family-friendly fun.

as much as i love family coming into town, i am almost just as excited for my life to return to normalcy. this past weekend was crazy busy with way too much crammed into a 48 hour period – oh the drama. although i’m now fully recuperated…last night’s veg session of tivo’d oscars did the trick…i think i’ll stick to sharing just the highlights.

friday 02/23

stephen’s family came in mid-day as sarah had a 2pm interview at inova fairfax hospital. she just recently graduated college is looking to get certified as a child life specialist…who knew it was such a involved process of internships, fellowships and certification exams? anyway the interview went well, and she’s hopeful in her application.

later that evening, stephen, sarah and i all went out with some of my "book club girls" and their husbands to a fabulous restaurant down by mcpherson square - lima. it was absolutely amazing… well surpassing my expectations – food, atmosphere and service were all excellent. i am hardly one to frequent a restaurant twice, but this one is a definite favorite on my list!

afterwards, we scooted off to the opening night of amazing grace. if you haven’t gone and seen this movie, YOU MUST. not only a powerful testimony to the impact one man can make, but it was supremely well done. AND, it stars my crush – ioan gruffudd. let’s just say i’m slightly, ok majorly, obsessed. :)

saturday 02/24

the day started off slow. i got up early to run some errands around pentagon city – i'm still amazed at just how close everything now is since our move. anyway, returned home 90 mins later to find the apt still slowly rising. around 2pm, everyone had dressed and joe and elaine had come over. it was such a beautiful winter day – crisp air and blue skies – that we decided to take a little nature walk to the nearby roosevelt island. only about a mile from our apt, we were there in no time, admiring teddy’s looming statue and reading his stone-chiseled words circling his memorial. apparently he was quite the prolific writer, penning over 150,000 letters in his lifetime.

we returned to rosslyn with growling tummies, but a stop at red, hot and blue stuffed us full. by that time, my mom had landed at dulles, checked in the hotel and stood waiting for us back at the apt…just in time for our 5pm pampering session at newly opened solarus spa! oh how i love being a girl. we spent the next 2+ hours beautifying ourselves through manicures, pedicures and facials. the night ended on a relaxing note, cozied up to the fire, watching my recent chick flick netflix – the break-up.

sunday 02/25

too bad it wasn’t a monday because it would have been a perfect snow day. the snowflakes fell with grace and beauty, covering everything with a pristine white glow. it would have been a great day to build snowmen in the yard, make snowangels on the mall, or go sledding in rock creek park. but no, my mother was determined to shop – at the leesburg outlets nonetheless!

so sarah, elaine and i piled in her rental car while she braved the winter wonderland, traveling 30+ miles due west to the shopping mecca of northern virginia. i was impressed with her driving skills, and the fact that she managed to strategically place our car behind the herd of snowplows barreling down route 7 (no joke, there were 5 of them!). well, after taking us twice as long as usual, we arrived…to an dead-empty mall. fortunately for us all the stores were still open, and we shopped till we dropped. lucky me got a pair of beautiful cole haan heels and a lovely camisole out of the adventure.

we returned home to pick up the boys and head out to dinner, once again. this time at nage restaruant to celebrate family, stephen's birthday and new job. although not as spectacular as lima, this place was still a winner – delicious food and attentive service! we returned home to enjoy a good old-fashion snowball fight, some bday cake and watching stephen open (and model) his gifts. he even enterntained us with some of his infamous dance moves...oh boy.

family-friendly fun, for sure ;)