Road Trip Day Two - early recruiting!

#crazyfamilyroadtrip Day two: Washington DC crazy walking tour...

Here is my prediction: Maddy ends up in Washington for something at some point in her life...

 Which one is the White House, mom?

 For a wild and crazy kid, she actually paused as we explained the Vietnam Memorial...they were both amazed at the number of names, and upset they couldn't read them all.

Then, we arrived at Mr. Einstein, my favorite spot in DC. The girls had a few secrets to share with Al.

 For me, Albert Einstein will always be inspirational...who cares if I've never been good with numbers or equations!

 Someday, we will all get there...

 The walking continues...up past the State Department where Mommy used to work, and to GW!

See,  proof that I did work hard and graduate! I've got a brick :)

Now, we did take the kids to The Red Lion for lunch. Because they have good sandwiches. Not because I drank many a beer there in college. Or because I took Jason there when we were dating. Nope, no other reason than I am a sentimental fool who needed to relive her younger days. I mean, to eat good food.

Maddy read the menu all by herself (for the first time!) and picked grilled cheese and a strawberry smoothie.  Emma had chicken fingers and a smoothie, Jason had a turkey reuben and I had a burger with homemade guacamole. And a nice, cold beer...of course.  

After lunch, we bought the girls pink GW basketball tee shirts, cut through J Street, walked by Mommy and Kim's old dorm, and then I went to show them the (ugly) library.  And...there is a STARBUCKS in the street level of Gelman Library, across from the music department building!!!  Lucky students.  What I would have given for that!!! So, we needed a fix to get through the rest of the day.  What timing! Look at Daddy's tired eyes...

After a quick visit to Congressman McGovern's office to say hi to Chris, we paused for a quick photo before everyone started to melt down...

The Webster Girls, taking the Capitol by storm...

 Goofy girls. Pretty and silly... and pretty silly.

It looks like Daddy is taking on the world with his girls in this photo...or leaning on the dome for a nap!

I can't believe I didn't take pictures of dinner on night #2. Kim and I walked down to the fish market (huge, open air, AWESOME!) and bought crabs, shrimp and some corn on the cob. I inhaled almost a dozen delish old bay crabs by myself... I have to find a place up here where I can get some good old bay seasoned crabs. Anyone? 

The girls slept straight through dinner and made it a good 12-13 hours before getting up at 7am! Well rested for another day!!!

Up next: Day three - the trip takes flight!

2011 Webster Road Trip - Day One

#crazyfamiliyroadtrip Day one itinerary: Marlborough to VA Beach to DC...

My handsome and always happy co-pilot. OK, and sometimes tired...

Our first trip over and through the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  

Its a bridge!

Neat!

Wait - it's a tunnel!

 Someone napped through the experience, but it helped her get over her car-sickness...so I was totally ok with that!

And then...

The beach!  The beach!  It was 84 degrees and sunny.  Woo Hoo!!!!

They had fun...

And I think Dad did too...

 Even though we were only there for an hour...

Clearly, Mamma is in desperate need of some sunshine.  We should have stayed longer!!!  Holy ghostly!

A definite highlight of Virginia Beach - the jets training.  Very cool.

We finally arrived in DC and Kim and Lonnie took us to dinner at the Marina Cantina.  Nothing like taking your two little girls to dinner at a hoppin' waterfront restaurant at 8+pm!  But first - a tribute to The Maine Lobsterman!

Next up - a recap of our first full day in DC!

Congrats!

Congratulations to Kristine and LouLu on winning a Sweaty Band from Sweat 'N Style!  I was going to give away one, but both of you new moms inspired me with how dedicated you are to squeezing in a good workout - so you each get one!  I was never that good about getting back into shape after our girls were born, and you two are amazing! Such dedication earns you both the Perfectionista's admiration and you definitely NEED a Sweaty Band to make you feel extra awesome during those "me times" I know you enjoy and will always appreciate!  Email me your mailing address and I'll get them to you asap!  Congrats again - and keep up the fantastic work!

Things I can't do, let alone do well...and other Sunday stuff

Making coffee tops the list. I know, something as simple as making a pot of coffee.  Its such a critical part of my day, and yet I depend on someone else to make it. This morning, I went to make a full pot for me and Janet (yes, we needed a whole pot) and disaster followed...

Janet had to add the sugar to the picture.  It was that bad.

Janet took over. After cleaning out the entire coffee contraption, she brewed the second much better, actually consumable, no need for a strainer pot o' Joe...

And I started reading a book she recommended...notice the fine print. "...Getting over life's little imperfections." 

Looks like I have some work to do! At least once I strain the original batch, we'll have good iced coffee, right???

After coffee, Janet and Johnny headed home, and we headed into Malden for our traditional Palm Sunday trip to visit my grandparents grave. Mom makes crosses from the palms she gets at church, we place them at the headstones, and then we all get one too.  I could use the divine intervention, so bring it on...

Then, after grocery shopping, I went to JoJo and Lauren's for a bit of retail therapy!  They had some vendors over for a fundraiser leading up to the Bosom Or Bust 5K on May 7th in memory of Jo's mom.  Nia was there from Sweat 'N Style, and I bought more awesome Sweaty Bands!!! Check the website, and like them on facebook! You saw my first one a few posts ago, and clearly I'm in love.  So I bought 3 more for me...2 for the girls for their Easter Baskets...

And one for you!!!

They are the greatest hair accessory for working out, for weekend wear, and for work even.  They stay put - seriously!  I have big hair, but a little head, so nothing ever stays put through a work out.  If you remember my post from a few weeks ago (gorgeous after-hair...) you will see how amazing they are! And I get headaches if I wear a hat to run or walk, so these are perfect for keeping my hair back, the curlies in place and out of my eyes, and the sweat off my face. And they make smaller sizes for kids!

So, I got one for you - really!  This is how its going to work...

I want to know what your favorite work out is, how you keep it fresh when you get bored or fall out of your routine, and why you want the sweaty band! 

I will check all of the comments on this post on Easter Sunday, and let you know if you're the lucky winner on Monday, April 25th!

Before I go, I have to share one of my biggest weaknesses with you - a sfogliatelle from Modern. Clearly, I am a good little (half) Italian girl, so I downed this bad boy before heading back to Jo and Lauren's for some hot tub time. I couldn't just leave it sitting there in the box!!!
 PS - thank you ladies for the time and listening.  Love you!

Don't forget - get your self the awesome, goes-with-everything, black and white Sweaty Band by commenting on this post!