Chaos and Cuteness @ Mermaid Manor

My Patriotic Post

2009-07-05T18:27:00.009-04:00

Since I am so far behind on my blogging, I am combining our Washington DC trip and the 4th of July :)

We left Friday (6/27) for our 1st DC trip! The kids are old enough to last a whole day of being out, and they have already learned so much about history, Washington DC seems very relevant to them. We had a great time! Friday we went to the National Air and Space Museum, which Luke loved. We also got caught in a huge, freak shower/hail storm walking back to the hotel- so the kids got their 1st cab ride!

Saturday was our "monument" day, we made to the Lincoln Memorial, WWII Memorial, by the White House and to the Washington Monument only to learn we had to get timed-tickets super early to go inside! We also went to Union Station.

Sunday, the girls and I got up at 7 am to get in line for the Washington Monument tickets. The line was already soooooooo long, and they didn't start handing out tickets until 8:30! That day we went to the National Gallery of Art and the Natural History Museum, and then back to finally get inside the Washington Monument.

Everything went so well- hard to believe :) We definitely needed more time though, we were really rushed.

4th of July started bright and early- bike parade at church at 9! The kids decorated their bikes (scooter for Jada, she still refuses to ride a bike!) at my Mom's the day before. We went to my parents house for a cookout in the afternoon, and then to the lake in our neighborhood to watch the fireworks at Mt Trashmore. It was a nice, relaxing day :)

Lincoln Memorial:

Washington Monument:

National Gallery of Art:

4th of July:

Jada's 4th of July hair-do:

Summer, so far....

2009-07-03T17:24:00.008-04:00

June is already gone! We have had a busy start to summer. All 3 kids passed their levels in swimming lessons. Luke is now moving to Red Cross Level 2, Abigail level 3 and Jada level 4. Luke ended up doing really well- as long as his female instructor was with him. He would do nothing for the male instructor! We have also been to Sandbridge beach and the First Landing beach with friends, gone a weekend trip with my mom to Washington DC (will post that later), invaded the pool of my parents friend and had a playground playdate! On another note, my 5wk online Psych class is about to kill me, what was I thinking?!

The house situation is not going well....we were told our full-price offer was not quite good enough! We'll just have to see how things play out on that.

Last Day of Swimming Lessons, July 2:

Sandbridge:

Luke

2009-06-30T14:53:00.006-04:00

As we all know, Luke is my favorite boy :) He is super sweet and very easy to be around. And who could hurt someone who makes this face-

Well, of course, Abigail can! Here is the amount of hair she pulled from his poor little head, and the bald spot she left. Yes, that is Abby in the corner yelling at me not to take a picture of her damage!

On a much lighter note here is how a conversation goes when you take a 4 year old boy to a public (women's) restroom:

Luke: Mommy, can you come in (the stall) with me?

Me: If you need to me to, sweetie...

(we walk in and lock the door)

Luke: Mommy, can you hold my nut please?

Me: Ummm...what?! What are you talking about?!

Luke: Here, Mommy (handing me an acorn) I am saving it for a squirrel :)

My week as a working mom...and the 1st week of summer

2009-06-23T19:38:00.006-04:00

Last week I worked, Monday -Friday 9-12, in downtown Norfolk. It made me glad that most of the time I am able to stay home! It was the last week of school for the girls so that made it worse. It was a week of rushing around and mommy-guilt. We also made it through Jada's ballet show, as well as pictures, rehearsal and extra practice (all on different days- of course), I can't believe she has been dancing 6 yrs...I will try to get a picture up!

All 3 kids are taking swimming lessons at the K'ville rec this week and next. The girls are doing great, but Luke has cried both days! I think the pool is just too big and loud for him. We are headed out to Sandbridge with friends tomorrow- yay :)

We have yet another offer in on a house as well. The same house we put in our very 1st offer on, way back in October. We'll see how it goes....

Jada before her ballet recital 6/19/09

My 1st Blog Post :)

2009-06-13T19:18:00.005-04:00

Lately it seems like everyone has been saying I should start a family blog! So, here I am :) Of course, typically me, I have spent all afternoon making it look cute with no idea what to actually post. My goal is to add the completely chaotic and utterly cute things that happen when you have a very busy family of 5. FYI- Mermaid Manor is the name I am giving my dream home at Sandbridge, one day anyway! Enjoy ♥