smithsonian

We tooled all around DC yesterday and today. We went to the Air and space museum which I didn't scope out well enough prior to going to keep the kids attention the whole time. Then we went to a festival they were having on the mall and watched native weaving, wood cutting, dancing, etc. The kids liked it and my mom LOVED it! It was a busy day which ended with dinner with a friend from Wooster and his fincee (and my whole family)! The kids were less than superb but it was great to see him and meet her--they're a great pair! Today we went to the natural history museum, dinosaurs, dead lions, tigers, every kind of animal..it was much more in line with the kids attention spans. We tried to walk the monuments but they were just too grumpy (although they din't take a nap when we got home!!) so we headed back to my sisters and swam in her pool for a while. We're headed back to Ohio tomorrow which is much too soon but I think the kids are worn out.

days in DC

We made it to DC yesterday, depsite a flat tire 3 hours into the trip. An hour later and a few pictures of the kids in tires...we hit the road again and made it to DC just in time for...5 o'clock traffic...we got to Kelly's eventually and got to play at a nearby park for a while. Today we headed to the zoo. It was fun, hot, and a lot of the animals were sleeping. We did make it to an elephate demonstration where they had the elephants open their mouths, pick up their feet, lay down (that's pretty amazing) and get back up (also an effort!!), stand on a log...prior to the demonstration one of the elephants showed his own talent by turning his rear to us and pooping. Charlie wanted him to "do it again" and that was the first thing he told Jeff on the phone. "Tell daddy what your favorite thing was at the zoo." "elephant poop". It was terriffic! This evening we went to the air force memorial which was pretty cool.

catching up

This weekend we went to a wedding and the kids had a great time. They had a nice band and the kids danced and played. Another bike ride, the kids are getting to be more patient riders (in the bike trailers) and time in the blow up swimming pool and sandbox have occupied our time in Athens. We went last night to the library to see a man with a bunch of snakes--I didn't like that he just kind of set them on tables or coatrack type of things and got another one out--especially when this HUGE yellow boa constrictor was out (the thing had to be like 10 feet long and bigger than my thigh (yes that's big!!) around!!The kids liked it all right. Today we're packing and takint it easy before we head to DC tomorrow.

haircuts and baseball

We went to get haircuts today. The kids did great and especially enjoyed their lollipop's at the end of the visit! No hair on those suckers!! We took the hair home with us and added it to the dog hair that my mom saved from the dog's grooming and...no jennifer it was not made into yarn...they put it out around some of my mom's beds because the scent is supposed to keep away the deer (yes we are in southeastern Ohio.) I'll let you know if it works...Heather was thrilled with the idea and they had a great time helping grandma with this task. Tonight we went to another baseball game and the kids were obsessed with the mascott. I tried to get them into the game but they were more aware of where the big orange bear was instead of where the runners were or what team was up...

slower pace in Athens

We're taking it easy in Athens. We've explored two of the library activities, a magician and Curious George appearance, and gone on a few bike rides and I even ran this morning. Not that much activity which is nice but I do miss being able to walk out the door and go for a run or bike ride like we can at home. Well I actually can do it here but not with a bike trailer or jogger stroller (too many hills!!). Tomorrow we're going to a friend's house with three boys to let the kids play which should be fun. Then Friday we're going to get haircuts--yes Charlie is getting another hair cut...I'll post pictures...

father's day

We got to talk to Jeff over the web cam today for the first time in a while. He's grown a mustache (interesting!!) since we last saw him! The kids were happy to see him and sat longer than usual. I tried to take my dad golfing but the course was too packed for amateurs so we played tennis instead. The kids spent last night in their own rooms (their own athens rooms) and I got a good night's sleep in a bed by myself!! Now they're busy exploring their new/old stuff that they haven't seen since we left Mississippi and playing in the sandbox and sprinkler.

