Visiting "Our" Tree

Between Christmas and New Years, we decided to celebrate Little Bird's 8th birthday a little early by heading down to Tyson's Corner for a quick stay in a hotel with a pool.  We got a great price ($89) for a room with the fun of witnessing hundreds of teenage girls swarm at their first meet-and-greet with Youtube icons.  Joy.  (Actually, it was hilarious to see them scream and run at any supposed sighting.)  Before we checked into our room, we spent some time over at the mall at the American Girl store so that their dolls could get their hair done and ears pierced ($60 for the whole deal - not terrible, but G couldn't believe it).  Then, we headed down to the quintessential tweener heaven so that both girls could get their own ears pierced!  The youngest went first and didn't flinch; then big sis went and didn't do too badly either.


Since Tyson's Corner is only about 22 minutes from DC and the weather was a lovely 50 degrees (for December), we decided to head downtown to get some grub and see the National Christmas Tree.

Although we likely could have found street parking had we looked longer, we decided to park under the famous Willard -- $17 for the first two hours; $21 after that.  This may seem exorbitant, but one should expect at least that much in DC - and this was valet!  We made our way upstairs to the Willard lobby - wow.  They really know how to celebrate the holiday!  There was a beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby and decorations galore.  G asked why we didn't stay there . . . I asked if he had an additional four hunny for the night . . . He was satisfied with my choice.

We walked north to see if we could get a table at the Old Ebbitt Grill, but even at 3:30 on a Saturday, there was an hour wait.  Another time.  The place was packed and the Nutcrackers outside were getting their fair share of photo ops.  The girls were too grumpy to stand still long enough for me to get their pic, so we headed even farther north and found Woodward Table on the corner of H and 15th.  Since we were there between lunch and dinner, we had to settle for the bar menu, but they had a great kids' menu, nonetheless, and G and I really enjoyed our meals of a huge burger and crab/artichoke pizza.  (SG had a huge kid's steak/fries and Sylv had yummy cheese pizza.)  The price was a bit on the high side - again, expected, but we really enjoyed our streetside seats and the beautiful decor. 
After linner, we headed southeast to the White House.  The crowds on the street were incredible!  So many out to enjoy the weather, I suppose.  We walked up to find our "first" protest - Iraqi-Americans protesting Maliki for a recent bombing/civilian slaughter.  

The girls were captivated with the chanting, signs, and flags.  It was very moving.  We got some pix right in front of the place (G commented on how he couldn't believe how close we were allowed to be), then we headed west and south again to make our way to the tree.  The crowds increased as we made our way down to a surprisingly small evergreen surrounded by gates and train sets.

 We walked up to the innermost gate at about 4:50 p.m. and the lights came on just a few minutes later.  It was kind of magical to be right there at that moment, and the crowd ooh'ed and ah'ed right on cue. 

The girls tried to throw pennies into the circling trains, and we found our Maryland tree on the outskirts.  The quarter-scaffolded Washington Monument stood stoically to the south against the mellow sunset sky.  We headed back to our parking garage before it got too dark.  We awed at how the Willard's outside decorations were almost as beautiful as inside. 

6th Day of Christmas

On the sixth day of Christmas, Mama gave to us . . . a trip to Hanover, PA!  We met up with my dad and headed north to the hometown of our favorite Utz Potato Chips.  We ate a nice lunch at Dutch Country Restaurant, shopped a bit at Big Lots, and then headed a tad south of town for a quick visit to the Hanover Shoe Farms.  Anyone can visit the barns as they are open to the public during all daylight hours.  One of the handlers told us to come back in two weeks when the mamas we saw would start having their foals.  Since they have over three hundred mares, they start early!

On the way home, we were treated to some beautiful skies ~

glowing Harpers Ferry

4th & 5th Days of Christmas

On the fourth day of Christmas, poor SG got a trip to the dentist.  Apparently, the kid is "high risk" due to her infant issues with GERD.  According to Dr. Newman, the acid caused deep grooves in her molars, which are now filling very easily with little cavities.  So, yesterday she got another filling.  In any case, we highly recommend Dr. Newman's practice in the North End of Hagerstown for all your pediatric dentistry needs.

