Our Circus Hits the Road

Well, friends, you've not heard much from us lately because we took our little circus on the road. We braved our biggest adventure yet, flying to Washington, D.C.! The Army had offered to fly me and Jim out there so that Jim could attend an awards ceremony, and we decided that the girls needed to come, too.

We left on Mother's Day. A nine-hour flight (another two-hour flight followed that one) with a two-year-old and an eight-month-old isn't quite a Mother's Day spa getaway, but we were together, and we were grateful for that.

Our flight left in the late afternoon, so that gave us all morning to do final packing. By the time we arrived at the airport, both girls were pretty excited.

Thankfully, the overnight flight worked out beautifully. After the initial excitement of being on the plane wore off, the girls both slept for a good portion of the trip. Madeline was an angel in my arms, and Kathleen seemed quite happy in her carseat. We didn't have any crying episodes, and since we managed to sit in the bulkhead, we didn't have to worry about anyone kicking the backs of the seats!

By the time we arrived in D.C., we were too tired for sight-seeing. Besides, it was rainy and cold. Not that cold if you live on the mainland, but really cold if you've been living in the tropics! After we found our hotel, and went out for lunch, we gave into a much needed nap.

We'd arranged our own hotel for the first day of our visit (the Army made the arrangements for the rest of the time) and we stayed at an Embassy Suites. Having two rooms was perfect for our circus! Kathleen slept in the sitting room on the pull-out couch, which we called her super-secret bed. She thought it was the coolest thing ever.

She slept like a champ. In fact, that night she nearly slept through a fire alarm! At about quarter to five in the morning, some sort of "fire emergency" (according to the alarm) required the evacuation of the hotel. Despite flashing lights and blaring noise, Kathleen didn't wake up until we actually picked her up, all bundled in her blankets, and carried her outside. She woke then, and both girls happily watched the fire engine while Daddy talked to a general from Hawaii who happened to be staying at the same hotel. And then, after all that, when we returned to the room and laid Kathleen on her super-secret bed, she immediately fell asleep. And she slept until eleven in the morning!

When we finally roused our sleeping beauties, we made the big switch to the hotel where we'd spend the next two nights. (Amusingly, the first Sheraton we attempted to check into was not the hotel where we had reservations. Way to go!) Once we were settled, we headed out to see some sights. The rain and cold of the day before had given way to picture-postcard weather. What a blessing!

We took the girls for their first trip on the Metro; Kathleen was delighted with the train. She loved to watch them arrive in the station, and she was even more excited to board one. When Daddy didn't have a seat, she insisted on standing, too. It was hysterical. We spent the early afternoon on the Mall. Jim and Kathleen rode a carousel. We all ate hot dogs in the sunshine. (Okay, Madeline skipped the hot dogs, opting for some puree peaches, instead.) We walked around, enjoying the weather, admiring the monuments, and marveling that we were actually there!

When we'd had enough of playing tourist, we headed back to the hotel, hoping to give the girls a late nap. And whom did we meet as we walked in the door? Jim's sisters and his parents! They'd come to join us for the "official" part of our trip. More on that later...