Pops' big 7-0

We were pumped to follow up our DC trip w a trip to B-vile for Pops' 70th. We broke out the DVD players and it worked great for P&Q. 

We arrived and we're happy to learn that Griff had a flag football game we could watch. It was awesome! The kids loved seeing Griff's game. 

Particularly this guy. He made Jim play football w him when he wasn't running around w his cousins. 

We also learned Jack can throw a perfect spiral. Dude. Totes jealous. After the game I told them to pose for a pic. Griffin said "I don't like my smile." His smile is awesome! Then he stuck his water bottle between his legs and pretended to pee and my kids were officially in love w their cousin. I mean- potty humor unites!

That evening the girls played dress up w Finley. 

And made pizza w Aunt Katie. Jack is so shy and Hill is quite the opposite. Just listening to the things that come out of her mouth cracks me up. And sometimes makes me cringe. 

Dinner time for kiddos w Aunt B and the birthday guy:

Is

Me and the youngest cousins:

They totes started playing which was ADORBS. I found them giggling in the corner. 

Jack has been telling all her friends how great Nick is at drawing. Especially Knights, she says. 

Maybe the best birthday cake I've ever eaten. 

The cake:

Presents. True to form, we forgot to get Pops a present. We are a mess!

Aunt B and Pops: 

Grammy and Pops: 

Late night posing: 

The next morning, Uncle Aaron helped Hill dress as a fire chief. 

She bought it. Cutest fireman I've ever seen! 

My 2 goons (photo credit: aunt B)

Ben heard Finley had a soccer game and lost his mind. So we watched her play and it was a great game. She played awesome. And she totes inspired Hill to at least SAY she wants to play. 

Tues morning (afternoon?) Benny slept at the gym. He slept for over an hour and woke up furious at me. 

Meanwhile hilly and Hannie colored. 

Tuesday afternoon Em came over and was kind enough to play school w my tyrant children. Benny has been all about that soccer ball. at one point I said "kick the ball back to me!" And he responded "first I have to run!" He took a lap around the yard, came back and returned the ball to me. 

Here he is- with a stick. 

Last night. 

DC day 2

For some reason Jack was just not sleeping well on this trip and as a result kind of ruined Day 2. So when I am old and forget small moments of challenging parenthood, this entry can serve as a reminder. So the goal was shortened to an abbreviated zoo trip to see what we can't see in Philly: Pandas and Elephants. Grandma and Hilly had a nice breakfast together and the rest of us joined them. 

Hilly was ready for the sun: 

My kids insisted on wearing the same outfits they wore the day before. Painful but not worth the battle. Below they are viewing the zebras. Totally cool habitat. 

Below are Ben and Gma viewing bison. I love bison. I can't imagine herds of them traveling across North America. I am a bison nerd. 

Last but def not least- the pandas. So AWESOME. One panda just had a baby so her and her baby weren't visible to the public but I def want to return when they show the baby panda to the public.  Apparently there were twin baby bears and one died. So sad. 

I told Ben about the baby bear and he said "I want to play with the baby bear!" Me too! 

We then strapped the kids down and walked like 3 miles down to a parking lot. This zoo is beautiful. Next time I want the kids to ride the carousel and to see the apes. But I can't imagine that anyone has better apes than in Philly! We love us some Louis. 

My friend Kelly texted me Hilly's class pics. Did I post these yesterday? I love them. 

We made it home in time for dance. Jack and P basically ran into each other's arms. United at last. 

DC Day 1

But first- a pic Carol took of me and Gma last Saturday. 

Oh and this week my babysitter never showed up so I dropped my kids at Betsy's for awhile and this is my crew hanging:

Ben and baby Kate: 

The bigger kids: 

That night Hill saw this display at the grocery store and almost lost her mind. She ran in and asked me to take her pic. 

Wed morning: snack time w his homie.

On to DC- below is Benny at breakfast. 

And Jack. My kids legit don't really like breakfast food. Kind of a bummer at a free breakfast! 

My mom and I braved the metro w these kids juggling strollers and kids (we didn't realize there were elevators)- and it was a legit nightmare. We had a few laughs and moved on to the White House. A group of Asians took 100 pics of my kids and my mom thought it was strange but I found it to be endearing. I sort of felt like I wanted to hang w them afterwards. 

We saw a motorcade and the ambulance that follows the pres around. Apparently both the president and the VP were meeting with the head of Pakistan so there were protestors out there too. Cool! 

Wash Monument- 

Viewing the back of the White House. 

A fountain. 

Natural History museum: 

This elephant is majestic. And my kids just ran to it. I can't blame them. 

Hill was super into this- whale "teeth," squid eyeball, whale bone. She kept asked "what's that?" And when I checked, she was indeed retaining the info. 

Getting ready for a Dino IMAX. I wanted the ocean iMax, jack insisted. The second it started she got freaked out! 

The kids ended up enjoying it though. It was very academic. During the one dinosaur fighting scene, though, Benny was cheering and at the end said "he got him!" My mom and I couldn't help but crack up. 

Benny slept before the Hope diamond. 

Jack was all grumpy and tired. I said to her "over there are the bones of a man who died thousands of years ago." She lit up and ran over so fast. When Hilly saw it she looked at me and asked "Is this Jesus?" 

Ben and Gma eating hot dogs outside the museum waiting for dada 

Dada came! Off to air and space museum. 

We passed the Capitol building. 

This museum made me feel very unintelligent. But the space suits and shuttles were awesome. Ben really loved this museum. 

Hilly is totes a little academic. 

No day is complete without a mini meltdown. Jackie kept the tradition alive. 

Subway home with daddy. Much easier w the help of another adult. 

Cheeseballs in elevator.