Trip Recap

Hey All!

It's been four days since we got back in to town and this is my first chance to hop back on to blogger. We had a great, but hectic, trip. It was great to see everyone, and for those we would have like to have hung out with but were unable-- I apologize!! Even with 4 days it's barely enough time to work in the family stuff. Scott and I were also sick the entire time which added an additional, um, element to traveling. Lots of Robotussin and tissues.

As usual the girls were champion car travelers. In this day and age I think it's rare to have kids who can make it nearly 12 hours on a trip with only about 45 minutes of DVD time. They alternate between chatting, napping, snacking and playing with toys. But when the whining hits full throttle we don't hesitate to whip out the portable DVD player, or the "little TV" as they call it.

This was also the first trip that I think both Leah & Sydney were VERY aware of the schlepping that was going on. More than once Leah proclaimed "I don't want to get on the highway!!" Also a lot of "shy" attacks when we would arrive somehwere-- the warm-up period for them was at least 20 minutes, if not more depending on how cranky they were.

Photos are forthcoming-- I need to grab them off Scott's laptop and upload-- will do another Picasa web album.

Trip Highlights:

• Sydney decided that she CAN use the potty. Not everytime, but a LOT. She actually was dry all day yesterday (used the potty 3 times) and this mainly started when we arrived at Diane's house Thursday night
• Trip to Port Discovery in Baltimore on Friday with DeeDee (Diane) It was pouring rain and bitter cold but the museum was wonderful and the kids got a kick out of the very in-depth and hands-on Clifford The Big Red Dog exhibit.
• Getting to catch up with the Mostows (Steve, Pam, Sam) and explore their neighborhood. and the great festival that was going on. The girls loved hanging with Sam!
• Visit to great grandparents Belle & Ben-- the girls liked sitting on their big chairs and calling them Princess Thrones.
• Getting together with the entire Shankman clan at Phyllis' house. Almost all the great grandchildren were there (Ryan was at beach) and the girls had a blast playing with everyone and we got to spend time with everyone including GiGi, Poppy Nate and Joel.
• The girls first Metro ride down to the Mall and trip to the Air & Space Museum. Sydney did NOT like the astronaut models in the museum and demanded OUT. But they got to do the carousel on the Mall and topped it off with popsicle and then finally dinner in Bethesda. It was great to have a full day with Poppy Joel!
• A gorgeous day at the National Zoo and we were met by both Todd and his daughter Alison, along with Amy Dunn and her little guys. A highlight for Scott was lunch with everyone at the site of his underage drinking antics, The Zoo Bar on Connecticut Ave.
• Dinner at the Far East with Myra, Alan, Isaac and Diane-- the girls specifically request this place because they have these voracious fish that you can feed. Great way to end our trip

Next thing you know it was Tuesday morning and time to hit the road again!