I love when hubby is off from work and we go out for a relaxing family day. Okay, with three under three maybe not a relaxing day, but it’s time spent together, so I’m happy.

I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting at this place.

I didn’t necessarily liked the route we were taking so during the drive I decided to google National Arboretum. Here’s what Wikipedia gave me: “An Arboretum in DC operated by the Department of Agriculture.”  Well, that’s very insightful.

At this point it didn’t matter as we were committed to this location because it’s after 1 p.m on a Friday in the nation’s Capital.

First we missed our turn because the GPS didn’t show the service road. As we entered the grounds we wondered if we were lost despite seeing the little tiny sign that read National Arboretum. It looked more of an abandoned place with lots of overgrown trees and windy roads.

Eventually we found the main building. We enjoyed a picnic of leftovers that consisted of baked jerk chicken, brussel sprouts and white rice as our oldest ran around taking to everyone like she normally does.

We missed all the days activities, they were closing at 4 p.m, the gardens weren’t in bloom and the memory card was almost full. You think by now I would learn to do my research and prep before my little adventures but I guess that’s part of the fun 😉

It’s rare that hubby smiles, he actually smiled twice! I think he was enjoying family time.

~TOODLES~
Stacey

If the start of our adventure was any indication of how my day would end, I can tell you now it couldn’t be good.

The kids wouldn’t nap, of course, but as soon as they hit the car seat they were knocked out. I contemplated driving around just to let them sleep, but decided after the effort of prepping to be in the city, we were going to the city.

During the drive I saw a sign for Oxon Hill Farm and decided to be spontaneous. Mentally I wasn’t ready for Washington, DC nor what would come next for that matter.

The kids weren’t even out the car when my two-year old said “I HAVE TO PEE” I didn’t know the conditions of the restrooms and I didn’t know if she would even make it to the restroom. So what did I do? Don’t judge me. I let her pee at the car 🙊🙈🙉 What would you do?

Anyway, leave it to me to show up after all the kids’ activities ended. Hey, it was a spur of the moment thing. We had just under two hours before closing. Plenty of time right?

Ready for school?

Twins perhaps?

Checking out the goats from a distance. My little scary cat.

The animals were settling in for the night. Many of them hid in the comfort of their home waiting for dinner.

This little piggy was not up for company. He wanted us gone so he gave us its rear end while it handled business.

Being on the farm reminded me of my early years. We lived in rural Jamaica, not the beaches and lavish homes you see depicted. We had cows, goats and chickens at one time or another. Can you imagine me taking the goats to the fields before heading off to school? Yeah…I did that several times. I wasn’t always prissy, you know.

The real question now is could I survive a day on a farm? That’s a whole other issue.

Have a great weekend.

~TOODLES~
Stacey

Two months ago I wrote a post where the only color that existed in my daughter’s world was BLUE.

It was such a frustrating task. Everyone shied away from the challenge. It just didn’t make sense why she couldn’t grasp colors. They would say she’ll get it.

My mother-in-law would tease that it’s because I don’t embrace what I term school yard colors around my house. I REALLY dislike those bright colored toys. If it was up to me all their toys would be wood or white but hubby won’t go for that.

I am proud to say my big girl has mastered the color wheel…more or less. She gets confused sometimes but her world now includes red, yellow, green, pink, purple and white.

Our walks to the park is so colorful now that she’s mastered her colors. 👏👏

She picks flowers…sometimes she pulls the entire plant🙈

Her imagination is also expanding.  She told her brother it’s chocolate and he wanted to check it out himself 😀

As if we didn’t get enough after a close call with the geese she wanted to feed the ducks.

I wish we had food for them I told her. I don’t know why I said that because she forgets nothing! Now that’s one more thing she’ll be asking me if I have in my bag before our park runs.

The walk home from the park was just as interesting. It was funny watching the kids squabble over cheese puffs.  When the twins dropped one, big sister would quickly grab it and eat it, but only after checking for any drool of course 😉

Happy kid, happy mama 😉

We live in a colorful world now and I LOVE it!

Go Big Girl 👏👏

PS– Nelle slept the entire time, that’s why she wasn’t in any pics. A girl needs her beauty rest I suppose 😘

~TOODLES~
Stacey