1st grade

Addison is doing great in school! She's bringing homework home on Monday's and it's done before Michael picks her up from aftercare. She looks forward to the time she gets to spend on the computer practicing her math. Every night she has to read her book-in-a-bag. Sometimes she reads them to Morgan and my heart melts. I mean, my baby is reading!

She's already had a reading assessment and has moved up two levels. She was so excited and I was so proud that we took her for ice cream. 

The second Friday after school started I went to eat lunch with Addison. Unfortunately I failed to get the memo (there wasn't one) that you're not allowed to visit during the first two weeks. They wouldn't let me in. The next Friday was a go. Addison was a table washer that day. She took her job very seriously. 

 I walked her back to her class and found this treat by the classroom door.

She checks her calendar each day so she can coordinate her outfit around art, music and P.E. days. This day she wanted to wear the new dress from Grandma. She just looked so cute to me. 

I hope her love for school and learning lasts forever. 

m turned three!

It's so cliche, but time really does go by so fast. M turned 3 last month. She was so excited about her princess themed party and new swing set that I barely saw her. This is the only good picture that I got of her. Blowing out her candles with her cousins looking on.

My girls were excited about cake. As was I.

Morgan was way too big for this car, but still managed to ride around the house in it.

Aleyece was there for the day as well. She did a lot of swinging, which was easy since she had a lot of people to push her.

 Then she got sleepy so her and my dad took a swing in the hammock.

 It didn't take long and they were both out.

We were at my brother's house all day. It was really nice to catch up with my family that I haven't seen since April. By the end of the day, the girls ended up in the lake with just their panties on. It's totally acceptable though when you live in the country.

goodbyes

To celebrate our last night there, Rusty and Krista took us to dinner at one of their favorite Mexican places. To get there we took the metro from Union Station to the car, which was parked near the Pentagon. It was rush hour and the train was packed, but it was so nice to see people give up their seats for the kids. Even if they did look like this.

When we got to the restaurant, Rusty was created with a hug. The staff was so funny and so sweet to us and the girls. 

We had a rowdy group. Here are these clowns.

And Krista ordered the BIG drinks. I had no idea they were that big. I was feeling good about half way through. 

This guy makes me happy. 

The girls really warmed up to both Rusty and Krista during this trip. I really want them to have a relationship with all of their family and I think this trip is just what they needed to get closer.

The last night in the bear cave. It was so cold in the basement and I loved everything second of it. Tired days and cold air made this girl sleep really good.

The next morning we headed home. We all had a blast and were sad to leave, but school was starting soon and it was back to reality.

The girls sat in the two seats all by themselves on the flight home. They ate their snacks and watched movies. They even listened to me and chewed gum on the descent. Everyone was happier with this landing.

The National Mall from the plane.

the last of the sightseeing

After our girls morning we met back up with Michael and Rusty to do the tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. I thought I the end they would give us some samples of money. I was wrong. You can't take pictures on the tour, but we had fun in the lobby afterwards.

Then we hopped in a cab to Union Station for the Duckboat ride. A cab ride is the perfect time for pictures.

It was really nice having an extra set of hands around. We actually got some good family pictures on this trip. 

A replica of the Liberty Bell.

We loaded the boat for the tour. It was baking on that boat. The kids liked it okay. I think they were just hot and over it all. We saw some good stuff though. This is the closest we got to the White House on the whole trip.

I love Rusty and Krista so much. I wish we lived closer. I could see all of us hanging out all the time.

Morgan tapped out toward the end. She would much rather play on my phone.

We rode right past the Capitol Building.

Family selfie.

A fun way to end the trip. We felt like we accomplished a lot in just four days. And the girls handled everything really well. I love my little travelers.