Weekend on a Wednesday

Since I skipped pics from the weekend earlier this week, a little recap is due today. But first, the story of Bennett's first day of school yesterday:

{Pull into parking space}

Bennett: Why you park-in?

Me: So we can bring you into school.

Bennett: Don't need to, just drop me off.

Me: No, I actually have to, there is no drop off today. And I want to give you a hug.

Bennett: I don't need a hug. I'm three. 

And off he marched 4 steps ahead of me and into his classroom without turning his head back around once. 

His first day in his own words:

We went on the playgroud. 

I played cars.

I didn't learn anyone names.

There's sand in my shoes.

I asked my teacher for marshmallows for snack, but she says we having apples. 

Never change Bubs. We love you and are so happy about your confidence!

*****

So last weekend. As I've mentioned a billion times, the weekends are weird, especially since the unit Kev is with isn't located here, there is really no one else in our position to hang out with while everyone else is enjoying their own weekends with their families.

 On Saturday morning, the boys were driving me a little nutty, but it was also too hot and humid to go outside and do anything enjoyable. We needed to get out of the house and as we started driving up the Parkway, I spotted the Capital Wheel across the water in National Harbor and decided that is where we were headed. 

It was a little pricey at $38 for the 3 of us (no charge for Wells) but it was neat to do once. And by the time we parked, got tickets, waited to get on, went around 5 times, walked around a bit more and headed home, the two hours I needed to take up before lunch and nap were gone. 

The boys thought it was pretty neat. And if you are claustrophobic, it is nice because there is A/C and music playing in each little cab, so it distracts you from the fact that you are in a tiny box at the top of a huge wheel above the water. 

Wells was a little confused/mad that I wouldn't let him crawl around and bang on the doors. 

All in all a pretty neat experience that I am glad we took advantage of. 

The rest of Saturday was spent playing and watching football.

Then on Sunday, we met my inlaws down at their church and then went back to their house for lunch. I was able to leave the boys there for a few hours while I ran up to my friend Alysa's bridalshower. It was a beautiful party and I can't wait for her and Ant's wedding in just a few weeks!

We stayed at Nana and Pop's through dinner (and Nana sent us home with dinner for last night too- the best) and the boys made sure they had Pop do every activity in the world. 

And I think Pop wore them out a little bit too...

Hope you are having a great week! 

We Ate All the Fried Chicken

Over the weekend, my high school friends (and my parents, and my brothers, and my kids, and my Grandma, and Grandpa Ray, and my Oma) and I had our Annual Retreat out at my parents' Farm. We did a whole lot of lounging by the pool, drinking cocktails, riding dirtbikes, sitting by the bonfire and eating every last crumb of the buckets of fried chicken my mom graciously prepared on Saturday evening.

Everyone loves a good comparison photo, so here, look how we've grown since 2011- mostly note that we graduated from solo cups to real wine glasses. 

It was such a relaxing and fun filled day, one that can only come with the ease of being around old friends.

 Loaf lives in NYC was but totally in her element at The Farm. I don't think she ever stopped running and possibly her finest moment was when she tried to catch a chicken. 

 The boys (my three brothers, Ant and John) spent most of their day at "Man Camp" which included hours of a game that involved drinking beer and throwing a hammer. I never did get the rest of the rules. 

 Grandma, Oma and Fritz had a little fun on the golf cart. 

 Tommy and Bennett manned the kids' table. 

 Marme is at her happiest when people are eating and drinking around her kitchen table. Lucky for her, we all excel at that. 

 Wells judged us all a little bit.

 The boys' bonfire/the adults' bonfire

 Ant and John got tired of our requests for pics and started taking their own selfies.

Thanks guys and girls for being awesome (and Mom and Dad for putting up with us all). 

Can't wait for Retreat 2015. 

A Weekend At Home

For the first weekend in what seems like forever, the boys and I hung out at home. Of course, we still did about 329480928342 things because that is how we roll, but it was really nice to just be around the house. 

Friday we met some friends at the Splash Park in the afternoon and then ordered pizza (first one since Kev deployed- Self five!) and rented The Lego Movie. Sadly, we turned that one off within the first 30 minutes- it was just a little too intense for my sensitive boys. 

