We had a great flight with plenty of turbulence to keep things exciting, just how we like it. Bug was a super flight champ. She loves flying just as much as I do. She chattered and exclaimed and was generally happy and delightful during the whole flight.

Here we are in the sun shining in from the airplane window. It was a pretty early flight so we got to experience dawn while sitting in the airplane waiting for it to take off. Good thing both Bug and I are morning people.

What can I say? We were warmly received. Even the weather hasn’t been cold! I might even say it’s the same temperature here that it is at home. What’s up East Coast?! I even brought my winter coat! I wanted to wear it for once in my life. Phooey.

That night, after the girls were in bed, Bethany and I stayed up and unpacked her kitchen. We somehow magically drank the perfect amount of coffee and alcohol and had a little party all by ourselves. I know I’m crazy but I think unpacking is FUN!

The next day we discovered Annalie’s GIANT backyard. Compared to our tiny patio it was like living on a estate. Grass and hills to run on and trees! Oh my! Bug was so happy.

But we had to cut that short because it was Bethany’s birthday and we had people to meet and things to do! First a birthday lunch with Bethany’s friends, who are all very sweet of course and then some pottery painting after that! That’s how Bethany rolls. She didn’t bake herself a cake though. We’ll have to amend that.

We are packed and we are ready to go. I can’t even believe it. I never have down time before a big trip. I’ve finished up all my freelance assignments that I had to do—such a weird feeling. I always have a deadline or two hanging over my head. Does anyone have any work for me? Just kidding, sort of. I think things will go smoothly while I’m gone. Knock knock on my wooden head. It’s really weird being ready early instead of running around mad like a chicken with her head cut off (that was me Monday).

Bug has asked me why we can’t just fly the airplane today about a zillion times. I think she thinks the hours and hours in the sky are going to be like some sort of loop-ti-loop fun game on Air Olivia. (Which I cannot find a link to no matter how hard I look. Does this one work? It wouldn’t work for me but then my laptop was born in 2003 and it’s sadly dying.)

I meant to put this post up this morning so you guys could tell me what I’m forgetting, because I’m sure I’m forgetting something but somehow the day got away from me and now I only have hours before we leave. Yaaaaaay! I’m so excited. Washington D.C I hope you’re ready for me. I can’t wait to update you on whatever adventures we have.

The most exciting adventure will be unpacking Bethany’s house I’m sure. They moved into the craziest house with lots of rooms all painted different colors. She even has a bar with a phone booth in her basement. I’m not even kidding. I’m planning on setting up a coffee shop there stat.

We took a road trip out to Palm Springs this past Friday. Bug and I needed some adventure and my mom and my nieces needed a day off from school. Well, my mom isn’t in school but she needed some time off from her full time job of playing Farmville all day. I swear she needs an intervention with that game.

Our first stop was the Cabazon Dinosaurs. I’d never been before so this was a real treat for me. However the wind that almost whipped my head off was not a real treat. I guess a mighty wind is better to deal with than 120 degrees of heat though.

The girls climbed around on the dinosaur claws and then we went inside the giftstore/museum to pet some freaky robot dinosaurs that growled and snarled at us. If the management wanted to, they could really make that tour scary. Add some mood lighting and haunted music and I’d be scared right out of my skin. Thankfully, it’s mostly geared to education with some gospel preaching on the side.

I really like how this museum tour is interactive with dinosaur bones to dig and colored rocks to sluice. The kids had a blast. I think it was worth the five dollar admission even with the wind that tied our hair up in knots.

I think the funnest part is staging crazy photos where the dinosaurs look real. Run Little Bug! Run!

Spring in the desert is always beautiful.

Of course we had to climb up inside the giant t-rex and sit in his mouth for a while. That was pretty fun.

By the time we were done with the dinosaurs we were famished so we drove into town and found a nice spot for a picnic.

Nothing like a yummy avocado sandwich! Except I put sprouts on my sandwich (no one else did) and I came down with food poisoning the next day. So even though this picnic was delightful I’m not remembering it that fondly now that I’ve lost ten pounds violently. But hey I fit my skinny jeans now!

The weather in Palm Springs was beautiful. I’m sure it’s because they have that great big mountain to block all the wind. When we were on the other side of the mountain we were cold and wind blown but as soon as we turned the corner into town there were people all over walking around in shorts and tank tops. Funny how that works.

But that wasn’t the end of our road trip. We had to stop by my favorite favorite thrift store on the way out of town. I had some baby-sitting money burning in my pocket and we had a lot of fun spending it on silly hats and vintage clothes.

Then I went home and got really really sick! I guess things have to balance out and we had too much fun or something. The good news is I’m all better! Phew!