Oh Sweetnickers, what a whirlwind weekend it was. Friday afternoon, we headed far South to visit a friend, Chris, in Virginia. Since he lives so close to Washington DC, it was a chance for us to see all the sights. And see them we did. I don’t think we could have crammed more into our weekend if we tried. We walked for miles and miles and miles, and I’m amazed that Madeline’s little legs carried her as far as they did. She was quite the trooper, along with her brother, and everyone will be recuperating this week for sure.
In our journey, we managed to cross four states off our list, as we ventured through Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and DC. It was our first time in DC, and it was fun taking it all in with the littles. Hopefully my poor friend Chris survived our visit!
This was my first road trip with the kids on my own beyond just the shore. Although we have traveled before since The Ex and I divorced, it was always with another family or two. Believe me when I tell you, it was a proud moment for me. Just getting to DC and back without getting lost makes me burst with pride, but doing it on my own is an accomplishment. I never want my being single to stop us from any adventures, and this was a good testament to that. Considering just going to the grocery store is sometimes an adventure on its own, this was way beyond that. We survived, had fun and have some 500 pictures to prove it.
Whittled it down to just 42 for the weekend recap, trying to spare you! The rest will be broken out into separate posts over the coming weeks. Hope your weekend was filled with just as much awesomeness!
xoxo
My co-pilots forty-five minutes into the trip. She’s fast asleep. And do you see Nick? No? That’s ’cause he’s lying down across the back row, already konked out.
Madeline made me stop and take a picture of this statue. She’s huge – look at her tower over that house! In Delaware, outside a church.
Love this one. Maryland waters.
Omygosh, do you know how hard it was to get this sign? On the bridge? Seriously, Virginia government, help a family out! Thank goodness Nick was awake and ready for this one.
Oh those cheeks, I just want to pinch them. Chris introduced the kids to Snuggies. I think they were fans.
Madeline recovering from Friday night activities.
Sadly, not one “Welcome to Washington” sign to be found. Pity that.
My favorite picture of Nick this weekend, looking all Secret Service-like in front of the White House.
Miss Cranky Pants wanted no part of pictures in front of the White House. Luckily she warmed up by the time we got to the back.
I love, love, love that Michelle Obama put in a “White House kitchen vegetable garden,” however I think if its proximity to the actual White House was a little closer, it would be way more believable.
I told Nick that I had to go all the way to Atlanta to learn how to “squish” things in photos. He didn’t think it was funny, but it’s the truth, ’cause my friend Dresden was the one who taught me how to do it, and I learned it from her when we met at the Coca-Cola Living Positively conference.
This is my favorite picture of Madeline from this weekend. Because it is totally her personality to want to go wading in the World War II Memorial waters.
My second favorite picture of Madeline from this weekend. The glasses and hat were her own doing. Chris said the store had a sign about not taking pictures. I decided this was worth the risk.
My mom would love this store. When Chris went in here, I nearly had heart palpitations. Has he not met my children?
Nick’s highlights from the weekend were a spontaneous visit to a skateboard park (more coming in separate post), seeing the monuments and there was one more thing that I have already forgotten and he’s fast asleep. Need to remember to ask tomorrow. Madeline’s were “the waterfall” (referring to the three bodies of water she found and proceeded to dunk herself in), the trolley ride last night and meeting Chris’ dog. A friend just came back from a 12-day trip to Alaska. When I asked her son what his favorite part of the trip was, it was the scrambled eggs they had at the Hilton Garden Inn. A chain hotel we also happen to have five minutes away from the house. That just goes to show you … it matters not what’s on your travel or vacation schedule, kids will have fun no matter where you go, what you plan or what you do.
Happy week, folks!
Lovely photos.
What? You don’t think Michelle gardens often? :)
Just yesterday I drove by most of those places. :) I have taken photographs of the Mary statue previously. I used them for a shutterspot.
I am quite impressed that you didn’t get lost…given how often we did on our road trip. I’m thinking Patsy and I might be more disruptive than the kids. We’re also worse at getting pictures of welcome to “insert state here” signs. Oops. I’m so glad you guys made it and had fun! Seems like it was a roaring success!
i definately had a blast and the pictures turned out great. still not recovered and im sure it will take me all week. im glad everyone had a good time and you got back safely. xxoo
Great pictures! So many of them are familiar sights to me since I live in northern Va. Love the shop with all the glitzy furnishings. And love Ben’s Chili Bowl. Did you get anything at Cake Love? I’ve been there and really wasn’t all that impressed. Plus it’s very pricey….
Looks like a fun weekend was had!
Washington DC is on my “want to go to list”. We’ve driven through but never stopped. I need to see the monuments some year. Them and the Statue of Liberty too.
Love the picture of Nick hanging from the lamppost.
A great weekend.
Lots of things for the kids to remember seeing.
Yay — you’re in my neck of the woods! I’m from Maryland just outside D.C. and venture into the city often. Looks like you had some great moments on your trip.
Seeing the White House for the first time is definitely a thrill — we went there on a school field trip when I was in second grade, and I can still remember walking up to the main doors! (Security was looser around 1992, I suppose.)
Beautiful pictures!! You guys look like you had a fantastic time.