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20th
Overnight at our super 8 motel, the 7 yr old, who has a high pain threshold, woke upnwithba very sore ear. I was concerned we would need to stumble out into the unknown looking for an emergency room as the motel's wifi was hopeless!
Thankfully he fell asleep when the panadol kicked in. The next morning it was clear we were going nowhere without medical treatment. There was the whole medical insurance thing which had the skeptical emergency centre, who had never dealt with anything like it, a little flummoxed.
Once we got seen to and prescriptions written out, it was obvious we would be at least 3 hours late to visit Jennifer (a dear friend from high school) and her family.
We pulled into their drive there was Jennifer- laughing and hugging and I swear she hasn't changed a bit. Such a warm and loving soul; being with her is like visiting with a hug- all cosy and inviting!
We had a fabulous visit and then got to getting the TexMex feast that Jennifer had prepared out. A make-your-own plate buffet with beef, cheese, feta, Jeff's famous guacamole, two types of tamales, rice, beans and all the salad fixings. Not to mention taco shells and corn chips. Wowsers! Then a fantabulous chocolate cake!
During our visit it was hilarious to trade memories of our times together. Uncanny how her memories of me were things I could barely remember. My brain! The thing that I mostly remembered overall about Jennifer from high school was her huge heart that was non- judgemental and full of compassion and warmth for others. She is still the same. Love you Jen!!
We caught up a little on the highs and lows in the inbetween years too.
Other highlights from the visit to the Christian family:
*Jeff Truck took Bodie out for a ride on his fatboy. That plus the dinner with two Gypsies is gonna be the highlight of Bodie's trip. ( the photo is of Jeff Truck and Bodie)
*The boys connected with Cole and really enjoyed time with him and Kara formed a nearly instant bond with Reece.
*As I was keeping an extremely social 7 yr old away from both the boys and the girls so they could get some good quality time in together, he was a loose-ish cannon. Oh my, he seemed to become a spider with about 8 hands creeping around!
*Jennifer has a great eye for design. Their home is a delight.
After farewelling the delightful Christian family, we checked into our airport motel, then raced over to hand in our rental car. We got a taxi back to the motel and turned in immediately. We slept in our day clothes ready for a 6 am taxi pickup to the airport.
21st-
We breathed a huge sigh of relief that we weren't delayed and that our flight wasn't cancelled like so many others due to bad weather.
We were so excited to all be sitting together for the first time. Then as we boarded, our boarding passes were taken off us and a voice came over the loudspeaker saying: 'Sit wherever you like.'
This is where being the last people to board ( due to our tickets) had us at a wee disadvantage. We were spread all over the place! Though people shifted so the 4 kids were close to each other. It was a really tough flight as we had 2 takeoffs and 2 descents with a 7!year old who had an already sore ear. The last descent was particularly horrible for him.
On our arrival, Donna our AirBNB host in DC was at the airport to pick us up. Maryland is a stunning area. The homes in this area are like from a movie. Donna showed us around the neighbourhood and then around her home. We are in a gorgeous BNB for $60 a night with free range on the fridge, the cereal larder, the drinks fridge, the pantry.....
We have three rooms, a stunning bathroom; a games room with pool table and foozball machine.
Donna is our free taxi to and from the closest big metro station. It is a mind boggling thing really!! She is lovely, artistic and world travelled. Her 3 cats are sweet too.
After having the tour of her home, we got some takeaway, played some rounds in the games room and then had a well-deserved chill!
Over and out! Tomorrow: the Smithsonian!
- comments
Dana Sunshine Handy and the fun never stops!! So glad Flynn got some help for the ear infection. Poor guy. Have an awesome time. The Smithsonian is overwhelming. SO MUCH TO SEE AND DO. You will be bumfuzzled!!!
Michelle I hope the kids get a little more excited about it when they get there!! :)