Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Nonnie and Poppie were scheduled to visit over Memorial Day weekend.  We called to warn them of the germ infestation that was our home that week, but they decided to brave the trip anyway.  It was a nice break from the “sick ward” week and an excellent excuse to get our house back into shape after a month long kitchen renovation.   Can I just say how good it feels to have my house back in order?  The table is now removed to the dining room, the living room a place to relax again and there’s no longer a permanent layer of dust covering all the furniture.  I could feel the stress from the past few weeks diminish with each swipe of the dust rag.

Nonnie and Poppie arrived Saturday afternoon.  Jude was napping but the other two were excitedly awaiting their arrival. 

We’ve been waiting for some houseguests to go check out St. Michael’s – a quaint, historic town on the bay about an hour’s drive from us.  I had been looking forward to this trip for a couple of weeks now.  Unfortunately, Jude was not of the same mind.  We decided the best thing to do was lunch first so the kids would be happier.  That’s when things started to go downhill.  Julia was ready to nurse, Jack just wanted to play and Jude was getting grumpier by the minute.  We rushed through eating so we could get the kids back outside and moving.  

Photo Credit: Nonnie

We found a park under same shade trees where Jack could burn off some energy.  But Jude just wanted to be held.  What he really needed was a nap but he was still up for fighting that off at this point.

Photo Credit: Nonnie

Our next stop was the Maritime Museum.  Since it was Memorial Day weekend the museum was free to military members and their families, which was excellent.  Because we definitely didn’t get our money’s worth that day.  Jude started screaming and throwing a fit as soon as we arrived, and continued to do so the rest of our visit.  Jon and I took turns holding him and trying to put him to sleep, but all to no avail. 

What a man!

I’m guessing his throat still hurt.  We also think he’s getting his 2 year molars.  And to top it all off he was suffering from a horrible rash (either from the strep or from the penicillin).  Whatever it was, the poor guy was miserable.  I’ve never seen him cry so much or for so long.  It was exhausting for all of us.

I was snapping pictures and then noticed Jack leaning a little too far over the pier.

Eventually we gave up and left the museum early.  When we finally arrived back at the car Jude of course refused to get into his car seat.  I held him in my lap with the air conditioning running and within second he fell asleep.  Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, finally some peace!

We pointed the car south and continued our drive towards Tilghman Island.  Jon’s dad had an aunt who once lived there and we wanted to go exploring.  There’s not much to see in that part of Maryland, but what you can see is beautiful.  If my dream house is a farmhouse and Jon’s dream house is on the water, then this is one area of the nation where both our worlds collide.  The homes, tree-lined lanes, bay views and wealth of land was just stunning.

We stopped off at a quaint little general store for ice cream before making our way home.  All in all, it had all the potential of being of a lovely trip, if it wasn't for my sick little guy.  It's not Jude's fault though.  Poor thing got dragged around all day when he wasn't feeling well.  Thankfully, by Monday morning he seemed quite back to his old self again.

Photo Credit: Nonnie

And Monday was a hot one!  So when buckets and watering cans weren't enough we decided it was high time we test out the new slip 'n slide.  Jack loved it, even though he hasn't quite figured out how to do it yet.  After Nonnie and Poppie left I put a suit on to show him how it was done (no pictures!), but as usual he managed to make his own fun anyway he knew how.

Jude wasn't feeling the slip 'n slide love.

Typical Jude expression right there.

 He tiptoed down a few times...

...fell once, and from then on decided to just put his hand in the spray from a safe distance.

Another typical Jude expression.

And Julia took it all in.  She loves to watch her big brothers ... and chew on wooden spoons.  Did I mention the Little Miss finally had two bottom teeth break through?

Photo Credit: Nonnie

And while we're on the subject of Julia milestones, Nonnie did her up in her first set of pigtails over the weekend.  She looked so stinkin' cute!

*sigh* I so enjoy having a daughter!

Photo Credit: Nonnie

And although I'm a week late in saying this, which makes it all the more authentically Coastie Fam-esque, thank you to all those who have served and especially to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us have opportunities to make such wonderful memories.  You will not be forgotten!