Meet Virginia

It’s not terribly often that I travel without a couple of kids and a hubby in tow but that’s what I’ve been doing for the last week and a half. St. Patrick’s Day I flew out of the bustling hub that is the Magic Valley Regional Airport (aka Joslin Field) where you can take one of four magical flights a day to your choice of destinations, as long as that choice is Salt Lake City. From there it was on to Regan International and a short car ride to Springfield, Virginia.

See my sister was expecting her third baby any day and I had volunteered to come watch her older two boys. The timing couldn’t have been better. I arrived Tuesday, got a run through of the routine Wednesday and the baby decided early Thursday morning that he should greet us. The one and only glitch was that they only have one vehicle, which they’d taken to the hospital. My brother in-law was supposed to bring it back in the morning and we’d do a little shuffling so I could get the boys to school. Of course the new baby decided to arrive at precisely that time and Dad couldn’t leave the hospital during the crucial moment obviously, so the big boys had a school holiday. That’s how it goes folks….you just gotta roll with it.

The new addition is Benjamin Kenneth (and yes, Uncle Kevin’s suggestions that we call him Ben-Ken or BK have been vetoed …Ben will be fine ). He arrived precisely at 7:01pm Eastern Standard Time on March 19th. He weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. Delivery was fast but smooth and both Mom and baby sailed through the process, especially baby. He literally ‘sailed’ out so fast that he was born with the amniotic sac still intact. This is called being born “in the Caul” and has about 1 in 80,000 odds. Historically, especially during the Middle Ages, was viewed as a good luck charm of sorts and many think it means the child is destined for greatness. Hmmmm, we’ll have to wait and see what sort of great things Ben will do. For now his great abilities are limited to big burps, and keeping the party going all night long.

Aunt Cassie enjoyed her baby cuddles immensely. I re-perfected my walk/bounce technique and everything. I also enjoyed playing with the big boys. We went on several walk/bike rides around the subdivision. They also schooled me in Mario Bros. and I learned that my Nintendo skills have definitely not improved over the years. Eventually I was asked to not play and watch instead because I’m “Bad at it like Mommy” (It’s like their Mom and I are related or something). It’s true I should probably stick to board games.

In all too short a time it was back to the airport, via Metro train this time, and back to Twin Falls and my own babies. My awesome Mother-in-law came to watch them while I was gone and they had a grand time entertaining Grandma. Also, spring sprang while I was gone and it looks like I get to start spending quality time behind the mower sooner rather than later……

Virginia – Week 4

We’re in the home stretch…at last! Tomorrow is our last day here. We leave Thursday morning at 8am (well earlier actually, or flight is at 8) to head back home via San Francisco (still not sure how San Fran is ‘on the way’ to Boise from D.C….but you know airlines).

A nanny has been hired and her first full day is on Thursday, but she’s coming for part of the day tomorrow so I can give her the rundown and show her the routine. Her name is Loga and out of everyone they interviewed she just stood out. Funny thing was Carrie & Rob had a miscommunication the day she came to interview and Carrie had gone to run an errand when Loga arrived. I was the only one home so we chatted for awhile. Talked kids, husbands, where are you from, and all that good ‘first meeting’ stuff you’d do with anyone.

In a matter of 30 minutes I learned that though she’s lived in D.C. for ten years she was born and raised in Cameroon. Her first language is French, and English she learned after coming to the states. She has a fantastic French accent! She has also been married for the last seven years and has an little boy about a year younger than Jack. Between her heritage and the fact that her husband is half Caucasian and half Native American I’m guessing that their little boy must be absolutely gorgeous (I told her that and she got a good laugh, said “Yes, he got all the best parts). She met her husband while working at a hair salon. He brought his mother in for an appointment and when he came back he gave her his number…the rest is history.

As for the childcare part she has lots of experience as a nanny and her previous employers all speak highly of her. She seems motivated, energetic, and organized. She makes a schedule each week of what she plans to do with the children. For example she plans to do some basic learning with Wes while Clay is at preschool. I was impressed. Hopefully, she works out as well as I imagine she will. I would trust her to watch my kids so…..let’s cross our fingers and pray.

