Happy Father's Day!

Father's day was special at Casa Booker. It started with presents.....a shout out from last year's homemade gift to this year.....

A birdhouse! Yeah! It was all purple and she painted it herself. She did such a good job, next the other presents. Brent got two shorts, two hats, a shirt and a book. There was a surprise of pics of Allison and Allison and me. Those haven't been shared with other family members so no posts of those...yet.


Next it was Pepaw's turn. A special thanks to Allison's teachers for making an extra gift!



And our big finale was BREAKFAST IN BED! YEAH!


I served them breakfast tacos and fruit salad with homemade granola and drinks. Allison opted for her french toast. Per usual. This was my yummy breakfast. A standard in my house--homemade oatmeal with banana, blueberries and peanut butter. Just enough to stick to ribs and get you through the morning!


Here's to the Dad's! Love you all!

Happy Birthday Pepaw !

Brent's Dad, Carl arrived Friday night for a weekend trip. He splits his time ((EQUALLY) between his three sons. Someone somewhere I guess keeps track.....We had the second shift after he spent some time in Richmond. Which by the way my nephew, John is now on to middle school AND he has a girlfriend. Oh the pain.
Carl arrived and we were off to dinner. Friday night, I don't cook. Never have, never will. I hope. We headed out to Bonefish. I really like that restaurant. I feel like they have some really healthy options and not everything is so heavy and slow to digest. ((You know that bloated feeling you get, that's what I mean by heavy and slow to digest!)). I totally hinted that it was Carl's birthday but in his typical absent minded way when the waitress asked if he would prefer something in chocolate, he responds with, "Well, no, that's okay, I don't do chocolate". I quickly chimed in with, "well you will tonight!" Seriously? Who "doesn't do chocolate"?? The absent minded part is also said with much love and respect. :)
Saturday morning was the Booker's favorite locale, THE WATER MINE! We were once again super impressed with Allison's growing confidence of swimming and just playing in the water. After that it was home for lunch and you guessed it, nap time! Then we got dressed for dinner and headed out to Fairfax Corner to Uncle Julio's. Super annoyed that they don't post nutrition information, so I opted for fish tacos. Hold the guac, just kidding, pour it on! :)
Two margaritas each later, we walked over to the fountain to "check it out". I knew walking over to it, we were flirting with disaster. And I was right. We stood there looking at it and Allison looked at me and just very innocently said, "Mommy, what can I do?" With that, I told her to take off her shoes, no running, have fun and that we would watch from the sidelines. Then the joy of childhood began! I've never seen her so thrilled!


Then we headed over to listen to some live music. They reminded Brent and I of Dave Matthews Band, one of our faves. Allison decided to break it down in front of a crowd. I was shocked because she is usually so shy in that type of situation. Brent has some awesome video of it, that I hope to post. I kind of feel like we could win 10K with her mad skills. Here some still shots...doesn't do it it justice.




Sunday we hung out at the house and had lunch and then headed over to Steve and Misti's for dinner. I'm not ignoring the fact that it was in fact Father's Day but that's a different post.....
Here's the kiddos hanging out with their Pepaw!

Oh the things she says......

Friday morning Allison and I were scurrying out the door to get to work/school on time. Allison came across a thank you note that I had written to her teachers to thank them for going the extra mile with Allison on a project. She asked what it was, I explained it and then she replied with "Yeah, and Mommy, pause, ((hair flip)) we need to write my teachers at NO thank you note because I don't want to share my tattoos with any of my friends".

She doesn't miss a beat!

Day #5

The last day at the beach was a bit of a bust! Allison had slept with us that night, which equals no sleep for Mommy. I HATE when she sleeps with us, I don't sleep 1. because she moves and kicks A LOT and 2. because I'm afraid I'll crush her or suffocate her with pillows (I like lots and lots of pillows when sleeping). So I was definitely tired that morning. We trotted off to breakfast and during breakfast the heavens opened up again and it poured! We went back to our room and played a couple hands of go-fish (she won, hands down, and fair!) and then around 10 am, the clouds parted and the sun came out. Problem was that we needed o be ready to check out by 11.....
So no swimming for us on the last day. Then we packed the car and headed home. On the way home we needed to stop at my mom's to pick up Bailey. Thanks Mom for taking such good care of my "Lion King"! Then we were off to Gigi's house to say hello and pick up some much needed strawberry jam. It's homemade from Great Gigi and Allison L O V E S it!
The next morning was painful. Up at 5:30, yuck. It's such a dreadful hour. I was off to work that day, didn't have much PT mojo, so I was pretty laid back all day. We are back in action now and awaiting our next adventure. I'm still catching up on laundry!

