The Real Housewife of DC: Spring Break through the South: Part One

On Palm Sunday, the girls and I headed south to Columbia, South Carolina to start Elizabeth's spring break. We took a nine-day-trip through the south where we saw lots of friends and family and made memories that will last a life time. Ben had to work part of the week, so he flew into Atlanta at the end of the week to meet us for the last part of the trip.

First stop, the welcome center in North Carolina.

Elizabeth wanted a picture with the Wright Brothers. :)

After this picture, we had a problem. The kindles would not restart the movies the girls had been watching and I spent 30 minutes trying to fix the kindles. Unfortunately I couldn't get them to restart and we headed on our way 40 minutes after we stopped (and without movies to watch).

About 30 minutes later, we ran into a two-mile backup due to an accident. It took one hour to go the two miles and once we passed it we all needed a break from the car. We grabbed gas and lunch and then finished our drive to Columbia. We arrived about 2:30pm on Sunday afternoon and spent the afternoon playing in the backyard (the girls) and unloading the car (me).

Sunday night after bath time, Stacy read everyone a few good books

(BTW - I love this picture, I think it's so sweet)

Monday morning we headed to Cottle Strawberry Farm to pick strawberries. The kids (and moms) had a great time and we left with three gallons of strawberries!

Trying to get kids to smile while facing the sun...

Caroline wanted me to pick the strawberries

and then hand them to her to put in her bucket. :)

Love these girls! And I love this picture :)

After the farm, we ran by Publix. We came home for lunch and I had to grab

a photo of what feeding six kids looks like (hint- parents eat in the dining room)

After lunch, Caroline was all about swinging

After JP's nap, we headed to the Carolina Children's Garden. Stacy talks about this place all the time so I was excited to see it in person and take my girls. We stayed for a little over and hour and the kids climbed on everything, picked up caterpillars, avoided bees, and played in the dirt. It was a great way to spend the afternoon and I look forward to another visit in the future.

All of these girls were fast friends

Climbing on trees and picking up caterpillars

On Tuesday we had BIG plans- the Riverbanks Zoo in the morning with the kids and a Mom's night out that night. The day was long and busy but great!! The zoo looks completely different from when I was in college and is completely awesome! The girls and I had such a great time and tried so many new things. Thank you to Stacy and Dana for taking us to the zoo and showing us around AND for a great night out on Tuesday. Also, thank you Paul for keeping the girls and getting Caroline to go to sleep. :)

Everyone trying to climb the statue for the picture.

Part of the group...

6 out of 7 kids, pretty good :)

The tiger was on the prowl

All the koala bears were sleeping

Heath was excited to feed the birds!

And Caroline too!

Elizabeth was a little nervous so she put her food on the trash can

Caroline was fearless :)

Next up was the carousel

I had to get a picture of this, Ruthie and Heath held hands all morning

It was so cute!

Stacy and all the kids fit in one train car :)

Hi Caroline!

Then it was time to ride the ponies!!

Caroline just made the height cutoff and was over the moon to ride her first pony!

You can't see it, but she has a huge smile :)

Then it was Elizabeth's turn

See that smile?

After the pony rides we saw a few more animals and then went to feed the giraffes. Well everyone in Columbia was in line to feed the giraffes so we just went up to see them.