Our Weekend In Virginia

Patrick surprised us by canceling his trip to Barcelona (what, is he crazy??) so he could spend a wonderful weekend with his family instead. I was so surprised I think I may have squealed!!We headed down to visit Grandma and Grandpa L. in Virginia and spent a wonderful day in DC. It was a perfect day with perfect weather and a perfect opportunity to learn some US history. First item was to to march right into the Capital and demand an explanation (on anything!) but realized it would have taken way too much time with too little result.
I was shocked at how much junk food they sell on the Mall. I mean, hasn't congress talked a lot about obesity and its effect on health care? Or is that just a rumor. We had fries, hot dogs and sugary soda. I wanted to throw up, and maybe should have but I'm pretty sure I would have been arrested.
Doing our part to help the child obesity rates stay afloat.
They at least had the patriotic junk food too. Whew! What a relief. I'm proud to be an American. (no really, I am!)
Ronin wanted to walk down to that "big tall building". I tried to explain what the Washington Monument was, but I realized I didn't know much about it either except that it WAS a big tall building with lots of flags (boy am I a disgrace!) I think Ronin just wanted a free ride in the stroller while mom worked off some hot dog calories.

Of course there was a merry-go-round we had to ride. Ronin doesn't like the horses that move. They seem to scare him. He always picks one of these bucket seats to ride in.Blowing kisses to dad as we went around and around and around and around.

and around and around and around. It was by far the LONGEST merry-go-round ride I have ever been on, and I have been on a few. I mean, I used to live by Lagoon you know...

We were all pretty dizzy by the time it actually stopped, except Ronin who still had a really big grin.
The weekend was the last of the Jim Henson Exhibit. I would love to show you all the wonderful puppets they had on display but we were forbidden to take pictures. Rest assured that I did see Kermit, Piggy, Animal, and our family favorite Beaker. (that's for you kim!) Plus we found out that mister Jim was a genius. Oh yeah, I knew that already. It was fun to connect him to his other work like Fraggle Rock and The Dark Crystal. As a kid I never put any of that together. I guess I should have since he seemed to be the only one doing mainstream puppet work at the time. They do have an official Jim Henson Website if you want to learn more. Thanks to my friend Kage who told us about it, but couldn't come. We missed you!
Also while in Virginia I got to spend a day at the Sewing Expo with my mother-in-law. Somehow I was talked into modeling some of the wares at the Fashion Show. This was my favorite. It's a rain coat made of plastic bags. 
For being a model I received a free pattern. I wanted to get this particular one so I could make a family of raincoats (wouldn't the boys be cute?!), but by the time I got around to the booth, all the patterns had been taken. Guess people liked it as much as I did. I really think that The Cheesecake Factory logo is perfectly placed. Although my cheesecake usually goes to my muffin top... *light bulb*  Ok, now I have to find some muffin logos for the torso of my jacket!! That would be perfect!! And of course track down the pattern. Hmmm, so much work to do. It makes me want a donut.

We had a great weekend. Of course we snuck in some nap time, food time and Conference watching time. It was so relaxing even when it was riddled with the endless "house selling/buying/economy/drama". 

Thanks to G&G for hosting us again. As always it was hard to tear ourselves away.