Birthday Girls

Today was Auntie Em's birthday...and mine too! So we went over to Grammy Kelsa and Grampa Jack's house for dinner, drinks, cupcakes, and presents. The cupcakes were dark chocolate with my favorite buttercream frosting recipe. Delicious!!!

Road Trip: National Zoo

We spent Wednesday again in Washington, D.C. We started off at the National Zoo. It was a gorgeous warm sunny day and by far the best visit Miles (who grew up in D.C) or I have ever had to the zoo. The pandas were out in the open and very playful. Georgia loved seeing the orangatuan and the baby gorilla. After the zoo, we drove by Miles' old house and visited his father's grave in Arlington. We then met up with some Bates friends for dinner. We had a great time and while the kids slept in the car, we took a ride around the mall to see the monuments lit up...it is strikingly beautiful at night!

Road Trip: Museum of National History

We got Uncle Campbell up nice and early and headed on down to Washington, D.C. and to the Museum of Natural History. Georgia had fun seeing the exhibits, especially the dinosaurs, but ultimately wanted to head back to the hotel to swim in the pool!

Road Trip: Aquarium

After our stay in Philly, we continued onto Baltimore. We spent the first day swimming in the pool and visiting with Uncle Campbell. The next morning we walked over to the Aquarium. It is a great aquarium with sharks, turtles, sting rays, jelly fish, a rainforest, and an Australia exhibit. There was also a great dolphin show although tamed down for the new baby dolphin that was born 5 days ealier. We didn't see it close up but could see it swimming around with its mom in the back tank.

Road Trip: Philly

We made our first return to Philly since leaving in 2002 to visit friends (who did not live there when we did, ironically). Georgia and P had a great time playing with Oliver and Kiernan and visiting Alisson and Mike. The weather didn't cooperate (aka monsoon type conditions were present) but we had a great time at an indoor play area with more friends, Jack and Wes, as well as watching movies and playing Coucheroo (a fun couch/cushion jumping game).
Georgia, Kiernan, and Oliver snuggle up to watch "Jungle Book"

Georgia and Penelope giggle during Coucheroo

Georgia, Penelope, and Kiernan waiting for Oliver to jump.

Georgia and Kiernan in the tub. Oliver supervises.

Gator

Georgia's best buds, Mitchell and Rachel, have a gator. It may be the best children's toy ever invented. We had a great afternoon taking the gator for a spin. It was quite the lesson in negotiation and turn taking but we all survived.

Warmth

It is warming up here and starting to feel spring like. By spring like I mean high 40s-low 50s. Yeah, I know...not very warm. But when you are coming out of 0s, 10s, 20s, the frame of reference is a bit different. Hooray for outdoor play!!!!!