Museums, zoos, and pirates

Last week we went up to Maryland to visit Jimmy's family.  We decided to drive this time and  instead of doing it through the night we thought we would take our time, make multiple stops, and make a day of it.  I was so proud of EV because not only did she do great on the drive up and down (I'm sure being able to watch DVDs for the first time helped a lot with passing the time) but she was so well-behaved on this trip.  I think I've said this before but I feel like anytime we go on a trip EV grows and matures leaps and bounds. 

The week before this trip, EV had learned about outerspace and planets so one of the first places she wanted to go was the Air and Space Museum.  She pointed out that the last time we went there we made her take a nap and that she wasn't able to see much.  Unfortunately, our camera was out of batteries but take my word she loved it.  Afterwards she was ready to see another museum.  Museum, museum, museum was the word of the week.

We also made it to the National Zoo.  Although it was her third time to that zoo, there were many new things and things we didn't see before.  We started early and thank goodness cause it got way too hot to do anything in the afternoon.  My favorite comment that day was when I said, "Ohhh EV, look at those crocodiles!!" and EV responded, "Yeah mommy!!  And look at all that sand!!!"  Hahahaha. 

One day we went to Annapolis and did a pirate adventure on a ship.  EV's reaction was not what I was hoping for--she was scared.  I thought she would enjoy dressing up, getting fake tattoos, pretending to be a pirate, and running around on a ship with a bunch of other kids.  But no, she was a little freaked out and didn't want to participate (until they found the treasure chest and gave out treasures).  It didn't help that it was scorching hot.  I think towards the end she enjoyed it a little at least the shooting the "bad guy" with water, finding the treasure chest, and being on a boat parts.  At least we got to be out on the water and had some seafood for lunch.

We can't forget the Maryland blue crabs.  EV LOVED the crabs.  She inhaled it faster than we can dig it out and put it on her plate.  And last but not least spending time with family.  EV is so endearing and loves being with family.  It doesn't matter if she only sees them once or twice a year.  When she doesn't see them, she talks constantly about them and remembers the smallest details.  She especially loves her uncle Tom.  It's always good to see family--we miss you all and love you all very much.  Hope to see you again very soon!

Memorial Day Weekend

Last year we planned to go to Puerto Rico with my parents and sister/brother-in-law, but once we started our renovations, we knew that we would have to tone down our trip.  So, we decided to keep it low key and go to our timeshare.  EV is always saying, I like doing things as a family, so that is exactly what we did.  We filled our weekend with mountain adventures from Friday morning to Monday afternoon. We tried to balance activities, rest, and cost.  So, we went out in the mornings, packed a lunch, came back for a nap, and did "free" activities at the resort.  So, here's a brief overview of our itinerary

Friday: Outlet shopping, swimming pool, mini golf
Saturday: Dillard House for breakfast, Tallulah Gorge for hiking, nap, swimming pool, mini golf
Sunday:  Horseback riding/petting farm/fishing at Sunburst Stables, nap, swimming pool, park
Monday:  Strawberry picking at Mercier Orchards, dinner with rest of the family

EV loves being out and about, trying new things, annd making new dicoveries.  So, to put it simply, EV had a blast.  Coming back Monday and waking up early Tues was hard for all of us.  Getting back into a routine was even harder.  These pictures pretty much sum up our trip.

"Don't Leave Mommy!!"

Most days EV acts like a teenager--she doesn't want to be bothered, she tells me to go away, and she doesn't look my way when I leave for work.  Occasionally she'll yell out, "Have a good day at work and don't get stuck in traffic, mom!"  But there are very very very few days when she clings onto me and pleads that I don't go to work and I spend the day with her.  This morning was one of those days.

EV woke up the other morning and said, "I want to be a baby this morning."  I said, "You will always be my baby."  She followed me to the bathroom and watched me get ready for work.  As I wrapped up and said, "Lets go downstairs."  She asked to be picked up.  I carried her downstairs and that's when the meltdown started.  She held onto my neck and started pleading, crying that I don't leave her, I spend the day with her, at least eat breakfast with her.  It's in moments like this I wonder is she just trying to be brave when she acts like she doesn't care?  It's in moments like this when I remember that she's just 3 years old.  Often times I think I treat her much older because she acts much older but I'm glad she stops to remind me that she really still is a baby.

I know that the last two weeks have been tough for her.  She went from spending 4 full days with us to practically no time with me.  I have had church events two evenings in a row since we've gotten back from vacation and I was out of town for a whole week this week for work.  My heart breaks when she cries out for me.  Evangeline, I want you to know how much I love you and how much I cherish our time together.  You are my silver lining when I'm having a bad day; you make me laugh so hard that my tummy hurts; you are my pride and joy.  I miss you like crazy when I'm not with you and I think of you all day.

Sleep Talking

I have an obssession with taking pictures of EV when she's asleep.  What is it about sleeping babies?!?  Anyways, EV has a very interesting habit.  She's a sleep talker and it's a little creepy.  Between 18 months and 2 years, it would just be random laughter or crying.  Then when she turned two it would be random words, but now she just has random conversations in her sleep. 

One night we heard EV giggling and she says, "Awwww--what a cute puppy" and another time she says, "I'm hungry.  I want some yogurt."  But most recently, EV and I had an arguement while both of us were asleep (yes, I sleep talk as well but it never bothered me because I was never aware of it). Here's what happened.  EV was in deep sleep and I was in a semi-conscious sleep state.  EV starts crying and I ask her, "why are you crying?"  EV does not respond.  I get frustrated.  So, I ask again, "EV, why are you crying?"  Again she does not respond.  So, I am upset now.  "EVANGELINE, WHY ARE YOU CRYING?"  EV says in a whimper, "...because you said no."  Now I'm even more confused and frustrated, "when did I say no to you?"  EV says again, "...you just said no."  I say, "I didn't say anything to you."  This goes on a couple more times.  Then I get frustrated so I leave the room and fall asleep on the couch.  The next morning I have a faint recollection of the conversation but not sure why I was so upset.  EV has no memory of it.  Here's the funniest part, poor Jimmy has no idea what is going on and doesn't know what to do.  How do you console a frustrated wife and a crying daughter when they are both asleep?  Poor Jimmy.

I think I need to have a recorder playing through the night to capture all that is said between EV and myself.  At least she doesn't sleep walk...I used to do that when I was stressed and it would stress out everyone around me.

Oh, and she likes to sleep on top of pillows. She makes a pillow bed on top of her bed.