On MY summer vacation....

I feel like I need to rewind a bit and share some pics and stories from our trip to Northern Virginia! My girlfriend Jenna and her two boys moved across country 3 years ago, right as we were becoming inseperable! It was a long overdue trip! I had planned for months, looking forward to  every major landmark and museum in D.C. , and then I remembered that I was taking the boys! Our first time flying together, first flights for Jacob AND Charlie, and first time I was going to be traveling ALONE with the kids! Eeek! To answer your question, "Was it a disaster?" YES! Charlie was uncomfortable the entire plane ride, squirmy and AWAKE! Jacob was whiny and bored! Unbelievable! No amount of snacks, games, or lollipops seemed to help! BUT we made it there, and home again! My husbands opinion of it all...."You're now ready for anything!" *sigh* Here's a VERY good pic of us on the plane.
On the plane!
 The boys hugged and ran through the airport high on life and being reunited! That was the best they got along! It was a good thing I was there to see MY best friend, because the kids spent most of their days arguing and pouting. Oh well, Moms and Charlie had a great time! We ate LOTS of ice cream, rode the Metro to Union Station for lunch and shopping, visited the quaint town of Clifton, and even did a little real estate browsing!

Jonah, Jenna, and Savey
He insisted on their regular NOT kid size!
On their BEST behavior!
Swinging in Clifton, VA
Waiting for the train to Union Station.
Dream home #1 in Clifton
Dream home #2 down the street from Jenna!
I missed my friend and was happy to get to hug her! We stayed up late sharing a bottle (or two) of wine and talking books and kids. The boys miss eachother NOW that they are apart....curious what another year older and wiser will do next time we meet!

First Day of 2nd Grade!

 Big day at our house! I caved and let the big kid take the bus to school! First few days have been simple: He LOVES his teacher, LOVES his new classmates, and LOVES taking the bus! Nothing more to say! I am one happy mama this year!

Happy Birthday Jacob!

7 years old! I am mommy to a 7 year old! Crazy how cliche it is that time flies but it does! I am so proud of Jacob and the young 'dude' he's turning into! He's reading at a 5th grade level, developing an awesome interest in soccer, and playing the BIG brother role beautifully! I really do enjoy planning his birthday parties and turning his crazy ideas of what a theme is, into REAL party plans. This year it was a water fight! Super Soakers as the party favors, ice cream sundaes for dessert, and 300 water balloons all over the place! "The best birthday party ever!", he said. I had a great time watching the kids enjoy themselves and even getting 'pelted' by water bombs! His other plans for the day included stopping by the library to turn in his summer reading log and receiving a medal for 20 hours of reading, and dinner at Red Robin. He loves that ALL the servers sing to him and he gets a FREE sundae! A great birthday surrounded by family and friends makes for a very happy and satisfied mommy! Happy Birthday Jacob and congratulations to mom and dad for keeping you alive another year! :0)