Train trip to DC

Saturday morning Ell and I headed to Washington, DC for a day full of adventures. Our first adventure... Riding the train. It was Ell's first ever train ride and it was a success!!
We arrived at Union Station around 10am.
We browsed Union Station for a few minutes before we headed on our way.
Ell in the lobby of Union Station... What a big, big place!
We stopped by the Smithsonian Museum of American History. We only made it through parts of the West Wing... There was so much to see but we let Ell lead the way. I had a feeling that if I pushed for something it would lead to a miserable day!
Michelle Obama's Inauguration ball gown... So much more stunning in person than in any photograph!
Ell loved seeing all of the First Ladies gowns and I have to say, they were all beautiful!
More of the First Ladies gowns.
Ell looking at Dorthy's real ruby slippers... I have to say, they didn't look very comfortable. Oh well, sometimes you just have to go for fashion over function!
Rachel came up to join us for the day.
Ell at the Washington Monument.
By the White House in the morning.
Ell and I in front of the White House.
Then we went to the Nation Book Festival on the Nation Mall.
We got to see Jane O'Connor, the author of the Fancy Nancy books, read one of her books... So much fun!!

They had a PBS Kids tent and all sorts of activities. What a fantastic treat!
We saw Sid the Science Kid.
And we got to meet Arthur!
We saw Princess Presto from Super Why!
We also met Curious George,
Woofster from Super Why!,
Angelina Ballerina,
The Cat in the Hat,
and Word Girl! So cool!!
We took lots of breaks along the way...
... and managed to walk the entire way!
We visited the small gardens along the way.
There really were some hidden treasures along the way.
Ell even shared some of her cashews with some of the residents! She named this one Squirty (I don't know why) and he came about 3ft from her to get her nuts!
Train ride home. We left the house before 9am and got home a little after 9pm... It was a long day but it sure was a fun day!!

Bowling and Aquarium

Aquarium visit with the Osters. Here is Maddie, chocolate covered and enjoying the dolphin show. The only thing she wanted more was to be home with Daddy watching football!
Ell and Margie at the Aquarium.
Robert!
Ell and Joelle duckpin bowling.
Ell's first shot at bowling on a cool and rainy6 Saturday afternoon.
Ell and I duckpin bowling... What fun!!
Joelle and Ell... Thumbs up for bowling!
Ice cream after bowling. Oh! And Ell lost her 3rd tooth while eating ice cream, go figure!

First day at the bus stop

Well, it was a rainy day but we made it to the bus stop on time, actually we were the first ones there!
There she is in the first window. It was a success! We both made it but I think she did better than I did, she is my big, brave girl. I cried on the walk home and on the drive to work. I always knew that this day would be hard, just not this hard!
My baby is growing up and I'm just not ready but then again I guess I don't get much of a choice, do I?

Labor Day Weekend

We headed to Chesapeake Beach with a bunch of friends on Sunday. We went to the water park, dinner, and exploring on the docks. Here are all of the kids... Ell, Ellie, Nate, Cam, and Sam.
The kids really liked watching the fishermen clean the fish.
Saturday we headed up to Annie's playground.
Ell decided she was just going to hang out!
Sunday on the docks in Chesapeake Beach.
Ell and I at Ledew Topiary Gardens on Saturday.


Friday night we went to the HPU/ Loyola U women's soccer game with some friends. Way to go Lady Panthers on a 3-2 victory!!
Ell at the gardens on Saturday.