a very long week

This was a very long week busy with new adventures each day and a jam-packed schedule that left me exhausted by Sunday.

On Wednesday we decided at the last minute to tag along with Grandpa on a business trip to Washington, D.C. He was staying at the Marriott about 2 blocks from the Smithsonian National Zoo. It made sense to go because for the last two and a half years I had been waiting and wanting to take Ava there to see the Giant Pandas. Her Aunt Jill is in love with Pandas and shares all of her Panda stuffed animals with Ava and in turn Ava has grown fond of them as well.

The weather was beautiful and I didn't have work on Thursday so we packed our bags and in 30 minutes we were out the door and on our way down to D.C with Grandma & Grandpa.

Ava is always excited to go on vacation. She is so flexible when it comes to traveling and loves to get away for a day or two just as much as I do. She loves staying in hotels now because I always bring her toy tent for her to sleep in. Ava took a liking to Melissa, my dad's associate, and even told her the few Chinese words she knows over dinner. Apparently her enunciation is just perfect! (thanks Ni Hao Kai-Lan).

So again, it made sense to go. Ava's first trip to the zoo was such a great time and it was also my first trip to that particular Zoo. The both of us were really looking forward to the Panda Exhibit.

On Thursday we got to the zoo early and checked out the Big Cats first. The lions and tigers were very lazy this morning under the overcast sky. But Ava still enjoyed looking at them.

After the cats and a few other animals we tried to take a peek at the meerkats but they all retreated into their dens when a sprinkle of rain came through. So we headed down to check out the ocean exhibit since the aquarium is always a hit with Ava. She wasn't impressed, however, she was thinking more about a nap.

The turtles, of course, perked her up. Everywhere you looked there were turtles sunning themselves on the rocks, logs, leaves, everything.

The elephants were also a hit. We sat and watched them for a short while. The Asian Elephant exhibit is currently under construction to create a bigger and better place for the elephants to roam called Elephant Trails. It looks like something we might have to come back for another visit to check out when it's complete.

After the elephants we managed to make our way to the Giant Panda exhibit at the perfect time. The 4 year old Tai Shan was out playing and decided to climb the tree right in front of us. We headed to the upper observation deck as quick as we could to see if we could get a better look through the leaves and were pleasantly surprised. Tai Shan was sitting perfectly checking out all of the visitors who were snapping away pictures.

He was such a ham and Ava got a real big kick out of the panda. She sat and watched him in the tree for a good half hour before he decided to climb down and look for food.

After the zoo we headed south to Virginia for Dinner at The Chart House on the water in Alexandria before heading home. Ava enjoyed watching the steamboat out the window as it loaded it's passengers and prepared for a sunset cruise.

She had a great time.

On Friday we enjoyed some time outside in the beautiful weather and I realized how tall Ava has grown as she made silly faces at me.

On Saturday we had a birthday dinner out for Frank's mom at La Piazza, her favorite restaurant. Afterward we went back to their house for cake and Ava was pleasantly spoiled with presents from Mickey Mouse as Frank's parents just returned from their trip to Disney. Of course we also played with Rocky, Ava's favorite "pup."

Her New Tink Suit and Nemo sand pail

Frank loving Rocky up.

On Sunday we enjoyed Mothers Day with an afternoon at Sayen Gardens for the Annual Azalea Festival with Grandma, Frank & Uncle Andy. Pictures of which I unfortunately lost. But when we returned home we went for a walk with Uncle Andy and have a few photos to remember the day.