On the fifth day of Christmas, we spent over an hour with Grandma's gift to Sylvie making snap circuits!  Fun!  

 

It's hard to see, but the fifth day of Christmas brought us some snow flurries, too!  I think this is first snow we've seen since the freak Halloween storm.  

3rd Day of Christmas

On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me . . . a trip to West Virginia . . .

Yah, this is where blogging seems a bit, well, boring.  Not for me - I love to write about whatever - but for you, poor reader.  Alas, all we really did today was go out as a family (for once), eat, do an errand, and then grocery shop at Walmart, of all godforsaken places.  And then we came home, put away the groceries, made drinks (because we're on vacation - duh!), made dinner, and attempted to entertain our kids without too much effort on our parts . . .

So, the eating part -- we ate at Martinsburg's La Trattoria - the highest rated restaurant for that fair city on Tripadvisor.  Our young waiter Sebastian was a gracious gentleman, who catered to our every need -- want a meatball instead of meat sauce?  Sure, kid - not a problem.  Want french fries instead of salad or the yummy house Italian Marriage Soup?  Sure, sir - I'd be happy to.  Want me to heat up half that cake to make your girls happy while you get your cold cake and eat it, too?  No problem.  Seriously, the best little before-dinner rolls EVER.  We threw down two baskets-full before our steak-n-cheese paninis and spaghettis came.  The decor was - um, very peachy and Kelly green - but its location (on Rt. 9 just off Rt. 81 around the corner from the Girl Scout shop) and easy parking made up for that.  I think we'll do that joint again.

And the shopping part -- I thought G had made a wrong turn toward Hagerstown's Walmart instead of Martinsburg's, but, no, he was headed to Spring Mills.  I know - Walmart-talk on a blog.  Geez.  But seriously, of all Walmarts, this one is worth the chatter.  It's very new and very convenient and I always forget about it.  Apparently, so do a lot of people because it's never busy.  Love it.

And, finally, the child entertainment part:

They are making their "goal posters" -- SG hopes to sell at least 175 boxes and Sylvie hopes to sell 250 boxes . . . eeek!  Want to help??  Just let me know - Go, Girl Scout Cookies!  :)  (Latch hook work can be seen in the background . . . no, we haven't finished yet!)

On the 1st & 2nd Days of Christmas

 Truly He taught us to love one another, 

His law is love and His gospel is peace. 

Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.    
And in his name all oppression shall cease. 

O Holy Night, 1847  

On the first day of Christmas, Santa gave us . . . wayyyyyy too much stuff . . .

 and a visit from the Bussards and Grandma!

On the second day of Christmas, Santa gave to me a latch-hooking session with Mom.

Christmastime in Sandy Hook

These bikes (and a third unseen on the left) are an annual feature in downvillage Sandy Hook ~ yes, they are suspended with lights enveloping them

 While Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown get all the Yuletide attention, quiet Sandy Hook sits across the Potomac with her own festive appeal.  On my drive through today, I couldn't resist  getting a couple of shots of the fun.

The Sandy Hook Grocery's Tasmanian Tire ensemble - precious!

Christmas in Shepherdstown

We're lucky enough to live close to Shepherdstown, WV, a little town on the Potomac that knows how to bring people together.  Last night was their annual start to the Christmas season as well as the kick-off to their 250th town anniversary.  We usually go over the Friday evening after Thanksgiving to see the Grinch and then Santa.  Usually, Santa arrives on a fire engine, but this year he appeared out of nowhere and sauntered down to the mob scene at McMurran Hall.  Since we had positioned ourselves along the wall near the sidewalk, we were able to jump right to the front of the line this year and go in to see Santa and Mrs. Claus after a short wait.  The town was beautifully decorated this year with a huge campfire beside the Chinese restaurant, a roasted chestnut vendor in front of the library, and stunning displays in many shops.  After Santa's arrival, a choir walked around town caroling at storefronts, and musicians sat in the windows at the Sweet Shop and Mellow Moods to serenade the crowd.  We had eaten at Tony's before the festivities, but the Men's Club did have their chili and cornbread available as usual; we often eat there, but the girls really don't like chili much yet.  The town extends their festivities through today, tonight, and then next weekend again.