

April:  It would seem obvious to choose my kid's birthday parties for the appropriate months.  But, I haven't done that.  Jacks is actually the only one.  And this is because, it may have possibly been his last.  Okay, it I'm being honest, I hope it's not his last, and "possibly" is really only a big fat giant "maybe".

But, that being said, Jack has chosen to take a trip this year for his big 8.  I'm certainly excited, but also dealing with the emotions that our Animal Adventure was the last boy party I may ever get to plan in celebration of, well, my favorite boy.

May:  Huge accomplishments for my littlest this month. Lucy became a swimmer and an ISR graduate.  I was so proud of her and marveled in the way she took her lessons with such stride.  My fastest and easiest swimmer of all.  Kudos to Lu!

June:  Our summer was filled with vacations, camps, and fulfilling "Summer Lists".  But the best part of June was spending a week at the beach with my family.  Something about the sand and the sunshine...it's just a part of me and probably always will be.

July:  We took our first Disney Cruise this month.  It exceeded all my expectations.  You better believe this will be in another year's review...one day!

August:  In August, I sent all three of my kiddos back to school.  As always it was bittersweet.  But nothing sticks in my mind more than the fact that it was Lucy's first year in pre-school and Maggie's last year in pre-school.  The latter literally brings me to tears.  I will NEVER be prepared for my Maggie to go to Kindergarten this year.  NEVER.

September:  September seemed to be a kick off for the Frozen phenomenon that would soon engulf our lives.  As if it hadn't already been Maggie's latest and greatest obsession, we spent the next three months immersed in it.  We started with the Frozen on Ice show, followed by an Elsa halloween costume, then a Frozen birthday party, and capped it off with enough Frozen loot to fill a Disney store for Christmas.  The movie that just keeps on giving...

October:  So much happened in October, but the most endearing of all was seeing the final product from our family photo session. I fell in love with my family all over again {maybe because they can't argue, wiggle, and bounce off the walls in a photograph}.

November:  I can't believe it, but I started the year off with a baby and ended it with a potty trained toddler.  As I mentioned before, the greatest changes in 2014 were with this little one.  For the first time in 7 odd years, we are diaper free!  Okay, I best be honest...we are still sporting a bed time diaper.  Even with that, it has been so freeing.  Although, I think I've seen every public restroom in a 20 mile radius over the past couple of months.

From dropping naps, to swimming, to potty training, this gal of mine has had quite a year.

December:  For my last month of 2014, I didn't choose the obvious.  Yes, we adore Christmas and all the family and festivities that come with it.  But, this December, something else caught my attention.

I'm sure I've mentioned this at some point or another, but Jack adores school.  And anytime we hit a break on the calendar we experience a wee bit of turbulence.  He has an adjustment period whether it be at the beginning of the break, the end, or both.

This winter break proved no different.

We just happened to be going through an adjustment when we made our visit to Stone Mountain this year.  As hard as it is to do, sometimes I just have to sit back and wait for him to "snap out of it".  So what makes this event so memorable to me was Jack...up on the mountain...totally carefree...happy...full of life...and in total explorer mode.

It was almost as if the fresh air and the freedom morphed his attitude.  I can't really explain it except for that he was just a different child.  I think he could lived up there and been happy all the days of his life.  I don't think I'll ever forget the side of him that I saw that day.  And how he "snapped out of it" up on a mountain of all places.

So there it is.  Our 2014.  Over all a pretty fabulous year with a lot of growing and changing.  I truly feel blessed to have spent it with my party of five.  All of it...the good, the bad, and the bittersweet.

As hard as it is to say goodbye to another year, I'd be lying if I didn't say I was looking forward to 2015 {not so much the Kindergarten thing though}.  I foresee a lot of traveling {because I've already got 3 fun vacations planned-and that's only in the first half of the year}, a family wedding, some more growing and changing, and more than likely a little adjusting.

I'm thinking we are on the brink of an amazing 2015.

Here's to a healthy, happy, and memory filled new year!  Goodbye 2014-you were mighty good to us!