Back From the Road Trip...

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Well... I'm back. Don't get me wrong, I am so glad to be home. I just wish my friend was here with me so we could grab a coffee together and chat about nothing just like we did in Virginia.

We were packed up and ready to head out on that last morning in Virginia. We dropped her boys off at school, and decided to stop one last time at the coffee shop. Her friends at the shop must have thought we were a bit kooky because when they asked ,"How long are you here for?" We both started to cry! In the coffee shop! In the middle of town! I really am glad to be home, but like I said, I just wish I could have brought her back with me...Ugh!

(My) Five Reasons to Visit Woodstock, Virginia




5. Three French Hens~Can you see the smile on my face? That is because I am back at this shop! I am in LOVE with the Three French Hens Shop. They have antiques mixed in with girly things and funky pieces-just so unique. With my three boys and my friend's two boys, we didn't do much shopping. However, I did insist on going here. This is my favorite place in Woodstock. You don't see the boys in the picture here, do you? That would be because we popped in a video in the car so we could look without instituting the "If you break it, you buy it" issue that would come up if they were with us... Yes, we took turns in the car all those that have that "worried about kids alone in a car" look on your face. Wipe it off now-they were fine! If I am buying it, I want to choose it-not my boys. Call me quirky...



4. The roller rink/ bumper car/ video games/laser tag/ rock wall/ ball pit/ maze place. I don't know the name of it, but this is the place to visit if you are in Woodstock and you have children. I promise you will have a few hours of uninterrupted time to talk with your friend. The boys are in Little Boy Heaven here. Maybe that is the name of it-Little Boy Heaven...

3. Watching my boys play with their best friends. When we were is Disney, I said to my oldest son, "Is this the best vacation, or what?" He replied, "I am having fun, but my favorite place is with my friend." Just watching them interact is priceless! They all had missed each other so much. I guess this one is bittersweet-It also makes us realize how much they miss each other, too... They move in a small pack from one activity to another-cars, basketball, scooters, Legos, X-Box~and then around the circuit again.

2. Celebrating all the boys birthdays. Since we only see each other a few times each year (if we are lucky), we decided to celebrate with one big birthday party...with cupcakes and gifts. (I was the lame-0 who bought matching shirts for all five boys as birthday presents...I was a hit with my friend, at least!)
You all know about my (lacking) cooking abilities. I surround myself with good cooks-and my dear friend never disappoints! Check out her cupcakes:

Her new home has an amazing kitchen. I would like to believe if that kitchen was mine, I also would be a good cook... (Hey! I can always dream!)




1. Of course my number one favorite thing about this road trip was all the time with my friend. Having coffee, talking, reading magazines together and talking fashion and make-up, watching movies, and even doing the dishes, and laundry together! It is just BEING together. We always say that this is what we miss the most-the "BEING."

Itchy Baby was just glad to go along this time-usually, he has stayed home with Tin Man. He had so much fun being included with the big boys this time. I am pretty sure it wasn't a sugar high:

He was the only one with a happy face on the way home. The rest of us needed some time to cry, so we figured Itchy Baby could drive:

There was ONE good thing waiting for us at home:
Tin Man. He makes life in Michigan (without our friends) enjoyable for all of us to come home to.
(Thank You for the best Valentine's Day gift ever, Tinny. Oh. And please ignore the bill from American Express. I swear, I don't know WHO would charge that much at a store called the THREE FRENCH HENS. Never heard of it...)