So we settled for some Curious George and called it an early night. 

Saturday morning we did a little more work on the boys' new room

 and then Nana and Pop came over for the afternoon.

He's going to be 1 next month...

 Deb and I were off to my almost sister in law's bridal shower while Scott held down the fort with all 3 boys (brave man). 

Caitlin and friends

After a lovely and fun shower, we headed back home and Nana and Pop treated us to Chinese and took over bathtime and dish-doing for me which was an amazing break. 

Sunday, the boys and I were up early so made it to 9am Mass and the pancake breakfast afterwards. Because of travel, we hadn't been to Mass in a few weeks and it was so refreshing to be there. 

Afterwards, we came home and I mowed the lawn while the big boys played in the mud and Wells napped then later that afternoon, Cate and Alysa came over to hang out and for dinner.

 (I also re-made my risotto so I can do a post for all who asked the the recipe last week!)

A few games of front yard baseball (thanks to some new toys from Uncle Pete and Aunt Lori!), it was bath and bed for some worn out boys. 

It was busy, but such a nice weekend. 

A Night Away

A few weeks ago my friend Cate came over for dinner and we got to talking about taking a little trip to NYC to see our friend Laura. While I love my children and husband very much, the fact is, I hadn't been someplace, not pregnant, with just girls for a night since 2009. It was definitely overdue. 

So we cleared a day in all our schedules (but sadly Alysa, who would normally be along for this ride coudn't make it), bought train tickets and on Saturday morning we were off for 24 hours of fun. 

We spent the majority of that time eating (amazing) food and drinking (a lot of wine) and reminiscing on stories of our 15 year long friendship. It is actually interesting because we were all part of the same large group of friends in high school and while we were close, it was definitely not like now, and then in college we all went our separate ways and saw each other over breaks, but it was when Kev was deployed the second time to Iraq (right after we got married in 2007) that Laura, Cate and Alysa really became some of the best friends I have ever had. 

From then on, we've been there for each other through it all: babies, breakups, jobs, moves, big loves, big losses, new houses and a few good trips. 

Here we are in 2008 during Kev's deployment and then this past Saturday night at dinner

The weekend was just what I needed: adult conversation, a change of scenery, so much laughter, an excuse to get dressed up and most of all, perfect company from these amazingly true friends. 

We missed you Lys!

You ladies really are the best- thank you so much for always being there for me, loving my family, keeping my wine glass full and making me laugh. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

And a huge thanks to my mom and dad for braving another weekend with my little crew. 

We are incredibly lucky to have you!

Bringing home Black and Whites seemed like the right thing to do

*****

PS: Julianna and Bridig can you please comment with your email address? 

I can't find a way to contact you about sending a packback. Thank you!

I'm Actually Sore From Dancing

On Saturday night, we attended the wedding of our friends James and Cristin and it was hands down the most fun I've had in a long time. 

The combination of a beautiful ceremony, followed by good food, fun music, an open bar, time with friends I've known for 15 years and the fact that we got to stay the night out kidless turned out to be the recipe for a more than perfect evening.

I look a handful of pictures during the cocktail hour, then was too busy chatting (thanks to everyone who said they read the blog- I love hearing that!), drinking and dancing to pull my phone back out.

Our fancy NY friends

 My handsome date

 Happy birthday Justice!

 The cutest couple Ireton has ever produced

 Table 11- it was like the lunch room all over again, except with wine and fancier clothes... and no one on the microphone telling us to tuck in our shirts and push our trash down.

 Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Schiefer!

On Sunday morning, while Kev left the hotel early to person volunteer with the wear blue: run to remember group at the Marine Corps Marathon (he's a better person than all of us, I know), I lay in bed, ordered room service and watched bad TV until housekeeping told me it was time to check out. I missed by boys, but not going to lie, it was kind of amazing. Big thanks to my parents for keeping them until the late afternoon and to Bummy and Leen for picking up Wells right before the wedding so I didn't have to be away from him too long. It takes a village and I am so grateful for ours!