No one was looking forward to our last vacation more than I was. Sesame Place, Philadelphia and Dutch Amish Country - I had been dreaming of this vacation since we first introduced Elmo to the girls at 6 months old. We got an amazing deal thanks to a friend at work who got us half off of our entire package - a 5 day vacation for 7 at under $500 - we truly don't deserve it but we accepted it! I took a few days off from work and we headed off into the sunset with grand plans for fun, sun and relaxation at Sesame Place. We spent our first day there with some unusually cranky kids and found out why the next morning - the stomach bug hit Ellie and I with full force. It didn't take long for Molly, Annie and Peter to get it. So, all you Moms out there know what happens when the Mom and organizer of the vacation is suddenly incapacitated right? Everything falls apart! And by falling apart I mean figuring out what to feed the kids for breakfast was a brain teaser for Bob until I reminded him of the FREE breakfast in the lobby that we had already experienced 2 days previously! You see where I'm going with this. Poor Bob was the only one not feeling like garbage and he tried his very best to keep the spirits up of the well kids while caring for the sick Mom and kids. My bug seemed to last much longer and be more intense - probably because I am a WIMP about stomach bugs!
We did end up having a memorable trip with some very fun family moments and no matter what we were together and you can't beat that! As soon as we got home from vacation I headed off on the longest business trip I have taken since Peter was born - a whole 3 nights away from home in Washington, DC. It was a double header with a day and half of "HIV and oral healthcare" and a day and a half of "Healthcare for the Homeless". The 2nd conference was amazing and the work being done in this field was simply awe inspiring. I am very careful that whenever I leave the kids for a period of time it is for something that I consider worthwhile and these 2 conferences defintely qualified. I learned so much and got to meet people who are literally changing the world! I ached to be with the kids especially at night. I missed Peter's constant chatter and warm morning hugs just for Mommy. I missed Molly's "girl talk" with me and her constant smiles and helpfulness. I missed Annie's morning snuggles and incessant chatter about life and her take on it, I missed Elizabeth's sweet baby smiles and excitement over just about everything and I missed Ellie Bean's "Mornin, Mama!" with her quick wave and her happy dance! I have beautiful, bright, warm and loving kids and that is never more clear to me than when I am away for a while and come home - I am a lucky Mom!
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Day One at Sesame Place - The Count's Castle!
Ellie did not know what to make of the wading pools!
Annie Bananie was SO excited to finally be at Sesame Place.
The BEST big sister ever!
Headed to the pool!
Are our girls gorgeous or what?
Love that smile!
My sweet angel!
Pouty face!
Molly and Ellie were the only 2 who wanted to go near Cookie Monster after waiting so long to come and see him!
Ellie was loving the surprise sprinklers that came out of the pool!
Annie was not feeling 100% but she was still such a joy to be with!
Ernie with the big kids - we had so much fun at the character lunch!
Annie kissing Bert!
Everyone but Lizzie was loving Bert! He was a favorite!
Ellie giving Bert a hug!
Annie giving Bert a hug!
Zoe finally got Lizzie to get near her - that was a first!
Zoe and the big kids!
Pasta face - my beautiful girl!
Big Bird was HUGE!
Molly and Elmo hugging!
Lizzie fell in love with Elmo - she would not stop hugging him!
Our girls with Elmo!
Elmo took to Ellie because she danced so much and was wearing an Elmo shirt all day!
Molly and cookie monster!
Hugs!
Ellie giving high fives!
Harding - Wheeler hugs for Cookie Monster!
My girls and Cookie Monster!
We made Peter get in the picture - you can see how happy he was about it!
Dancing with Elmo!
Annie dancing!
Lizzie was loving running around the Elmo plants!
Trying to win a prize at the ring toss!
Daddy and Molly going on the double slide!
Tired girls!
The Elmo fish!
Molly was so excited to take Lizzie by herself on the ride!
Doesn't Pete look thrilled!
Pete's picture of a bug!
Waiting for the parade!
Annie was starting to feel pretty bad by this point but she was a trooper!
Tired kids looking for the parade!
Best seat in the house!
She takes my breath away!
Ellie loved the horsey rides!
Ready for bed! Sure!
My beautiful babies sleeping! I got a picture of everyone but Peter who covers his head and won't let me lift up the covers!
Lizzie!
Annie and her Baby!
Ellie Bean
Annie loved the Alice in Wonderland section of the Please Touch Museum!
Tea Party
Peter and Mommy!
Molly's turn as Alice.
Molly and the Mad Hatter
Lizzie making tea!
Driving the boat - this was a favorite!
The baby girls loved riding the goose!
Not sure how we got these 2 on the cow together!
Buggy on the goose!
Annie loved the cow! You could also milk it - pretty cool!
Everyone piled in the boat!
The doll hospital was everyone's favorite!
Dr. Harding - Wheeler checking out the x-rays!
Even Peter got in on the action at the baby hospital!
Molly thought the x-rays were so cool!
Lizzie loving on her baby!
Thene they became chefs!
Daddy was a cashier for Lizzie while she shopped!
Annie did not want to deal with me! She was busy making bread!
Ellie riding the truck!
Love this picture of molly - so cute!
Riding the carosel!
Peter would not get on a horse - he is simply too old!
Ellie loves the horsey's! So cute!
Playing music!
Headed to the water table!
Molly loved the piano that she could play with her feet!
Prettiest statues of liberties I have ever seen!
Everyone thought Lizzie and Annie were twins - this picture shows just how much they look alike!
Lizzie and Daddy!
Ellie riding the metro!
Picnic in the garden!
Annie in her self propelled car!
Ellie loved the legos - we never realized that she liked them!
Lizzie found the cookie monsters in the gift shop!
The kids loved the little area outside the museum - they had so much fun!
Lizzie having a heart to heart with Cookie Monster!
Taking a rest!
My five gorgeous kids! We are SO blessed!
About 5 minutes after this picture Ellie and I started feeling gross and within an hour we were sick to our stomachs! We ended the trip early and headed home when the entire family got sick and we decided to cut our losses! All in all a trip filled with memories that we will never forget!
GNM - ILY!