We went to a AAA (if that!!) baseball game in Athens last night and Heather was scared out of her mind at the beginning of the game of the mascott (a big orange bear) but by the end of the game was giving hugs and high 5's very happily. Charlie offered emphatic "no's" anytime a visit to the bear was suggested. The actually watched some of the game (we made it through the take me out to the ball game stretch) and learned that at 4 balls you walk to first base. Now where first base is...

beach days

After two trips to Huntington beach in cleveland, one with a friend that I used to work for and one with Jeff's mom the kids have thoroughly enjoyed the sand and ice cream that the beach has to offer. We also stopped at teh nature center that Jeff and Jeremy used to volunteer at and it was super fun!! *thanks for the suggestion Kathy!!* The kids loved getting to see the animals and a trip to the zoo this summer is imminent. Today we're getting ready to drive to Athens where we will be for probably a week before heading to DC to see my sister. The kids are pretty well rested after the chaotic weeks of not sleeping in the same place for more than a few nights so I think we'll be able to manage a week here and a week there without feeling that it's a frantic pace. On my excercise notes I didn't get to run yesterday but I did dance to the wiggles for an hour and carry kids up and down stairs which should count for something. Looking forward to four hours in the car...

laid back days of summer

We've taken it pretty easy the last two days, running errands yesterday and today heading out to a little park with a wading pool and some nice playground stuff. The kids are enjoying having a more relaxed schedule. Tonight we're headed to a "beach" on the lake for dinner and ice cream with a lady I used to work for. It should be fun. My mother and law and brother in law will be rooting for the CAVS at game four tonight and are still looking for a win to get them rolling...I did manage to run yesterday morning and hope to continue the trend of every other day at least by rising and shining tomorrow. Maybe if I write that I did it it will help my motivation...

Cleveland amusement

We had a fun day today with Heather and Charlie's cousins at a kiddie amusement park. The kids got to ride rides that were designed for kids 50 inches or smaller (imagine being too tall for a change!!). They rode little boats, rockets, ferris wheel, horse drawn carts, merry go round and of course a roller coater--that the kids liked lots more than mom or grandma did! The kids had a good time with their cousins and we'll hopefully get together another time this summer. We were treated to dinner with a high school friend of Jeff's/former roommate of Sara's. It was nice to see them and have some adult focused time while the kids entertained each other. It's nice to be in one place for more than three days at a time!

Cleveland

We made it through our Wooster reunion thanks to the help of lots of friends! It was really fun to see people that we're in touch with but don't see that often and also those who I haven't seen or heard from since graduation. The kids had a great time making new friends and playing with them. It was fun to see Heather recognize her new friends at various activities that we went to and play with them like they'd been friends forever!! We missed those Woosterites who were unable to attend and hope that maybe we'll get to see you sometime in the near future.
We're in Cleveland now at Jeff's mom's house. The weather is great so we're hoping to get out and enjoy the sunsine this week. The kids are doing well with moving from place to place although they seem to prefer sharing my bed (regardless of size) with all of us rather than sleeping in their own "special beds". Hopefully this is not creating disaster for the future...Saturday we'll head back to Athens for Father's day with my dad and then a preiod of time to be determined in Athens.

Ohio

We made it back home from Texas, my mom really got everything under control so we could come back to a nice, clean house when we return. We made it to Ohio somehow and are ready to move around for the summer! We're going to be in Wooster this weekend at my 10 year college reunion and then will be headed to Cleveland for the week with Jeff's family. The kids were great on the drive and handle travelling so well! They're excited to finally be in Ohio and look forward to seeing our friends and family in the area.

Jeff is really busy with work right now. They basically work 10 hour days, 6 days a week and do laundry, etc. on their day off. He says that he's learning a lot and doing well. He apologizes for not sending out e-mails more frequently and claims that he will do better. He sent the kids some cute "native dress" outfits...I'll post a picture when things settle down.

lovin' life at the beach!

We settled into the condo on the beach with the whole fam and Kelly's brave boyfriend who came along for the trip. We beached for several hours each of the last two days and the kids love the sand, waves, and especially the seashells. Today we spent a lot of time looking for pocketbook shells before they could dig themselves back in the sand. Charlie loves the sand and we spent a lot of time yesterday digging sandcastles. We are enjoying time with extended family at our reunion in Galveston and will have a nice dinner tonight. Hope the kids make it through! A few more days before we head back home and then off again. I'm looking out the window at the beach and thinking this is the life!! (if only Jeff were here!)