March 5A - Matthew, Grace and I go to DC

Matthew and Grace had decided they wanted to go to DC this weekend but instead of staying at a hotel there, Matthew made the economically savvy decision to see if we'd be home.  Since Liam and Malia weren't home, I was happy to tag along with them and go places that I wouldn't be able to go with two children in tow.  We went to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.  Matthew gave one of the statues his phone to take a selfie- I thought this was hilarious.

Then we walked to the Lincoln Memorial.  It was a pretty long walk... but we made it.

As we were nearing the memorial we saw a lot of people posing for pictures and one pose that seemed common was tilting the head to one side.  We decided to try it:

 The Washington Monument was between the museums and the Lincoln Memorial... I snapped a picture on the way back.  It was perfect weather for a walk around DC.  I've really only walked around DC two other times- my first trip was in June of 2012 when I was very pregnant with Liam and the other was when I was pretty pregnant with Malia and also during the summer.  So it was nice to walk carrying just my own weight and not to be sweating.

 So funny story.  Our plan was to go to the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture.  So that was our first stop.  We walked and walked and walked and found out it hasn't opened yet.  I watched a 60 Minutes piece on it and was so excited to go but if I had listened to the very beginning of it (which I always miss from fast-forwarding through commercials) I would have heard them say it opens in September.  Oops.  Here's the closed building we walked to but weren't able to enjoy from the inside.

March 4 = Potty Day!

Today was such an exciting day for several reasons.  The first is that Malia let me put her hair in a ponytail.  That was very exciting for me.

 Next- Malia used the potty!  I'm going to try to cause as little embarrassment for the future with my choice of words but this is a big deal so I need to document it!  Malia was struggling a bit in her high chair so I thought it would be a good opportunity to sit her on the potty (that her brother refuses to use) and sure enough it worked- first time and she did both! 

Zachary got this cute little dress for her the other day from the Midshipmen Store but since it's still freezing outside, I put her in this ensemble- isn't she adorable??

Zachary took the kids to Smithfield this afternoon too.  He has a cycling meet this weekend that he's going to and so he thought it'd be a good chance for me to get some alone time since I don't get a lot of that.  I was feeling a bit lonely after they left and my brother called and asked if he and Grace could come up.  It was perfect!  Now I don't have to be alone but I also don't have to clean up after anyone or change any diapers and I get to watch something besides Bubble Guppies and Caillou.  But here's a cute picture of the kids with Grandma and Pops:

March 3 = Ice Cream Day

We tried a new activity today!  In the past, we've used craft poms by getting Liam to put them through old paper towel rolls but they were Halloween poms and only dark colors.  I went to AC Moore and got a bunch of colors and found bowls or plates for each color and encouraged Liam to sort them.  He had fun... can you tell??

 Malia had fun too just not in the same way...

Liam got back to work and started sorting again so Malia found fun somewhere else... the laundry basket.

Liam had a good lunch- his new favorite food is butternut squash.  He'll eat a whole squash in two days.  He'd eat the whole thing in an hour if I let him.

And later, Zachary tried to enjoy a bowl of ice cream but didn't get very far...

Also here's my favorite Facebook meme of the day:

March 2 = Playdate Day

I took so few pictures today!  One of the two I'm going to share isn't even mine but it is funny:

Our friends, Amy and Evie, came over today. Evie had a dentist appointment close to our house so they ran by afterwards.  Amy and I tried to chat while the kids went up and down the stairs.  Otherwise, we had a pretty routine day but Liam didn't sleep very well last night and didn't get a nap today so he crashed hard.  I know this is hard to see but just trust me that he has a blanket over his head and his dead LeapPad beside him.  He was also snoring.  Sleeping kids are the best.

