Day 455 | Rough Day

As expected, our first full day of "normal" life with just the boys and me was less than ideal today. Why is the transition back from vacation always so hard? Hmmm...maybe it's the constant attention that is no longer offered. Or maybe it's the fact that they haven't needed to do anything they didn't want to do...not the case any longer. Or maybe it's just that they're missing all our amazing family and friends...that's why I'm pretty mopey.

We did have some happy moments, though. We all sported our new Wisconsin tees (thanks, Grandma Mary!) and got some quality snuggle time in.

Thank goodness Chris only had to work one day this week or I think we would all be dreading tomorrow.

Day 454 | Back to Reality

And this about sums up how all of us are feeling.

Day 453 | Travel Day

Goodbye, Wisconsin. Hello, Washington, DC.

Aside from a couple of illnesses that tried to derail our vacation enjoyment, we could not have had a better trip. Thanks to all our friends and family for spoiling us with your time, your hospitality, and your love. 

Oh, Wisconsin, dear friend, we'll be back for good some day. 

*Side note: the boys did great on the flight! Best two-baby flight to date. 

Day 452 | Family and Friends

It's too late to elaborate but I'll say this after today's antics:

I couldn't be luckier to have family that I call friends and friends that are as close as family. 

Day 451 | Mother Daughter Outing

Chris (and the nieces) handled the boys this afternoon so my mom and I could enjoy some serious bonding time. Lunch at a super cute garden center? Check! Best pedicure I've ever had? Yep! And a little shopping to round out the day? Yes, sir.

Lucky to call her mom, that's for sure. 

Day 450 | Family Fun

It was a day chock full of family fun and it was glorious. We helped harvest green beans from grandpa's garden. We tried out a family friend's paddle boat. We treated the girls to yummy ice cream. We put on a family skit. We ate another delicious grilled meal.

Ah, a glorious day. 

Day 449 | Outdoor Entertainment

It was hot and toasty today but that didn't stop us from getting out and enjoying some fun in the sun.

First stop: a new local playground with a new neighbor 

Second stop: a car show with a yummy lunch

Third stop: a visit to the cows and baby calves 

Busy day!

Day 448 | Cousins

Robbe is finally feeling like himself enough to be held/entertained by someone other than me. Hooray!

Could these cousins be any cuter?

Day 447 | Children's Museum Take Two

Another day, another children's museum. Could we be any luckier? Today's adventure took us to the Children's Museum of Eau Claire and it was impressive to say the least. They know how to manage a museum there.

Day 446 | Wisconsin Vacation Round Two

We said goodbye to one set of family today and said hello to the other set. It's hard to split the vacation up but we're beyond grateful we can do both families in one swing.

Day 445 | Children's Museum

It was a quick trip but we made the most of our time at the Central Wisconsin Children's Museum. I'd love to elaborate but it's too late for that. Sorry!

Day 444 | Small Town Life

This is me on a walk this evening. Four lanes, no traffic. Oh, and one amazing summer evening breeze.

Wisconsin is doing its best to lure us back. 

Day 443 | Fishing Pro

Chris has been building up Chase's first fishing trip for weeks (maybe months). Today was finally the day. 

Turns out, he's kind of an expert. First cast? Catches a fish! Then he decided to walk away on the high note and opted for other water activities. 

Day 442 | What a Difference

What a difference a day makes. Our sweet Robbe has been fighting something since we arrived in Wisconsin. Poor little guy just hasn't been himself. 

I'm hopeful that he turned a corner tonight, though. He played! He didn't cling to me the whole time! He smiled! He was the social butterfly we all know and love!

Fingers crossed it wasn't just a fluke. 

Day 441 | Steaks and Cake

Another sick baby today didn't completely keep us down. We headed to the planetarium in town for a little astronomy lesson this morning and enjoyed a lovely evening of yummy steaks and lemon cake to celebrate Chris's mom's birthday. Here's hoping for a happier and healthier baby tomorrow...

Day 440 | Family Time

Aside from a sickly baby, it's been a glorious Wisconsin day. Waking up to some crisp outdoor time cannot be beat.

Day 439 | We Made It

The journey was long (6.5 hours) and varied (taxi to train to plane to car) but we made it. And Chase has never had a bigger smile on his face to finally be on his vacation.

Day 438 | All Packed

This is all we really need, right?

Day 437 | The Beach

Have you ever been to a beach made up of 700,000 balls? We have!

