DC Weekend with William

William and I ventured up to D.C. together a couple weeks ago and we had a great time running around the monuments and exploring the National Zoo. Also, the flight up and back were a breeze. William can now sit in his seat and concentrate on an activity the entire time we're in the air. It was great!

Washington Monument

WWII Monument

Watching the sunset over the Lincoln Memorial

The next day we went to the National Zoo with Erica and Cole. I'd say this was his first true zoo experience, but he has seen a few animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom like a giraffe, lion and zebra. One of the highlights was the panda bear exhibit. I don't think Matt has ever seen a panda himself and William can already cross that off the list! And not only a panda bear, but a baby panda bear too, which is pretty rare! Little Bao Bao was sitting high up in a tree all curled up.

Cole and William watching the panda

William and Cole at the zoo

Cole, let me show you this elephant!

The meerkat and William playing tag

I don't remember the Ape Exhibit smelling this bad as a kid... 

People... we were at the ZOO not the OO

We stopped by my Aunt Celine's and visited with family. William kept calling my brother, "Boy" and so when Daniel and my cousin Alec would go back inside to watch lacrosse, William would run to the front door and yell in, "Hey boy!" trying to get them to come back outside to play.

Then we threw a sprinkle for Erica on Sunday! Erica, Jared and big brother Cole are expecting a little girl in July. A little photo collage for the main event below!

Baby girl sprinkle for Erica!

A great mother and son weekend! I hope William enjoys traveling as much as I do - he was a great travel buddy!

Virginia Trip

Once again William is collecting his frequent flyer miles fast and furious. His fourth roundtrip flight was to Washington, DC earlier this month. We enjoyed a weekend with dad and then William and I stuck around for a few days more. It was a great trip with nothing much planned - just relaxing and enjoying family and friends -- perfect!

While Dad was around we went to Cox Farms - I have great memories here picking out pumpkins when I was little on school field trips and petting all the different farm animals. It was a gorgeous fall day and I loved bundling up William!

Welcome to Cox Farms, William!

I love his little barn coat!

Dad and Mama even got a night out while my mom and Aunt Celine watched Mr. William. Wine tasting in Clifton with the Collins.

Cole joined the party too!

Another great part of the week was meeting a couple new friends for William! I mentioned in Month 3 post that my high school friends Erica and Lauren were expecting babies this fall. Well, the boys have made their arrivals! Cole Thomas Collins and Coleman John Woodley! William missed out on the duo's meet and greet we had at the Woodley's house, but he did get lunch with Cole Collins later in the week. We also got to celebrate Cole Collin's Baptism that weekend at the Collins' house. Cole is "totally Catholic" now - Erica will appreciate that one! :)

Coleman Woodley and Cole Collins

Cole's Baptism day!

Other fun activities were walking Burke Lake in the mornings, cold days in our fleece pjs with a nice fire going, playing with the fall leaves... Heaven.

Burke Lake walk

Watching Mac outside

Something new

 

Start em young - little laxer

 

And I can't forget flying back home as a solo parent! Until now flights were a breeze because William didn't move. Now that he's very mobile and very motivated to investigate everything around him, I got a little nervous thinking I couldn't contain him and someone sitting next to us would not be happy. My prayers were answered though! Our row was empty, the flight attendants let me on the plane before everyone else (even before other families for some reason!) and take off was on time. Couldn't be better! What a nice trip. We are looking forward to many more trips back to Virginia and D.C.

Ahh... one nice empty row! Bye Bye VA!