The Zoo Plus Two!

It's been a while since me and Lael had a day out to ourselves.

I've taken her to the National Zoo many times before but this was the first time we had been alone.

The night before she was filled with so much excitement she could barely sleep.

When she did get up she waisted no time in getting dressed and geared up.

Hubby dropped us off at the Metro because it’s the best way to get there and for Lael riding the train just added icing to the cake.

We started off with a picture at the entrance.


She was so hyped I thought her cheeks would explode!


The last 2 times we had been we didn’t get to see the famous Pandas.

Lael searched for them.


And then we found one!


She didn’t forget to bring her own camera. You know in case I forgot mine. (Ya like how I’m taking a picture of her taking a picture. Hee hee.)


We went to see birds and were lucky enough to catch a Peacock opening up! Beautiful!


She decided to pose with this bear even though it was on FIRE!


It turned out to be a hotter day expected so Lael took advantage of the sprayers.


We ended the day with a yummy snow cone. Look how goofy she looks.




Thanks Lael for spending the day with Mommy. It was refreshing to spend uninterupped time with you and I love you that much more.

I Don't Mind Flirting With Another Woman

Dear Dunkin’ Donuts Girl,

It started with a smile. I am typically not a morning person but I make an exception for those that handle my food.

I smiled the first time because I was really staring at your pierced eyebrow and got caught.

It was rude and I tried to play it off. You smiled back. I ordered my “usual”: a small hot chocolate with whipped cream.

I paid and thought it was over. To my surprise it was only the beginning.

You made a point to call me out of line to specifically take my order. I thought it was nice and you always gave me my change back with a wink. ;o)

I ignored it and walked away sipping my hot chocolaty goodness. Then one particular bad morning. It happened.

I ordered my drink and you weren’t there. I order my “usual” but got back a significantly smaller cup. Hmm. That was odd.

I questioned them on the sizes and the manager made me aware that what I was holding was a SMALL and the next size up was a MEDIUM.

You had been charging me for a small but hooking me up with the next size. Suddenly the winks made sense. Or did they?

A few weeks later you were back at the register and me and a co-worker got in line. I ordered my “usual” and you gave me your “usual”. But this time was different. You whispered something to me and waved away my money.

I ain’t no fool so I tried to pay you again. You refused and I hurried away. But I felt like I had stole.

During my next few visits I made sure to go to another cashier as to avoid you but you managed to slide over and take my order anyway. *Sigh*

Today I upped my ante a bit and ordered my “usual” and added a wheat bagel. You smiled winked, got the MEDIUM cup and filled it. There was another worker standing over your shoulder. You STILL only charged me for the bagel. You smiled at me.

I think you are trying to get fired. Seriously. But until you do, I will continue to smile back and order the “usual”. Who knew flirting with women across the counter could make me all warm inside.

4th Of July Weekend Photos

No need for words.

One Less Child

Well she’s gone again. Being a blended family has always been hard. It’s been hard on my husband. It’s been hard on me. But most of all it’s been hard on Lael.

These past 30 days is the longest we’ve ever had D consecutively. Yeah we had her the whole summer last year but she still went back to her mother every other weekend. Not this time. We had her for 30 days. No break. Lael and her were each other’s shadows. If one wore pink so did the other. If one had a snack so did the other. If one took a bath, the other was right there too. It was such a joy to watch but a little part of me was in pain for what would happen when it was time for D to go home.

Yesterday was that day. The night before Lael told one of my friends that she would cry because she always cries when D leaves. My friend told her to not cry and show her sister what a big girl she was.

It was hard for her. She hugged her sister goodbye and I scooped her up and kissed her. As I buckled her back into her car seat she bit her bottom lip. She took deep breaths. She hugged her stuffed bunny. And then she was ok. She took out her video game and started to play Sponge Bob. I climbed in the back seat with her and held her hand and played her game with her the whole way home.

We won’t get D again until August. July is going to be a long month. With one less child.

More Flags, More Fun, Six Flags

I am so tired. Why am I tired you may ask. This is why. It's a good kind of tired though. The kind you know you don't get to often. The "I played my heart out and the kids will remember this" kind of tired.

I have been promising to take the girls to Six Flags for a few summers. I just never seemed to make it there. Yesterday we did. We spent 6 hours screaming, laughing, eating, slashing around and just enjoying each other's company.


There were tattoos......

Falling out of the sky......

Balloon popping......

Squeals and screams......

Holding hands......

But most of all there was pure joy.

Words can't express how it filled my heart just to have a day of fun with my girls.

Funny thing, I forgot my cell phone at home and I can't help but think it was God's why of giving me a day off.

Wordless Wednesday (Nation's Capital)