Sweet Home Alabama

Caroline and I went on a "surprise" visit to Alabama this weekend. My sister, Ellen, and her 2 girls were there for the week visiting my mom and dad. I had a feeling that it might be another couple of months before Chase, the kids and I get to DC, so I decided to meet them in Birmingham. I told mom and dad that Caroline and I were coming, but didn't tell Ellen. It was so much fun to surprise her! I had such a great time with Esther and Ruthie. Ellen and I talk on the phone almost every other day, so even though months go by and we don't see each other, I don't feel like I am not in touch with her, what's going on, etc. But, I do realize just how much I miss with Esther and Ruthie. Especially Esther at this age. I want her to get to know me, know that I love her and that we have fun together....even though I have 2 of my own children, I want her (and Ruthie) to know how special they are to me. My Aunt Marsha did an Excellent job of this. Even though she had her own 2 boys, she always made my sisters and I feel like we were her own daughters. I want Esther and Ruthie to have that same special connection with me. But to do that, I need to see them, interact with them, make sure I make the effort...b/c it is SO worth it!

I also was able to see my childhood friend, Erin, and her 3 kids. Erin and I grew up together and I spent so much time at her house over the years. Her family was so kind and welcoming to me. It was nice to go over there and escape the "2 sisters" at home!
It was nice to watch the kids play and catch up on everyone/everything. Erin is probably one of the easiest people in the world to talk to...not to mention a great friend!

Ellen and I hit of Gymboree, of course. She helped me pick out the items that were at least 50% off. I got some really cute things for Caroline for the fall and some dirt cheap shirts for John...which is good since he is SO hard on his clothes!
I just love going back home to Birmingham. It doesn't change much, so you feel like you haven't been gone for as long as you actually have. Chase and I miss the little things about Alabama...like every license plate being for Auburn or Bama; the high school guys with their hair that resembles an Alabama frat guy, the barbeque, etc. Fall, of course, is the best time to visit and we will be doing that this year. Chase and I haven't been to an Alabama football game since before John was born. Time to go back....even if the entire season is sold out. I am optimistic we can find tickets somewhere!

John and Caroline

Updates on each! Caroline has started to "walk". I say that lightly, but I really think this is it. I have not encouraged it at all! She just started doing it one day this past week and I think she realizes it is easier than crawling. The first day she started, she was doing the "Frankenstein" wobbly walk, but today she is much more sturdy. She has also learned how to give a "kiss" and leans in to you when you ask her for one. It is adorable. Still talking up a storm, just in her own language. She adores John and often when Chase has them both home during the week, he will look over at them, playing with their toys, only to see them giving each other a big bear hug!

John continues to be the family comedian. He is in the stage where he uses grown up phrases, but not exactly as a grown up would use them. For example, I will say "John, why don't you put on your shoes and then we can go outside and water the plants". To which he will say "Oh, mommy, that IS a good idea!".

This morning he told me that he was "hundry". I asked him what he would like to eat and he replies "there are yots of trees in the pantry". I wasnt' sure what he was talking about, so I asked him what he meant. He said "come on, i will show you". He walks me into the pantry and points to a basket where I keep Spiderman and Batman treats for special occassions, and says "see, you have yots of trees in the pantry". Interpretation: "You have lots of treats in the pantry". Such a sweet boy.

Still Not Walking

Well, Caroline is still boycotting the whole walking thing, but she has found a very creative way to use those darling little shoes that I have bought for her. John thinks it is hysterical!

Day 5 - Time to Go

The nice part about traveling for work is that you get MILES. The bad part is that the airlines screw you on the flights that you can book with those MILES. We were set to leave San Diego at 5pm, which means 7pm our time, and even though both kids had on their pj's, neither of them slept long enough to even blog about. We landed at 11pm, Dallas time. Both kids WIDE AWAKE and full into the 3rd WIND MODE. Not good.

But, before we had to leave the place we love, but can't move to b/c we cannot afford it.... we went to La Jolla...once again. This time, Cody's was open and we did lunch. It was so nice. I just love this place. It is outdoor seating, with a wonderful view of the pacific ocean...La Jolla Cove. And they put up with our kids....maybe that is it. Oh yeah, and, we saw former Cowboy great LaRoi Glover...fun for Chase.

Day 4 - Tuesday

Didn't do much this day. Just used the day to have free to "beach it" and do whatever the kids wanted. We had a nice breakfast, then headed over to the beach. Note to self: Buy tent for beach that Chase can close easily, without me laughing at him while he tries and pissing him off AND being pure entertainement for the entire Hotel Del Coronado beach go'ers. Yep, note to self on that one.
We did go to the beach where:

A. John was knocked over by a wave within the first 5 minutes of being there and therefore does NOT want to go into the ocean...EVER AGAIN.

B. Caroline likes to eat sand...just doesn't like the taste. I told her it doesn't taste good...but who the hell am I??

C. After a long time at the beach you ask yourself "Maybe it is time to pack up and go"...GO FOR IT. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, JUST GO. I waited, after that point, and the whole 5 minute walk back to the hotel was HATING myself. NOT FUN. Just a warning for you rookies

It was sad to think that the days had gone by so fast and that our time in paradise was almost over. We hung around the hotel that night and tried to savor the last of the 70 degree weather. So WONDERFUL

OMG - Almost forgot. So, that night, we were at the Hotel Del, outside, on the patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Caroline wouldn't go to sleep, so I decided to take her for a walk in her stroller, while Chase and John kept the seats warm at our favorite outdoor place at the Del, Babcook and Story. So, I was walking back towards the table, 30 min later, Caroline asleep, and my sweet little John Michael was so excited to see me that he JUMPED up from his chair, knocked over the table AND the 2 glasses of wine that were on top of it. So typical Wofford that I cannot even being to explain - my sisters will get this. "Unfortunate" luck seems to follow my husband. The waitress was SO NICE and I figured that at this kind of high end hotel, she deals with some real assholes, so the fact that we were falling over ourselves to apologize...and a good tip...ALL was forgotten.

Day 3 - Monday

Zoo Day

Big day for us. Had to get to the Zoo by the time it opened. Since they opened at 9am, this was no biggie for us 7am risers. We took John to this zoo when he was 14 months, so it was fun to take him back. I almost started to cry when we sat at the SAME restaurant we sat at 3 years ago and John was only 1.....and then...all of a sudden....here is my 4 year old little boy! Tim Russert was right..having children is the greatest JOY and PRIVELAGE you can have. Caroline liked the Zoo..as much as she could. She is much more interested in things than John was at that age. She likes to "take inventory" as we call it. John is more "go with the flow". Zoo was fun, but by 3pm, we were Exhausted! Only 12 Panda Bears in the United States...we saw 3 that day...TIME TO GO. Both kids fell asleep in the car on the short ride from the Zoo back to the hotel.

Another night of just finding a nice local restaurant, this time pizza, then over to the Del for some music and family fun.

Day 2 - Sunday

Father's Day.

What a nice way to spend Father's Day. Chase had planned the day for us. A sea lion cruise in the harbor and then an early dinner in La Jolla. The Sea lion boat ride was fun. Only saw about 1 minute of sea lions, but the weather is so nice in San Diego that it was fine. We left there, kids napped back at the hotel, then off to La Jolla. My favorite spot in the WHOLE world. It is just such a place of serenity...calm, relaxing, etc. I try to picture the cove on those days when work is just too much...

We didn't get to eat where we wanted, a place called Cody's. They were closed, as it was a Sunday, so we took a gamble and went to another restaurant nearby. It was WONDERFUL. Kids were good, food was good, service was amazing. So nice when it all comes together!