We're home, y'all!

Well, we did it! We took a few days and went to D.C. We saw as much as we could...with a 7 year old and a baby. The District of Columbia is a place that's packed with people of every imaginable descent and nationality. In any given moment I heard no less than three or four different languages being spoken. Love that!



The Smithsonian Museums were great. We could have spent weeks taking a more thorough tour of them but we were determined to swing through the exhibits that would interest us (i.e. anything to do with trains for the Bubs) and to see as much as physically possible. I got a kick out of all the gardens and greenery that were dotted here and there throughout the downtown areas. They were a lovely respite amidst the hustle and bustle of the day.

The Hubs handled the crazy traffic like a pro. Seriously, the traffic is down right scary at times, y'all! We knew it would be, but still....

That little device in my hand up there was a wonderful thing to have over the last few days. It's my Zune and my Baby Cool Out playlist came in handy a couple times when E-man was quite fussy in the car. Thank heavens!

I have lots of little stories and scads of photos to share with y'all. Who knew so much could be packed into just a few days?

Thank you History Channel...

We weren't sure we'd be able to take one this summer. A vacation, that is.

We finally juggled a few things around and the Hubs has decided he's fit for travel...for a few days, at least.

So we tossed ideas back and forth, the Hubs, my Dad and I...even the Bubs got in on the vacay brainstorming process. Everything from local attractions, to the state zoo were possible ideas. The trick is to find something that will be fun/interesting for all of us. Nothing was really striking the right chord for all of us, though.

Then, out of the blue, an idea struck.

From the History Channel. That's right, the History Channel!

The Hubs was watching a special on the Library of Congress. One conversation led to another and he began talking about some of the sights he saw on his last trip through D.C., and then it hit me. Why don't we visit our nation's capital? It would be fun and educational at the same time (hopefully!).

So that's where we're going sometime this summer. I'm already looking forward to seeing a different view for a few days and the chance to hang with my family. And, of course, taking ridiculous amounts of photos wherever they'll let me!

No photos...and that's okay with me!

I have not one picture for y'all to see in this post.

Nope.

Not a one.

And I'm happy about that.

Ridiculously so, in fact.

Why?

One simply cannot get a camera near a pool filled with water.

Especially when one is in the pool splashing her boys and laughing in gleeful abandon.

Woohoo!

Mono Monday: Father's Day

These photos aren't from yesterday.

Nope.

Between cooking, guests and chasing young'ns, the camera stayed in its bag.

*sigh*

I did, however, have plenty of photos to choose from to display the Hubby's love and affection for the boys.

It was surprising for me to note that, considering how much his arms/shoulders bother him, there were quite a few photos in which he's holding, hugging or tickling the boys. All of which I know for a fact aggravate his shoulders.

But he did those things anyway.

Because he loves his boys.

A daddy's love.

"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty."

~Author Unknown

Paint With Me: Smear

I almost didn't finish this, but I was determined. Especially since I've missed out on my fave link ups lately (Mono Monday and Sweet Shot Tuesday).

Heather's theme for this week's challenge was "Smear". Hmmmm....after I got the image of myself smearing glorious amounts of paint on a giant canvas (and wouldn't that be fun!) I decided that maybe something smaller would be better. Y'know cause the neighbors may not enjoy the sight of me cavorting, paint-covered and giggling madly as I fling paint at a canvas in my driveway. My studio isn't big enough for a large canvas, you see. There is a smidge of method to my madness after all...just in case y'all were wondering.

Anyway...

Everything on this canvas board is either smeared or spattered....well, almost everything. I only used a brush for the swirls in the star's wake and a pen to outline the star a bit. This was a lot of fun and I loved that the challenge was a little outside the box. Thanks, Heather!

Have a wonderful Thurday!

Summer Vacation = Boredom and Teething?

When I was a kid in school, I used to look forward to summer vacation. I could sleep in, no homework, maybe take a vacation trip, trips to the beach, hanging out with friends...I'm sure most of you remember how it felt to be free for a couple months!

Now that I'm a parent, the meaning of summer vacation has changed. It means that I now have both boys at home all day. Two active boys. Two boys who want mommy's undivided attention. All. The. Time.

Of course, they want the attention for two entirely different reasons. The Bubs, who is used to having a scheduled day, wants to be entertained and given activities to do. I don't mind doing that for a while, but since I can't magically split myself into multiples, I have to insist that he find something to occupy himself while I tend to E-man/Hubby/the house. Perish the thought!

E-man wants to be cuddled and entertained most of the time because he's cutting 4 or more teeth at the same time (yikes!) and that makes him a bit crabby. I'd be crabby, too.

So what's a overwhelmed mommy to do? Give us time to adjust to a new routine, plan a few activities for all of us.....and set up the new little inflatable pool that Poppi bought the boys and have some fun.

It's summer vacation, after all!

Mono Monday: Happy

A boy and his buddies....

HAPPY.

*Taken at the Bubs' field day event at school. The day was overcast, windy and a little chilly...not ideal conditions for a day of outdoor games and fun. But the kids didn't care and they're excitement was infectious. The Bubs' class had just gotten done with a relay event and when I turned around, there the boys were...how could I resist this shot? They were so cute and happy.