Lost Tooth!

What a surprise! We were eating a picnic last Wednesday when Lucas told me, "My tooth feels funny." I had noticed it looking crooked over the last couple of weeks and thought, "Wow. I didn't realize before that his teeth were so crooked. " When he noticed it "felt funny" I realized, "Duh! He has a loose tooth!"

He ws upset about it for a bit because he didn't like how it felt and was worried that it would hurt. After some talking and reassuring, he went on eating his lunch. Five minutes later, "My tooth!!" It had fallen out with a bite of his pb&j. Voila! The first lost tooth. He was VERY excited and immediately put it in an envelope and put it under his pillow.

The tooth fairy was very generous for a first tooth and left him $1 that night.
What a momentous occasion!

National Cathedral and National Arboretum

Based on my posts, you would think that living here is one big party (because we're always visiting places).

Well, my friends, it is. And you all have an invitation.

A couple of weeks ago the boys and I went with Diana, Emmet, and Gabe to the National Cathedral and the National Arboretum. Talk about opposite sides of the tracks. The Cathedral is in the ritzy part of DC, the Rock Creek area. Beautiful part of the city, and I loved seeing the Cathedral. It was like a little piece of Europe in the U.S. I want to go back and do a more in-depth tour. We walked around inside for a bit and spent a lot of time in the gardens.

The main chapel, looking towards the entrance/exit

The main chapel (with the entrance/exit at our backs).

The Arboretum was on the "other side of the tracks". A not so nice part of the city, but once inside the gates of the arboretum, it's wonderful. Quiet, pretty, interesting....and, for those who are asking, "What the heck is an arboretum?" Here is the definition from the website:

"An arboretum is a living museum where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes"

Once again, a place to go back to and explore a little more, but we got a small taste of it.

I think their favorite part was watching all the koi.

A bunch of them swam to one corner hoping to be fed.

We spent most of the time on the azaela paths throwing rocks and sticks.
These pillars were originally at the Capitol Building, but are now on the Arboretum grounds. Somewhat random, but kind of neat looking.

Visitors II

Following a fantastic visit from my sisters (see previous post), we had another fantabulous visitor.

My friend Em (full name Emily, but I only call her that when she's in trouble) came into town for a couple of days to visit. So fun.

Lucas took this picture (he's very into picture taking lately). Let me alleviate your fears; my shoulder is not impaled. That is the Washington Monument peeking behind me.

We showed her some of the sights of our incredible Nation's Capitol and really enjoyed having her around for a couple of days.

So glad you came, Em! Come again!

Visitors

We LOVE visitors!!!
My two sisters, Julia and Alison, and adorable nephew Hayden (son of Julia)came to visit for a very fun, albeit too short, visit a couple of weeks ago. It was so fun!

We had 3 days, 3 kids, 3 women, and 1 dream...

Day One:

Ride the metro to Washington, DC. Meet Cory for a picnic lunch on the White House lawn...well, at least the lawn behind the White House. "W" was too busy that day to dine with us.

Walked to the National Mall, where we stopped at the WWII Memorial,

And the Lincoln Memorial.

Day Two:

Mount Vernon

This included the "Potomac River Sightseeing Cruise". The narration was less than stellar, but the kids liked the boat.

Girls' Night Out in Old Town Alexandria while Super Dad/Uncle Cory watches the 3 boys.

Sisters, Italian food, ambiance, and a stop at the Walgreen's for Alison to get a passport photo.

Very fun.

And home before 10:00 as we'd been dragging children and ourselves to national historic treasures for 2 days.

Day Three:

Visit to Hershey, PA.

3 women

3 kids

One Chrysler Towne and Country Mini Van (kindly rented by Julia to get us all there...have I mentioned my dream car is a mini van? I am so a mom).

Approx. 5-hour round trip

Meet up with our brother David and his wife, Maida (who are living in State College, PA toattend Penn State). Good times! Gabey kept talking about going to "Choc-o-late World" (Yes, another cruel joke on Gabriel...let's take him to a place dedicated to something he cannot have)! I did take some Gabey chocolate for him.

In the end, we pushed each child to their absolute maximum...but we all had fun.

And, if you were wondering, I did cry when they left. Why do people have to leave after they visit? Especially the family people?

Thanks, Jules, Al, and Hayden for the visit! Let's do it again!

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Two weeks ago, Uncle Sam gave us a great gift: a trip to the beach. We were very fortunate to be able to take a long weekend and drive about 9 hours south to Hilton Head Island, SC. Travelocity hooked us up with a good deal on a condo at Palmetto Dunes Resort. It was a a studio with a little kitchen and sofa sleeper, and about a 5 minute walk to the beach.

We had no agenda; just wanted to play at the beach and relax, which is pretty much what we did.

Gabey was totally in his element in the sand, but didn't like getting near the water.

Lucas got into the water with me!

The boys liked helping Daddy find hermit crabs in the tidepools. We rented bikes to ride on the beach. Of course, Cory's job was harder as he pulled an extra 70ish pounds behind him with the kids in the kiddie cart. They loved it. Except when we actually rode on the beach and it was too windy...Gabey was screaming to leave (our children seem to develop a fear of wind around the age of 3; fortunately, Lucas grew out of it, and we're hoping for the same for Gabey. I think his fear began when I openened the car door to get him out and his balloon was sucked out into balloon heaven in the sky. Anyway, I digress), and Lucas was hiding under the blanket. We did enjoy other bike rides exploring the island.

A happier bike ride.



Making sand angels. And sand messes.

Eating at the Big Bamboo, a 40's-themed restaurant.

Spring in DC

If you have any blogging friends/family who live in the DC area, you've most likely seen a post already about the Cherry Blossoms. But you haven't seen ours.

Diana and I took the kiddos -- Lucas, Gabriel, Emmet, and Gabriel -- to the Cherry Blossom festival. It was a great day -- a warm 76! We spent all day picknicking, running, exploring, and wearing everyone out. Attempting to cooridnate 4 boys for a picture....ha!

The main area of cherry blossoms is around the tidal basin, which is where the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is located. Lucas asked of Jefferson was really that big.

The beaver's sign says, "Stop. Please don't pick the cherry blossoms". The kids loved the beaver signs. And, as part of the festival, there was a tent where the kids could do various activities and earn a junior ranger badge. Lucas took his very seriously and was on the look out for anyone picking the cherry blossoms.

The Tulip Library.

Little boys don't tip-toe through the tulips. They race.

All in all, a great spring day!!

Stay tuned for the "Martin trip to Hilton Head Island, SC" post...coming soon!

We Don't Have to Hide It

The Office returns for new episodes TONIGHT (April 10) and, yes, we are looking forward to it.
None of this pretending like we didn't know it started tonight or that I didn't just watch a clip of Steve Carrell on Jay Leno to see a clip of tonight's episode (which was a kick in the pants, I might add) or that it hasn't been on my kitchen whiteboard calendar.