March 1 = MOPS Day

Last year, I was trying to find a MOPS group to join.  I was in a MOPS group in Jacksonville and it was a nice two hour break two Tuesdays a month where the kids got to play with other kids and I got to listen to speakers and talk to other moms.  Well... I found one two minutes from our house but they didn't have any availability for childcare so I was on a waitlist.  I got an email a couple weeks back that they had room so they were able to add some new moms!  We were supposed to go two Tuesdays ago but the schools were closed because of snow so they canceled the meetings.  So today was the day!  I got the kids in their respective rooms and then went to the meeting.  I got to sit at the gold table- each table has a color and a flower and we're the sunflowers.  Quick history on why I love sunflowers: when we got home from the hospital after Malia was born, "Liam" got Malia sunflowers as a welcome home (and welcome to the world) present.  So I love sunflowers!  Anyway!  We had quite a bit of time just to talk to the other people at our table and everyone was so very friendly- it was such a relief.  Then they had two speakers- co-owners of a local toy store, talking about the importance of play.  They talked mostly about outdoor play which we haven't been able to experience lately but it gave me some good ideas for when that time comes.  I had Liam in the CDC today because Tuesdays are kind of rough and Zachary has to stay later tonight that normal.  I was tempted to stay at the meeting but the CDC serves lunch at 11:30 so if I had stayed, I'd have to go home, feed him, and then take him and it just didn't make a lot of sense.  I knew that most of the social time is at the end of the meeting so I was disappointed but... oh well- better planning next time.  Here are my babies on the way to the car... how sweet!

So we went the CDC and on the way, Malia was saying "Minnie!  Minnie!"  So I told her I'd get Minnie when we stopped.  And then realized... we left Minnie at the meeting.  So I dropped Liam off and then rushed back to the church.  The meeting had just finished and one of the moms told me some of them were going to the playground in the back of the church if I wanted to join!  So I still got some social time anyway- wins all around!

So at home, Malia and I had some rest time and cleaning time and then, before we knew it, it was time to get Liam.  So we picked him up and then headed to AC Moore to get some things for activities that will hopefully be a success... and hopefully I'll post about them because they went so well... fingers crossed.  Well, we just had the best time in AC Moore.  Going up and down the aisles, Liam was pointing out different colors and letters, numbers and animals.  Malia was in her stroller and Liam was helping me push her.  It was beautiful.  I found what I needed and we went up to the front. And then it all fell apart.  I don't know what set him off but Liam lost his mind.  Fell on the floor, slammed his head on the floor... was screaming at the top of his lungs.  I just ignored all the stares I was getting, got through the transaction and got to the car.  Then we headed to chickfila.  I stopped and cut up their chicken, put it in snack cups and gave it to them to eat on the way to the gym.  I had a great workout and by the time we got home it was time to read stories and go to bed!  So besides the AC Moore breakdown, we had a really great Tuesday!

February 29 = Leap Day!

My dear, dear friend, Jaimie, is a leap year baby so I get excited when it's a leap year because she gets to celebrate her birthday on the actual day!  I wish we were closer to her so I could have seen her.  Anyway!  I took the kids to the gym today and tried the holding hands method to get out in one piece.  It worked!

 And I just wanted to share this picture of Malia- she's got more girlishness now than I ever have... Lord help us.

February 28 = Holding Hands Day

In my last post I shared a picture with a quote that made me think of Malia... today's is one for adults. 

I've had this exact thought before when I make the kids a beautiful plate for breakfast with strawberries, blueberries, cheese, oranges, bananas... and then I grab a pack of crackers on the way out.  This was a good reminder that I need to take care of myself too in order to take the best care of my babies.

So yesterday I worked on my yoga teacher training.  I'm doing a "distance learning" program so that, unlike last time I attempted this, I don't have to devote a full weekend each month- it's just not realistic for us.  So Zachary took the kids to the gym so that I would be able to concentrate.  On the way out, he learned how unmanageable they can be when you're by yourself.  So he did something super smart- told them they had to hold hands.  And they did!  He took a video of it and showed me because he knew I'd have to see it to believe it.  But today I snapped this picture of my three loves holding hands- how sweet!

Later, we had some senior midshipmen over for dinner- lasagna.  We played Apples to Apples which made me really happy.  It was really fun- the kids were great- the midshipmen are so good with them.  It was a great day!