Pictures Speak a 1000 words

So we are trying again for the passports this week. Hopefully, since we will be more prepared this time around, things will go a little more smoothly. I hope.

But during the picture taking process, LMA was of course a little silly. After every single picture, he would ask, "Can I see it, Mom?" For whatever reason, I was trying to capture the perfect one. Alas, a passport photo for a child does NOT need to be perfect, nor will it ever be for that matter. But these ones? Let's just say, pictures really do speak a 1000 words.

Reached my limit

I know sometimes parents, especially stay-at-home moms and dads, reach a certain point where they really can't go any further. When we reach our threshold for maximum whining, yelling, hitting (done by children to their siblings), housework, etc, etc. Shoot, even if you are not a parent, there just comes a time when you say, "Enough!"

Well, I've officially reached that. Last week, while trying to get the passports for the boys, I decided I needed to get away. Between hubby kidding around about living in 80 degree weather every single day (I still love you, dear.), LMA wanting nothing more than his daddy to come home, and not knowing what BBZ wants from day to day, I'm officially done. My run away destination? New York to see my awesome aunt, Wenderina, and my talented uncle, Carl.

Although most of the time that I was away from home involved traveling by train to NY and also traveling by car to a great retreat from the snow, it was nice to get away. I would definitely travel via train to NY again, but this time I would make sure to stay for a few more days.

Carl and I traveled to the J. L. Popp, Jr. Butterfly Conservatory just outside of Binghamton, NY. It was a long 3 hour drive and we were a little nervous that it was closed once we arrived, but it was like finding an oasis in the middle of the cold winter's day in NY. Here are a few of the pics that I took that day.

We were a little rushed to get back for a dinner party for Wenderina and Carl (I stayed at home and tried to catch up on my reading). We were only there for an hour and a half, but I would definitely go back again. It's amazing how many birds and butterflies, and reptiles were in such a small space, and it was REALLY nice to be able to have the place to ourselves. It made moving around the lizard on the floor, sitting in the middle of the pathway to take a picture of an oncoming tortoise, and following the hummingbirds around (or was he following me?) a lot easier.

Thank you both for letting me "run away from home" for 36 hours. It was exactly what I needed.