The Spring-like weather in the middle of January begged us to explore so it was a perfect day to see a few things in THE District. We stayed overnight in Rockville and got up early on Saturday to hit the town. One thing I love about DC is that it's a walking town and this unseasonably nice weather made it really easy to do.

Jon took the boys to the Air & Space Museum and I took the girls to the National Gallery. Charley hadn't been there before so I wanted her to see it. It would've been more perfect if Belén could have joined us but her job made that impossible this trip. Blair had her heart set on going to Charming Charlie's (of course we did too) but that wasn't what we came to DC for. I think Jon's exact words were "You're not going to be a girl who just wants to shop all day. Let's go see the museums."

After a few minutes of complaining she realized this could be cool and pointed out some paintings she wanted to see and asked questions like, "How did all these paintings get here?" "How old are they?" She ended up loving it and asked me to take a picture of her in front of Edgar Degas', The Dance Lesson.

Van Gogh is one of Charley's favorites so I enjoyed seeing her get up close to his paintings. She turned to me with a huge grin and said, "The use of texture on his paintings is sick." Spoken like a true teenager; one that loves art anyway.

We talked as we walked around, remembering all the times I would take Belén and Charley, then ages 7 & 5 and Reese who was just 10 months, on the metro to see the city. We lived 16 miles from DC at the time and while Jon was at work, we'd hop the train and go explore, just me and the kids. I was so lucky they were all good and content travelers. Even Reese as a baby would just sit back in his stroller and enjoy the hustle and bustle. I never worried about taking them anywhere. I like to get out and see what there is to do and babies in my house would just have to like it too. Maybe too much at times; it seems I can't even go to the corner store without a car full of kids. Oh well, it makes us all happy.

After we strolled in and out of centuries of art, we met the boys for another hour at the Space museum where they were knee deep in experiments. I love that the Smithsonian has so much for them to do and I love that it's just a couple hours drive from us. Little excursions make me so happy.

1. Young Mick Jagger? photo: Charley. 2. Blair and me admiring Monet. Photo cred: Charley
3. Charley helping Trae with an experiment. 4. Reese helping Blair

At home and Friday Finds next week

It's been 5 days since I've been staying home full-time and I must say, the break has been nice. It probably won't be this way for long but for now it's good to not have to run-off anywhere and concentrate on getting a bunch of things done around the house. It's really hard for me to cram all the chores on a Saturday when I'd rather be playing, which is what we'll be doing this weekend. I love to hit the road and go on short excursions. Who doesn't?

And since blogger is throwing a tantrum, face-down and is not letting me upload any new photos, I'll save my Friday Finds and this little makeover for next week.

Until then, have a happy weekend!

Philly freedom

I have the nicest husband ever. I've always known that. Even before he was my husband when we were just a coupla kids in high school, I knew. I just never told anybody then so as not to ruin the rep.

He decided to meet me in Philadelphia after my meeting on Saturday so we could spend the weekend together. Just the two of us. I can't think of the last time we were able to do that.

Being across the country from both sides of our families ever since we married has never afforded us the ability for a couple get-a-way. We need that from time to time, you know?

So even though he had only dropped me off at the train station 8 hours before, my heart skipped a beat when I saw him standing in the hotel lobby, all dressed up and sporting a new fitted jacket. He was on his phone, calling me so I could direct him to where I was sitting in the large lobby. We turned to see each other and continued to talk on the phone as we walked to meet. I couldn't help but let a huge grin overtake my face. This was going to be a great weekend, I thought. And it was.

We walked all over downtown, shopped at a few favorite stores, visited the Reading Terminal Market, and sat at a romantic table tucked in the back of a nice restaurant.

We meant to get back home early the following day but we played hooky a little longer and didn't return until the evening. The kids texted us to let us know they were all right and hoped we were safe and having fun. It was role reversal. Even mom and dad break curfew every now and then.

Waiting to begin the conference.

Do you know how many lights are on the chandelier? I do. My mind kinda wandered at times.

Fabric workshop and museum. Cool, huh?

Night time

Back alleys


William Penn welcomes



Fun shops

Buying treats for the kiddos at the Reading Terminal Market



Brought home new measuring cups

The end.

End of the weekend tradition

Sitting around a campfire and making s'mores has quickly become an "end of the weekend tradition" in our backyard. The smoke billowing through the trees is the signal for the neighbor kids to join in on the fun.

Charley's new invention: sticking a Hershey kiss upside down in the marshmellow and roasting it to melted chocolate perfection.

Weekend walk

It was a packed weekend but The Relay for Life event was a success. We enjoyed making a (small) contribution by working the concession stand for our team a little while on Saturday and walking the track in the middle of the night.

Overview:

I took this picture at last year's race. Our leg of the relay was at 2 am this year so I didn't have my camera this time around but it looked exactly the same.

Beautiful.

Jon and the kids

There were plenty of kid's games to keep them entertained and we came home with armfuls of stuffed animals.

Blair won

And this event, which is just one from all around the country, raised over $138,000.00.

I think we'll be with this team for a long time. Our part was very small compared to so many others who began organizing months and months ahead of time. But it's nice to be a part of it no matter what. I am thinking of creating a team for the event that is held right in my town. It takes a lot of time and commitment but I'm hoping that we can start something and have ourselves a little booth. Baby steps.

Packed but playful

I love Saturdays.

A day in review:

Charley and I went to a friend's swap where we scored a bunch of great stuff, including a few pairs of shoes. Love the plum.

On to the coffee shop for a little more time together before taking her to audition for "Footloose" and writing her note for the bulletin board.

The saying is from the tv show, "How I met your Mother."

Then Jon and I went to a birthday party with Reese where we watched them try Dance Dance Revolution.

And in-between it all we headed into the city to take some fun photos of a beautiful family.

And today I am working in the house since I willingly neglected all of those duties for the past two days.

How was your weekend?