Shenandoah National Park

We spent most of the day enjoying the outdoors at the beautiful Shenandoah National Park! The kids did great...Mady hiked almost 3 miles...with minimal complaints! One of the trails leads to several natural pools! We found it's a favorite hang out for families! We sat and enjoyed the views and had a snack!
There were so many butterflies all around...Mady was in heaven...Zach...not so much! While taking a break one landed on Peter and hung around a very long time, then one landed on Zach's apple...he wasn't happy with that sweet butterfly!! Several landed on Mady and I as well...she loved that!
We are looking forward to coming back in the fall...the leaves will be gorgeous!

Which way do we go?????

Zach was NOT happpy with this butterfly!
He keep saying shoo, shoo...

Cakelove

Since our move to D.C. I have experienced the pleasure of eating some of the most fabulous cupcakes my little mouth has ever tried...I use to watch Warren on the Food Network and would wish I could try his fabulous desserts...well now I can! His story is such a inspiration to me...he followed his dream and opened Cakelove! Today we went and had some of his yummy treats!

Mady waiting for that yummy cupcake!
Zach's choice...Chocolate on Chocolate


Mady had Vanilla on Vanilla

Almost forgot to mention...I found out today while at his store that they have classes on baking! Can you believe it!!!! I was giddy when I found that out! I can't tell you how excited I am about taking a class!!

Special Dinner Night

Mady has had a super fabulous first week of Kindergarten! She has enjoyed everything about going to BIG GIRL school! WHEW! What a relief! Daddy came home early from work and walked over to pick Mady up from School this afternoon! She was so happy to see him! We decided to take her out and celebrate a wonderful week and kick off our 3 day weekend!

We went over to Bethesda, Maryland....about a 10 minute drive from us. A lovely little downtown area with fabulous restaurants and a great place to enjoy an evening walking around! She choose Mexican...so we tried a new place Uncle Julio's...Yummy!

After taking a walk we went to Barnes and Noble and just hung out reading, looking around, and playing with the fabulous train table...THEN as we were leaving ii happened!! THE MELT DOWN!!! I have been told from experienced Mommies about this melt down most kids WILL have as they transition into school! WELL, let me tell you it was over nothing really(we had to leave) and lasted until she feel asleep! CRAZY!! I have tried to prepare myself and Peter for it...NOTHING would have prepared us for this event!!!!! We tried to be very understanding of her little issue...but it took a lot of patience! We sure hope that was it...hope she got it all out...hope NEVER to experience that again...

Happy Friday!

Mady has had a fabulous first week of Kindergarten! She has walked down every morning dressed and ready for school! This is her this morning! She has transitioned into school so much easier than Peter and I ever imagined and we are so thankful! Mady has made several new friends and even has had a couple of play dates after school already! She was so proud of her job at school this week...Attendance! She helps Mrs. Hill with the morning attendance of her class, then gets to walk the attendance record and any other important announcement's to Mrs. Main...The Principle!! Seeing her so happy makes my heart SMILE!!!


Mady in one of her new school outfits!

Mady is so silly...this morning she was being super silly!

Walking into class...Have a Happy Day Mady!!

Now it's just me and this amazing little guy!

Walking home after dropping Mady off at school!

My little man is always finding rocks, sticks, acorns

I adore this little boy!!

Mady goes to Kindergarten!

Mady had a fabulous day at Kindergarten! She sat with me after school and told me about her entire day! Her favorite part was lunch and meeting her new friends! She liked lunch...today they had chicken(not the nugget kind she said), mashed potatoes, fruit cup, and a roll! She said she wants to by lunch everyday! She said she missed me earlier and cried a little, but Mrs. Hill gave her a hug and she felt better! When I picked her up she had tears in her eyes...I have told her all along I would sit on a certain bench and wait for her, well they came out a different way and she didn't think I would know where she was...otherwise the day was awesome! She says she wants to go back...Like she has a choice!!!! We are so proud of our little girl!!!

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First Day of Kindergarten

Miss Mady walking to Kindergarten!

Weekend Fun

Peter and I have always enjoyed hiking! B.C.(Before Children) we would spend almost every weekend discovering new trails and taking long quiet hikes! We are determined to share the love of the experience with our children...and make them LIKE it! Our hikes now are much much shorter and not without complaints from the peanut gallery...(especially Mady)! Today we went to Burke Lake in Virgina, it was a beautiful day and the kids did awesome! They both hiked the 2 miles and enjoyed it!

This morning Daddy went for a long bike ride, so...Me and the kiddos went for a long walk! It was a beautiful morning in D.C., with a cool crisp bite in the air! On our way home we stopped by the market for some fresh fruit, veggies and flowers(love this about city life)! Then we stopped by our favorite bakery for breakfast, and ate it in the park! Mady chose the most delicious chocolate bundt cake and Zach a chocolate chip muffin...and me...a chocolate croissant...heavenly! We headed home to shower and off to Baltimore for the day!

I want that...Chocolate Chip Muffin!
Mady chose a Chocolate Bundt Cake!
Making a wish!
See the rainbow

The Yankees played the Orioles today! It was a fabulous game! We had so much fun! What a great weekend!

Zach kept flirting with this cute girl...
Yankees Win!

Mady Meets her Kindergarten Teacher...Mrs. Hill

Mady drew a picture for Mrs. Hill

The necklace Mady(with my help) made (her idea) for her new teacher!
Mady walking into Lafayette Elementary School!
Mrs. Hill LOVED her necklace
Madyson shares a locker with her friend Brooke
Mrs. Hill and Madyson

She loved her classroom

Mady checking out her class pet

We meet Mrs. Hill today! Mady has an adorable Kindergarten class! She also has a fabulous group of kids in her class, 17 in all! Mady asked me earlier this week if I could help her make a Big girl necklace for her teacher with the special beads her friend Samuel gave her for her birthday. So she picked all the beads and helped me string them into a necklace for her new teacher. Mady is such a thoughtful little girl!! Mrs. Hill LOVED her gift from Mady! Mrs. Hill was great with the kids. Mady was so happy and talked to many of the kids...not usually like her! She is actually more excited than I thought she would be! That makes me fell so much better! We'll see how Monday goes...