A breath of fresh air.

This past weekend Katy and I drove ourselves over to Nelli & Ben,

for a weekend of good and fun.

Saturday morning involved HGTV

[I don't have TV! It was the best morning!]

before we headed out to nearby DC.

We parked a mile away from where we wanted to go.

[This came up a few times.]

But, it was ok, because we make ourselves laugh.

A lot. About anything. So, we were entertained.

We took in the sights,

and the circumcision demonstrations.

[I should have taken more pictures...]

Anyway,

we just kept walking.

Even though it was windy and cold.

[Very windy and cold.]

We made our way to nearby foodtrucks for lunch,

and wondered what in the world was happening when they all abruptly shut their windows [before we got the food we'd paid for] 

and started yelling at each other in Arabic.
[Please do not miss what else is going on this picture...]

Fortunately for us, one of us speaks Arabic, and hence we got the scoop:

[Cops, not liking where they're parked. Arrest!]

We were eventually handed food out of a closed window, 

and joined in the procession of peddlers migrating elsewhere 

[anywhere but near their truck...]

It was worth both the drama and the food,

in case you were wondering.

Finally, we found ourselves where we'd meant to be all along,

with some natural history.

We saw the Hope Diamond,

[dazzling!]

and some other gifts of the earth

both ugly [but from my hometown]

and amazing.

But THEN.

But then.

We found ourselves in the butterfly wing,

with butterflies.

Since I cannot stand how much I love butterflies,

please forgive me for the following:

I had warned my girls to have their cameras at the ready,

and sure enough: I made a friend.

[Yes, I talked to it.]

We had to leave them of course,

so we explored the origins of humanity a bit,

and wandered among the other mammals.

I realized that giraffes understand how I feel 

at every buffet I've ever been to,

which is still better than getting my food this way.

We thought we were pretty much done,

but THEN.

But then.

I discovered the orchid room [!!] and there was more to do:

These two humored me,

and entertained themselves

[likely inappropriately, but I didn't want to know].

Then we blew over to the nearby museum of american history,

finding remnants of our childhood

inspiring thoughts like "aw!"

and "am I really that old?"

Done with museums,

we dinnered in Georgetown,

before returning home for a movie, 

a fire [to warm up our windblown bones], 

and brownies.

The following morning was church [so great]

and Indian food [also, so great].

We lounged a bit at home for a while then, 

partaking in one of our favorite activities [minus the piano],

and then it was time to go.

These women challenge me, listen to me, love me, and nurture me.

I laugh more with them than with anyone in the world.

So, it might have been windy and cold out,

but listen: It was like a breath of fresh air.

Siblings, and Cheeks!

Having missed them at Christmas, 

I was hankering for a visit with Kara & Dave

and to get to know this little one.

[Those cheeks!]

After my late-ish Friday night arrival and some subsequent 

"let's dig right in to what we need to talk about", 

we woke the next morning and ventured out to the Public Market,

where we indulged in a delicious breakfast

and even extra [almondy!] treats

[Dad! Why would you tease me about something like that?]

in fun atmosphere.

We wandered around the produce,

where I got slightly more excited than necessary 

over the purchase of a ton of beets and some orange honey,

and these kids had their own moment 

over a still-warm apple cider doughnut of yum.

We returned home then for the main events:

lounging, laundry, and cozy pants;

some reading;

some talking;

some gaming;

and --of course-- cuddles.

Then when it was time to say good-bye, this boy's daddy saved the day,

figuring out my car battery/alarm drama with patient perseverance.

We were very impressed.

My favorite kind of weekend,

with my favorites.