Day #4

Last night was laid back..........we opted to go to Planet Pizza for dinner and get enough dinner for lunch today. Worked great--I got a vegetable pizza and Alli and Brent split a cheese. It was divine and better yet the three of us ate for about twenty bucks. Score us!
This morning Brent had to work, bummer, so Allison and I headed off to the Virginia Beach Aquarium. The entry was a little steep but come to find out admission was good all day, not that we would go back but it did help the sting a little. It was $27 bucks for us, I thought that was expensive.....

We got in to the Aquarium and got to touch horseshoe crabs, sea stars (once called starfish, Jacques Costeau changed that since they don't have air bladders like fish, trivial pursuit anyone?)and sand crabs. All very friendly, except Allison wasn't interested in touching them herself, she wanted to watch Mommy do it. I too wasn'tinterested, but I took one for the team and touched it.
Next we saw sharks, fish, and participated in many interactive displays. By far the best part. Oh and we saw Mommy touch sting rays. Couldn't help but think of Steve Irwin when we were given the "don't touch the tail" lecture from the attendants. I did touch one and it was gross. It kind of felt like wet moss, definite slime! Yuck, Allison did get some nerve up to touch one but they were swimming too low and she kept screaming and I mean screaming, "don't drop me in, Mommy!" Funny!



We walked over to another exhibit hall just in time for Toddler Tuesdays and story time. Yeah! We were able to catch a puppet show and a story. Smiles all around. Then we walked around that exhibit hall which was all about Marsh lands, again my mind wandered to the Gulf, so sad. Then we headed back to the hotel, heated up our lunch and then nap. AAHHH!! Allison fell asleep around 2 pm and I woke up about 2:30 or so and went for a run. Nothing like running on the boardwalk. It was very relaxing and I did my three miles in about a half an hour. Not too shabby. Brent and I are considering a 5K sometime this summer or fall. We tend to be injury prone in the Booker's so were are trying to be realistic! Tonight it's a dinner for Brent's work and then one more night and 1/2 day. Then, back to reality. But we get to do it all again in about a month!

Day #2 and #3 at the Beach

Last night for dinner we headed down to Waterman's. We waited for a table outside, it's so nice to eat at the beach, plus people watching is always a must-do!

For drinks I ordered the signature "Orange Crush", it was just pure alcohol--rum, triple sec and vodka with a splash and I mean splash of sprite and freshly squeezed orange juice.

It was good, but I'ma cheap date so I stuck to one. Brent had the "Waterman", bunch of rum, grenadine and cherry juice, it was good. For dinner I had the penne pasta with veggies and shrimp. Alli got mac n cheese (shocker) and Brent got a salad with a crabcake. For an appetizer we got hush puppies, we are still in search of the yummy hush puppies from Chesapeake Bay Seafood House, remember that place?? Yum!

I wish I would have asked for my sauce on the side, could have saved myself a few thousand calories, but it was good.

After dinner we were just chatting it up when Brent asked, "is that rain?" A million dollar question because it became a down pour!! We were under an awning but the wind was blowing and we were slowly but surely getting wet.
Allison and I headed inside only to find the coolest gift shop. It had toys for her to play with, thank you! and lots of cool jewelry for me to oogle at. Brent became our hero and picked us up after running to get the car. We weren't afraid of getting wet, but at this point we were dealing with thunder and lightning which isn't cool with a toddler. After being rescued, the sun came out and we headed out to Brent's work's hospitality hour. We met some new friends and then headed back to the hotel for what was supposed to be an early night. Not so much with Allison around. She finally went to sleep with Brent cradling her in her pull out bed around 9:30. I got to stretch out in the king size bed solo. AHH, so nice. I haven't slept so much on a family trip in years, about three!
This morning Brent had to work for a couple of hours so Allison and I rented a bike and went on "an adventure". I was a little nervous, it was the first time I had riden a bike with her on it.
((Another first!)) We rode for about two hours, up and down the boardwalk. We did stop three times, two for pictures and one to play on a playground. It was like Clemyjontri park on the beach, awesome. Lots of moms and kids to talk to. I was beginning to feel the heat and was getting quite drenched with sweat (gross!) and we headed back to the hotel for a quick snack and then a dip in the pool until we could meet up with Daddy again. After swimming for about an hour, we had lunch. Allison swam again hard for about an hour and then ate a ginormous lunch! She fell asleep in my bed, hey, I thought that was just for me!, and slept for about 2 1/2 hours, unheard of..........she slept until 7:15 this morning. I told Brent we have to move to the beach, she sleeps here! We are all just now waking up from our naps, having a snack and getting organized for more fun in the sun. OH such decisions, pool ? beach ? This is getting difficult!

