Old Maryland Farm

For playgroup last week we visited the Old Maryland Farm. It is a cute and FREE place. It is very similar to thanksgiving point, but free and probably not as nice. Still fun. Benson mostly enjoyed the mud. Thanks again to lexie for the pictures.

petting a bunny

cute red jackets

this is a signature pose. 

Sitting. Oh how he loved that puddle.

DC Cherry Blossoms

Well, it finally happened. The blossoms bloomed. Benson and I took a quick trip to see them with a few friends! It was a really beautiful day. The tidal basin was packed which made several strollers difficult, but we did enjoy them! Thanks to my friend Lexie for remembering her camera!

We are really lucky to live in such a fun place! It is amazing how patriotic I feel when we go downtown. An average of 1.5 million visitors come to see the blossoms. I'm glad they bloomed or those people would have been very disappointed. 

He learned how to sniff. 

Gary and Lori(n)

Spring has sprung, but a tad too late. My parents were here the last few days of March and the first few days of April--due to DC's unusual winter spring arrived about 48 hours after they left. Bummer. That didn't stop us from seeing the places the blossoms should have been. The nice thing was it wasn't too hot!  We did quite a bit of walking but we didn't have to worry about a blazing sun making us wet from sweat, instead we had to work with the rain, which got us wet anyway.  It rained for the first three days. Straight. It was a little discouraging, but I think we managed to make everything work.

Riley had to spend a lot of time at school so I was Mom and Dad's personal tour guide. Luckily he snuck away for some fun activities! They were excellent guests and Benson really loved having someone to play with. Dad may have been in dog or monkey mode for the majority of the week.  

Let's begin with pictures- there aren't many.

Dad took Benson swimming - he really loved it. He even dove in when dad wasn't looking. I guess we'll need to do swimming lessons soon!

Benson learned how to climb up on the balcony. He is really careful about it but I always have to watch him. Sneaky boy.

We visited the National Zoo. We were so excited to see the new baby panda- only she was sleeping where no one could see her. That is twice now that I have gone. She needs to wake up!

Dad went to the Air and Space museum one afternoon- It is a goodie!

Here is the mama panda. They eat most of the day.

Lunar landing module. Dad, is that right?

We took a drive up to Delaware to visit Aunt Jenny, her family and new dog! Oh Benson had a wonderful time following Nick around and playing with Charlie. 

"He's nothing but a big sweetheart"

Dad was so nice and drove us across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Thank you, Dad.

On the way home from DE we stopped at the Outlets and Benson got to ride the train-go-round :)

Ha, back to the zoo. Cute baby tiger.

Benson and Nick at the Longwood Gardens. We had the best lunch before going there. Capriotti's. oh. my. the sandwich was soooooo good.

Bens got to go on the merry-go-round at the zoo too! 

Charlie.

The "O-line"  Orangutans cross right about you! Riley never believed that they actually did it, but they definitely do! It was so neat. 

At the Post Office Museum- a new favorite. Across from us, in the stage coach were three statues that were scary looking. Benson didn't appreciate them.

Other highlights:

-We the Pizza

-American History museum war exhibit

-WWII memorial with veterans being honored. (one even stopped to talk to benson, so sweet!)

-Walking around the tidal basin with dead looking cherry trees

-Watching Downton Sixbey

-Watching Lip Syncing battles

-The Amish market

-The almost trip to Fort McHenry

-Having mom and dad around, Thanks for visiting! 

To all other potential visitors- we need you! We know some great places to eat and sight see. We also have two twin beds. and a couch, and an air mattress. Let's just say we can accommodate several visitors at one time. See you soon! 

In the winter time

Many of you have heard that the East coast has been pummeled with snow. Though it was nothing to be too concerned about most everything shut down. School, work, stores. Just so people wouldn't drive on the road. Some cars still attempted- one that made me laugh was a red corvette. It was getting towed away. Total we got about a foot of snow. That was a week ago and now it is all gone. Including our snowman pictured below.
We have had a hard time coming up with things to do when everything is shut down but we found a swimming pool (with freezing cold water) that was fun.
In the Fall I was inspired by Mandy to begin crocheting. She doesn't even know that. Thanks Mandy! It has been a fun activity for me. Benson of course loves the yarn. I have completed several projects already. one I gave to mom and dad for Christmas but the others have been baby size. I am currently doing one for Benson's room. As if he doesn't already have enough blankets.
My pictures are very disorganized. So here is a mod-podge.

Post shots- he wanted an oreo soooo bad. 

One day it was warm enough to pretend it was warm.

The Silver Diner. Oh how he loved that cup and straw.

And a cake pop for valentines.

Not sure why all of these pictures involve food...

He can climb almost everywhere! He has mastered the rocking chair.

This is our snowman! Benson was really confused by what Riley was doing.

This is Bensons favorite squat. 

More climbing.

On the 21st we celebrated Riley's birthday. We had a VERY fun day. It started with breakfast in bed, as usual. Then he went off to school. I dropped Benson off at a friends and picked Riley up to go to Georgetown. He had no idea what I had planned- can you believe I kept it a surprise?

I had downloaded an app called Stray Boots and purchased a scavenger hunt all over Georgetown. It took us a couple of hours to do and it was SOOO much fun. We got to see things and places we would never have known about. Here are just a few- we did a poor job taking pictures. 

"The Exorcist Steps"- though we have never seen it, and don't plan to, we thought it was cool. The clue leading us here said walk to the end of 36th street and you will find the stairs. We got to the end of the street and there was nothing in sight. We walked a little further and whoa we were suddenly at the top of these incredibly steep stairs. This picture doesn't do it justice. Super steep and walls straight up on both sides. CRAZY.

This is in the garden dedicated to Francis Scott Key.

Georgetown Cupcakes. I didn't think they would be as delicious as they were. HOLY Cow. The Salted Caramel was just divine.

This is near the "Old Stone House" which is the oldest standing house in DC. Behind me is a mural of what things used to look like.

Basically Georgetown was awesome. We especially appreciated the stone roads and brick sidewalks.  We finished the date with dinner at Surfside- a Caribbean mexican place with truly delicious food.  Then Justin and Erin came on Saturday to continue the celebration! Breakfast at Eastern Market, a fun afternoon and Apple pie for cake.

And to finish things up- Yesterday Benson came over to me while I was on the phone with my mom, he laid down and fell asleep. I can honestly say this has never happened. It was a true miracle!

a photo shoot

Benson has been one for a while and I hadn't documented this stage very well.  Right now he is soooo fun. Aside from being sick for over a week, we have been having a really good time with him.

Benson says "dada" constantly, but not "mama"

He looooves to mop.

He can find his eyes and belly button when you ask him.

He barks like a dog when he sees or hears one.

He laughs whenever you try to scare him.

He really enjoys reading books and turning the pages.

His smile is very contagious.

And now- the feature presentation. Our cute baby Benson.