Virginia – Week 3

We’re over the hump folks. Next time I write I should be in the midst of packing up to head back to Idaho. Though I’ve had some good times during my stay here I’m more than ready to head home. I’m pretty sure the kids feel the same way. I know for sure that Kevin does. He’s said he’s “tired of being on a first name basis with pizza” and “done with doing his own laundry.” I interpret these statements as, “I miss you baby,  puuuhhhleeease come home soon”

As for all the kiddos, everybody seems to be okay. Wesley, the younger nephew is actually talking to me now…not as much as I know he can, but I’m actually getting statements rather than headshakes. He’s even having fun giggling and laughing with the other kids instead of hanging out alone like he did the first week or so. The only drawback is that while he’s fine with me during the day the minute Carrie comes home he clamps on to her leg and becomes extremely clingy. He’s also having a difficult time at night. Carrie gets him to sleep but he’ll wake up a few hours later and just wail inconsolably. Hopefully, this will ease as he works through the transition of his Mom working. Clayton, the older one, is taking it all in stride, mostly… I think he gets frustrated about Mom being gone all the time. For now Jack is a welcome distraction for him, but I wonder what will happen once Jack goes home?

Okay, now on to the good stuff. As you can see I finally picked up a card reader so that you can see PICTURES!!!! Yippee! I posted most everything so far into an album on Facebook, but I’ll work on putting some in the previous posts of the next day or so.

This past weekend we actually did several things. The first was a trip to Mount Vernon (Home of George and Martha Washington). What a place this was. The mansion was amazing, and the greenhouse and gardens surrounding the house were extensive. Good old George was really quite the farmer and agricultural innovator. He employed techniques like crop rotation, and experimented with what soil types best grew which crops. He imported plants various parts of the world and grew them in his greenhouses. Yup, there were bananas, key limes, oranges, and all sorts of tropical plants. What is so jaw-dropping is that this was in the late18th century! George actually considered himself a farmer first, the politics and military career were just other things he did.

Admittedly, the  kids were not as ‘excited’ about all the factual stuff as I was. Emilie liked inspecting sticks, rocks, and leaves; while the boys were most enamored by watching the boats on the Potomac river the plantation overlooks. All the kids got a chance to sit on a horse (well Clay didn’t want to so he didn’t) and Jack even got to ride his around a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

The next day we took the kids apple picking at a nearby orchard (hence the photo at the top). On the way home we realized we were close to Dulles Airport where the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is. While we had stopped in at the National Mall location of the Air & Space Museum, over 80% of the Smithsonian’s collection is housed here. One of the focal points of the collection is the Discovery Space Shuttle. Jack, as you know, will be Jack, so even though we tried to get him stoked about seeing the Space Shuttle he was really more excited to see all the helicopters! It was so bad, most of my pictures show him looking away from the camera gazing at the choppers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The other highlight of the trip for the kids was going up to the observation tower. At the top of the tower is a large oval room with floor to ceiling glass windows. From here you can clearly see the planes landing at Dulles….and I mean CLEARLY. These planes passed by close to the tower! The kids all loved it! They also had fun trying to find our car parked in the parking lot below.

Not sure what the plan is for this weekend. Carrie and I have a sewing project that really needs to get done, and Clay has a birthday party to go to. We may just take it easy and see what comes of that.

Virginia – Week 2

Two weeks down and one and a half to go. Still enjoying our visit but ready to go home. I miss Kevin, the kids miss their Daddy, and I’m just ready to be back to OUR life, routine, and day to day stuff. I guess you could say all three of use are a little homesick.

Everybody is feeling better this week and no sickies sure does make life easier. Jack’s been a little rebellious which I attribute to being cooped up and not having Daddy around. He’s used to running around in our huge backyard all the time and my sister’s backyard is a 12x12 deck. There is not much room to run unless you walk to the park which we can’t do ALL day long. I think he’s feeling a little caged and it is showing by him trying to get away with things he would never do at home. He’s giving me a run for my money, but we’ll make it through.

Still haven’t got my hands on a card reader so no pictures. Trust me I will find a way! I feel like I’m in withdrawals not being able to share some awesome photos of the kids, my sister’s family, and not to mention Washington D.C.!