Our friend, the Building Museum, has a special exhibit right now called, The Beach, and although it's pricey, chaotic, and impossible to successfully contain two toddlers solo, it was amazing. The boys and I had a blast during our last (sniffle, sniffle) play date with our good friends Miss Caia and John before they move later this week.

We're devastated (that doesn't cover it, actually) but so happy for them and their new adventure. I see fun trips to Florida in the future. 

Day 436 | Chevy Chase

We needed to do a bit of shopping today ahead of our upcoming (woohoo!) trip. Off to Chevy Chase (our first DC neighborhood and Chase's name inspiration, as a matter of fact) we went for a brief stint at a fun, but seldom visited, playground, a decent bit of shopping, and a yummy lunch.

Day 435 | Quality Family Time

Photo credit to Uncle Jason

With no big plans for the day, it's been just lovely to spend the quality low-key time with some of our favorite people.

Today's activities included:

• Tree park/splash park playtime
• Pillow fort building 
• A Mexican fiesta (including daiquiris, homemade guacamole, and enchiladas)
• 7 Eleven park playtime 
• A rousing (sometimes pretty heated) game of Wizard

So sad to see them leaving already...at least we'll be reunited in Wisconsin in just a few days.

*Note: Sorry the post was MIA yesterday. Just got too caught up in the card game to finish the post!

Day 434 | Yards Park (Again)

We spent another glorious morning at Yards Park today. Can you tell how much fun we had by the photos? And we've been giving our eight-person minivan a good workout.

Day 433 | Jason's Day of Fun

Today turned into an inadvertent Jason's Day of Fun. We started off with delicious breakfast sandwiches, then a stop off at a coffee shop in Jason and the fam's old neighborhood before heading to the National Museum of the American Indian.

The kids loved the time at the museum and the adults even got in on the action by successfully assembling the building block igloo (quite an accomplishment, I have to say). Then we retreated home for a lovely naptime and sushi with one of Jason and Erica's longtime friends.

You're welcome, Jason.

Day 432 | Blondies Bonding

Look who got to meet today! Robbe and Robin. We're so happy to have more family here and to have finally met this sweet girl. Needless to say, the house is brimming with cuteness.

Day 431 | Biding our Time

More family arrives tonight! Woohoo!

In the meantime, we have to make it through another solo day. We opted for a new playground and some horse-viewing. Could this photo (with some local friends) be any cuter? Answer: no. 

Day 430 | Uncle Jason

Our next visitor arrived! The boys could not be more excited (and that includes Chris) to see Uncle Jason again. It's been way too long. Even though Robbe had never met him, he's his new favorite.

Day 429 | American History

So sad to say goodbye to Grandma Mary this afternoon but that didn't stop us from having some museum fun before she left.

Thanks, American History Museum for another educational and enjoyable visit. 

Day 428 | Happy 4th!

It's been a lovely celebration day: delicious breakfast, a neighborhood parade, friends over for a grill out, and lots of family time. Just perfect.

*And in case you're on pins and needles wondering how last night went with the boys, it was ok. Not great, but pretty good. Robbe had a tough time winding down (for obvious reasons) and he woke Chase up earlier than he would have otherwise woken up, but no one fell out of bed and no night wakings to cause problems. Hopefully it wasn't a fluke.

Day 427 | Bedroom Buddies

 

Since moving into our house just over a year ago, we've been talking about when to move the boys into the same room. We always planned on having them share, so it was a question of when, not if.

A looming visit from Chris's brother and his family gave us the final shove that we needed. They have a little one that could use her own space more than Chase so why not give the room-sharing idea a go?

Chase was beyond excited about his new "bedroom buddy" (aka Robbe) and his new "bedroom neighbors" (aka mom and dad: previously he's been sleeping on the main level of our house while we sleep upstairs). Oh, and I almost failed to mention that included in this bedroom transition was also the switch from crib to big boy bed for our sweet three year old. How could I have almost forgotten such a momentous occasion?

I'll let you know how all this turns out tomorrow. I hope everyone gets a decent night's sleep, it is a big celebration day tomorrow, after all!

Day 426 | Sit on the Art

We had too much fun today to go into great detail here. Let's just say that the clouds and rain didn't slow us down.

Day 425 | Yards Park

The Yards Park wading pool is one of my favorite spots in the city. It's perfect for my boys: the foot-deep water, the impressive waterfall, and the fountains. It was a perfect outing to escape today's heat. 

Oh, and it's July! The month of visitors + vacations has begun. Grandma Mary is here to spend some quality time with us in the DC humidity. We're so lucky.