Easter 2009 far exceeded any expectation I had! I was ready with the usual pretty dresses, hats (I guess Easter bonnets is more appropriate!) baskets and goodies. We had all that, but then Brent landed us Easter Egg Roll tickets at the White House and the game changed! I was definitely more excited than Allison! We got up very early, as Alli would say, "we were up before Mr. Sun!" and drove to Brent's cousin's house. This is where we picked up the rest of our gang--Wendy, Alex and Stephanie. We headed to Brent's office to park the car and walk to the White House. I decided not to take Allison's stroller. I knew it would be a struggle to keep her in it and what a hassle pushing it around the lawn. And like every other good American, I couldn't do that to the President's yard, how rude! :) We got into line around 7:15--they weaved us around like Disney. You know where you go up and down aisles but really don't make any progress, but you think you are because you are moving?!? Then we went through security--they went through everything and rightfully so, even my wallet--like where the greenbacks are. I made a joke to the officer and asked if they were going to count my change--got a dismissive look and quickly realized not funny. Then we were off to a group waiting area--felt like cattle being herded!
Finally around 8:05 in the AM, we were in!! We had mapped out our visit--we had timed tickets and only had two hours. Had to make the most of it! First things first was the dance stage. The Imagination Movers really got Alli dancing. She had SOO much fun. This is also when I pressed some weird button on my camera and it highlighted the green. Weird. Good for St. Pat's but not this!
Then Mommy wanted to go to story time. Not because the whole reading thing but because of the reader! Yummy Josh Dumeil (?sp) from Vegas and previously All My Chilldren. I honestly don't remember what story he read, I just sat there and enjoyed the yummy eye candy. I know Allison tried numerous times to leave, to which I told her to "Listen to Josh, I mean the story......". After that we headed over to color our Easter Egg. That was a lot of fun--Allison managed to spill her dye all over her jacket, and me for that matter. Next I wanted to head to the Easter Egg Roll. After sizing up the line, there was no way my toddler could hang with it. So, I quickly told Allison to put her egg down and start rolling it as fast as she could. There. My child rolled an Easter Egg on the White House Lawn. Mission accomplished.
Next, we hit the craft area. We made a princess crown, jump rope and Allison created some-don't-really-know-what -to-call- it thing out of an egg crate. It was cool, they just put a bunch of art supplies down and let kids make whatever they wanted. And she did!
Allison asked to get her face painted. My heart sank as I looked at the line that stretched for at least 75 people deep. I told her we would have to stay in the line a long time but we could do it if she really wanted to. Such a trooper we were in line for about 40 minutes. ((Put a wrench into my other plans, but oh well, it's what she wanted!!)) She ended up getting a bunny on her cheek. She mentioned to me that Barack Obama will have her over again for more bunnies on her cheeks. Hope so.
While we were in line for face painting we got to boogie down to Fergie, also known as Josh's wife. Allison still talks about dancing to Fergie!
Once our time was up we left the lawn and got our wooden egg and then it was back to the office. We hung out with Daddy for a little bit, had a snack and then out to lunch with Wendy, Alex and Stephanie. We got home around 1 pm, Allison went straight to bed and slept until 5 pm. Yup, 5 pm.
It was an awesome morning and what an opportunity for her! And Mommy, I mean Josh Dumeil, come on! :)
