Recap of Trip

Our month long stay has been wonderful. We've been staying in Maryland during the week and going to Pennsylvania on the weekends. Dann drove from Philadelphia to the campground the first weekend we were here to take me to our friends party While Betty watched the girls, the first weekend I've ever been away from them. It was a little strange but I was able to push the mommy guilt to the side for most of it. I got to see people there that I haven't seen since we first moved to Hawaii. So that was really special and very sweet of Dann. Their were really two parties one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Saturday there were belly dancers and a mixing board for a DJ spin off. Sunday night was the 4th of July so there were fire works courtesy of the hosts and amazing fire dancing. Lots of drinks, great friends, and yummy food.

The girls and I got to see Grace and Wyatt which was awesome and amazing to see how much Wyatt has grown. We got to swim;Julia and Wyatt were having so much fun in the pool being silly splashing and what not. Then Sarah took Wyatt for a ride in her Barbie mobile. Julia got upset because she wasn't in the mobile and then got stung by a wasp. She got over it fast and played more with Wyatt and the trio had lots of fun til it was time to say goodbye. My heart was so full seeing the kids together like that. We will miss those guys until the next time.

I got to spend a whole weekend with Angie and Audre which hasn't been done since maybe high school so it was very special. Audre and I picked wild flowers, tried beerfloats, tried Angies' choice of Jalapeno Pizza which is amazing, and just had a riotously good time with Ben, Angie, and Audre. Lots of wonderful spicy food, drinking, catching up with friends, and Rock Band playing. I also felt so blessed to be able to spend so much time with Angie and Audre this trip.

The girls got to spend a bunch of quality time with their Nana, Poppa, Aunt Katrina, and Aunt Erin. They have had so much fun making crafts,painting ceramics, and dancing like there is no tomorrow at the campground. Sarah has been so happy to make best friends where ever she goes and Julia has made great friends too; especially with a really nice man who works at the campground who she likes to call Mr.Nobody but has graduated to Mr.Ice cream. Julia also discovered she can swim without floaties and very recently started swimming on her back.

Betty, the girls, and I also visited Katrina and Cris in Salisbury. Katrina had got the girls a balloon making kit and Katrina made this really wonderful multicolored Octopus balloon animal. Julia really enjoyed twisting the balloon so she got the hang of it pretty fast. She also didn't mind popping the balloons so we heard a lot of that too. Betty had gotten a hotel room so we all had fun swimming in the pool and enjoying the continental breakfast. We also got a chance to go to Ocean City. It was the girls first time there and they loved the sand. Julia was fearless in the water and loved it. Sarah unusually enough wouldn't get into the water until Katrina carried her and then she was still afraid while being held above the water. She seemed to relax after a while. It just surprised me because Sarah is usually so fearless. They saw their first sky boards,seagulls, and Katrina bought them souvenirs. Sarah chose a pink and white poodle that fits in a pink purse and Julia chose a little doll with outfits.

We were going to drive straight from the campground from Katrina's but we ended up stopping at Betty's house since the girls were being insane and wouldn't stop screaming at each other in the car. Betty had gotten some fruit and vegetables at a farmers market on the way so we enjoyed delicious cantaloupe and tomatoes. We still have some cantaloupe in the fridge and the thought of it makes my mouth water.

We just got back from the campground for the last time and it was great. Erin, Bobby and their friends, Dann, Jenn ,Beth, my brother Dan, Ruth, and Eve all came to enjoy Pirate weekend. Dann, Jenn, and Beth got there first so we went swimming in the adult pool which is a different world from the regular pool. It was the first time I had been in it and it was quite, warm, and calm. Everything an adult could ever ask for. The girls spent the morning with Erin, Bobby, and their friends so they were all pretty spent when Erin and Bobby brought them back but I think they had a good time. Erin and Bobby also brought a Surrey for us to ride. So Dann peddled while Jenn, Beth, the girls and I enjoyed his efforts. It was a lot more work once Dann got off. Then Dan, Ruth, and Eve showed up so we peddled to their cabin site, relaxed a while, and then showed them around.

We all went out to a really nice dinner in town where we ate fresh local cheese, fruit, and enjoyed wine that they had brought with them. Unfortunately I forgot my purse at the restaurant but I'm hoping that someone can overnight it back to me because it doesn't open until Tuesday. We all went for a swim in the morning, said our goodbyes and then headed back to Maryland. I sat in back with the girls while we played a million questions. Our stay has been wonderful and I feel so appreciative for everyone especially to Betty for bringing us out here and doing so much.

This is our last week and tomorrow we should be meeting up with my Aunt Mary, Dan, Eve, and hopefully Ruth at some point at the DC museums. Wednesday is plan-free, Thursday we are doing lunch with Mike, and Friday morning we are getting on a plane back to Hawaii. The biggest task at hand is getting the girls to take a bath. I fear that I might have to cut Sarahs' hair if she doesn't let me wash it soon. Something needs to be done because it is starting to look like road kill.