Speaking of D.C we did get to go see the National Mall last Saturday. It was AWESOME! We spent about six hours walking around looking at all the monuments and tributes. Covered about 6 miles in all (all while pushing a stroller and/or wearing the Ergo). The Franklin D. Roosevelt monument was my favorite. I loved all the water features and as you were drawn along the path you were on a timeline of his career essentially. There were excellent quotes on the walls, many of which still ring true today. I also found the Jefferson Memorial to be pretty cool. Jack seemed to enjoy any monument with a water feature….like the WWII monument and running around on the grass in the mall. Actually all the kids seemed to enjoy that part. ;-P

The squirrels that live on the mall are HUGE I must say and they are really aggressive beggars.  I kid you not one was seriously considering hopping in the stroller for a ride and to share Cheez-its with Emilie while we walked along the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial…that is just a little to close for my comfort.

The one thing all four kids enjoyed the most however, was not part of the National Mall. It was the ride too the mall itself. We rode in on the Metro Train and the kids were in heaven! We even managed seats right behind the conductor both ways so the kids could look out at the oncoming track. They were so very very excited! Now every time we get in the mini-van someone, without fail, asks if we are going to ride the train.

Not sure what our plan is for this weekend. We’ve talked about Mount Vernon or Manassas, but really I’m open to anything. I just like to visit National Parks for the sole purpose of getting stamps for my National Parks Passport book. If anybody has suggestions I’m open to anything. Pretty much my only rough guideline are: inexpensive, kid friendly, and fun.

Virginia – Week 1

Tomorrow marks the end of my first week here in Virginia. So far it hasn’t been that bad…

For those of you wondering I’m not really out here for a pleasure trip. My big sister started a new job this past Monday as a patent reviewer for petroleum engineering patents with the Patent and Trade Administration (hopefully I got that all right). This is here first time back to the workforce since her oldest was born and he turns 5 at the end of the year. She was officially offered the job last Wednesday and started Monday (The patent office has fast turn around.) Needless to say there was not much time to find childcare so that’s where I come in. I pretty much packed up the kids and myself and flew across the country to help….yes I can, and if remotely possible, will drop everything and come if I have a friend/family member in need.

So far I’m doing pretty much the same things I do at home, but in my sister’s house with twice as many kids. (My nephews Clayton (Clay) and Wesley are 4.5 and almost 2.) I’m doing the preschool pick-up/drop off for Clay, feeding kids, washing dishes, picking up the house, doing laundry, walking the dog, cooking dinner, and whatever else I can lend a hand to.  

Emilie is in love with my sister’s lab, and my former Guide Dog Puppy, Picata. (Picata’s in the teen years, which makes her an old lady in the dog world. She sleeps a lot but is fantastic with the kids.) Emilie solicits full on ‘french’ kisses from her then laughs. Jack calls her ‘Pup’ and just wants to feed her whatever he thinks she’s like…cereal, hotdogs, whatever. Picata is a bit of a food hound a fully appreciates him.

As I said at the beginning it hasn’t been too bad so far. The kids are getting along as well as can be expected for the under 5 set. They ride bikes, play in the backyard, and are really good at wearing each other out. The only real issues is that between it being ‘back-to-school’ season and the fact that they are ‘new’ to each other from opposite sides of the country; they have some nice germs to exchange. Carrie’s kids have been taking turn puking the last two days and mine have some impressive snot flowing from their noses. Everybody is a little, um, loose in the toilet department, and even the dog pitched in by barfing on the floor Monday afternoon (she politely waited until AFTER that long walk to park and we were back indoors….thanks dog.) I feel like I’ve spent waaaaaaay too much time cleaning up other people’s bodily fluids.

Hopefully, things will settle down in the next few days. I’m hoping to get out to see the sights this weekend. My sister and brother-in-law are less than an hour from Washington D.C. and I’ve never been to our nation’s capitol.

I’ve got some great pictures to share, but (and I’ve told my sister this) the computer here is so ‘ancient’ that is doesn’t have a built in card reader and the only USB plug-ins are in the back….old I tell ya. Needless to say, I haven’t figured out a way to get the pictures off my camera. But when I do I'll share.