Water Baby

Well, we are here and lovin' life at the beach. I forgot the cord to upload pictures from our camera. Ugh, I keep telling myself that I want one of those "wireless" memory cards that just uploads to your laptop directly. Hint, birthday is a comin'! So far we have tackled the pool, beach and the boardwalk. We arrived yesterday and immediately went to the pool. Allison adorned her swim vest and took her noodle and she was off. The swim noodle gave her just enough confidence and bouyancy to keep her head up. Brent and I have figured out why she refuses to go under water.......she would have to close her mouth and stop talking, and that's not going to happen. While we were swimming, she decided to play "Finding Nemo". I didn't catch on to the play and I referred to her as Allison. You know her given name, well, shame on Mommy! She looked at me frantically swimming and talking with her head kept out of the water and proclaimed, "I'm....not...Allison, (gasp)....my...name...is..Marlon...you're...Dorrie....overcome....your memory loss...and help..........me....find...my son. We.....(gasp)....are....off....to...the...dropoff." Okay, I just went with it. It was fun and I really enjoy her imaginary play.

We had another first yesterday--first SNOW CONE! The hotel has snacks by the pool everyday at 3 pm. That's pretty cool.

Today we got up and headed down for a free breakfast. I thought it would be super lame and what would we do for a "real" breakfast. I was pleasantly surpised to find eggs, sausage, baked goods, cereal, fruit and yogurt. We were able to appeal to all appetites! After breakfast, we headed down on a walk on the boardwalk. Brent and I both were wondering why there were so many families down here. School hasn't let out for most schools in Va, but seriously there's a lot of families down here. Which is great, don't get me wrong. Today we figured out why.....it's the National Sand Soccer Championship. Of course! We stopped by a couple of games to check it out. Pretty impressive, but I have to say the PT in me cringed at the very high possibility of ACL tears. Seriously, planting your foot in sand and trying to dribble the ball, recipe for disaster. They make "sand socks", pretty cool. There were tons of people and lots of vendors. Then we were off the beach. Met a nice couple on the beach and played in the sand. We worked on Pop-Pop's sand castle but no luck with getting anything done on it. Maybe tomorrow. After the beach, time for the pool. Then lunch, bath, and bed. Love the beach schedule! We headed back down to the pool for Sunday Sundaes at 3, too fun. Only my child would offer up her sundae to eat a hard boiled egg instead. Brent just shook his head. Now, we are thinking early dinner and then maybe the boardwalk. I have some sort of foot injury--beginning to wonder if I have a stress fracture so Allison may get bumped out of her stroller. The only supportive shoe I have is a sneaker and the rest are all flip-flops. Of course.

Beach or Bust

Okay, I was off to a good start with our family blog. I do have one post pending on my cooking-I took on Chicken Bryan from Carrabras and won! I'll share the story when we get back from the BEACH! Woot, woot!
We are piggy backing on one of Brent's business trips this weekend and are off to Va Beach. So excited. I actually have been packed and ready since Wednesday. We are hoping to hit the aquarium, beach, pool, Mt. Trashmore and just some good ol R&R.

Check ya later.

Whew, what a weekend!

Monday did not disappoint! We had a wonderful day! The Booker and The Wright clan converged for dinner and a cookout and a soon-to-be water fight!
The day started off right with a trip to the Water Mine. I forgot my camera, but I honestly don't know how or when I would be able to taken any pictures. Allison really liked it and we had such good time! There was a little hesitation when we were getting ready to leave--of course! But as we were walking out to the car I was assuring Allison that we will be able to go there all summer long and she responded with, "Good Mommy! I really think I'll like it here this summer!".
Next, we tackled naps--a common theme this weekend--and then the cookout. We decided to keep it simple and do traditional cook out foods. I added my own little twists here and there! Our menu was hot dogs/hamburgers, chicken, tortellini pasta salad, sweet potato fries, baked beans, salad, chips, brownies and cake. Not too shabby!


Brent had a grilling mishap with the hot dogs......so sad. They were so full of nitrates and processed god-knows-what. No wonder they burn up like kindling. I wasn't bothered by their demise!

And Bob, obviously had a wonderful time. I mean look at him!

We did manage to get a group shot of the kiddos. I can't believe how big everyone is getting!


Last but not least the water fight. It started out as a sneak attack by Natalie and Uncle Steve on all of the kids. Didn't work out that way and there were no prisoners. All efforts shifted into getting Uncle Steve at all costs. Buckets were tossed, hoses were used. We had no shame. Everyone had a good time and left with a dry change of clothes........