April

April 1st, in addition to being a day for fools, was Easter this year and we woke up in Massachusetts (on purpose). Still there for Spring Break, Sue made us Eggs Benedict for breakfast, then we went over to the Bradys’ for the egg hunt and Easter dinner. Monday we’d planned on leaving early, but a late spring snow arriving during morning rush hour delayed our start and we didn’t get back to the area until rush hour, so we stopped for dinner in Silver Spring at Jewel of India (Nina likes her naan).

Nina

On Wednesday, Nina was delighted that Olympian Maame Biney came to school (she got a high five). Nina had lots of new foods on vacation due to her new egg tolerance, but my favorite moment was finally introducing her to Popeye’s Chicken Thursday (she’s a fan of the tenders). Friday I knew the weather the rest of the weekend won’t be as nice, but it was delightful having dinner outside.

outside

Saturday the 7th Jill was working, so Nina got to take a friend to Rebounderz to use a coupon after practice, then we had dinner at Glory Days. Sunday I noted that if the news about Fleetwood Mac replacing Lindsey Buckingham with Mike Campbell and Neil Finn of Crowded House had been posted on the previous Sunday, I would have laughed. But instead I was shocked – and intrigued. I also seconded the notion that it’s okay to sit down at shows. Thursday at an extra cheer practice I discovered that Old Ox Brewery was within walking distance.

Nina

Saturday the 14th Nina had her 3rd cheer competition out at Mount St. Mary’s University, where her team did the best all year, coming in 2nd place in their division and getting a Sportsmanship Award (after their first performance had lousy sound). Sunday we went out in the rain to have lunch with Dad and Patricia for his birthday, then stopped at Mrs. Cannon’s house on the way back as Chris and the family were down for the week. We left at dark, so we stopped at District Taco for some tasty Mexican.

Dad Nina

Friday the 20th the Cannons came over for dinner (more Mexican) and the kids ran around until they dropped. Sunday I worked to get a day off, but that ended badly as I was rear ended hard while waiting at a light on Fairfax County Parkway. It was better later at concert #9: Alan Doyle at The Hamilton with Fortunate Ones. Good set of solo and Great Big Sea songs, plus good food upstairs for Jill and I. Tuesday I was solo for concert #10: Steven Wilson at the 9:30 Club, busting out some fine Porcupine Tree tunes (and a long show, 2.5 hours plus an intermission).

Alan Doyle

Wednesday was a busy day off, as I took my car in for an estimate, then ran lots of errands before tackling jobs at home like clearing the clog in our bathroom sink. Friday Jill went to lunch with Nina at school, then Jill’s sister, mom and youngest niece came down as her oldest niece had a birthday. The ladies of age went to Filomena and Georgetown Cupcake, while I took the younger two out to Glory Days and Baskin-Robbins.

Nina

Saturday morning we all drove up to Coppin State University in Baltimore for Nina’s final cheer competition. On the way back we stopped a couple times and it was getting late, so we met the Bradys in Alexandria for an early dinner at Eamonn’s, then took the water taxi over to National Harbor. Everyone but me wanted to do the ferris wheel, so I spent time at The Brass Tap. They were still waiting in line when it was time to meet at the water taxi, so I went to get my car, and then was convinced to squish everyone in to take them to get the other one. Luckily I didn’t miss out on Ben & Jerry’s since there was another in Alexandria on the walk back to the car.

Nina

Sunday I worked again and Jill took the younger ones to Cirque du Soleil in Tysons. Jill said “We had so much fun at Cirque de Soleil’s Luzia this afternoon! It was beautiful; kudos for including a water element to their traveling show this year!”. Everyone else joined them to shop later and I went there after work and we all had dinner at Cheesecake Factory (Nina had spaghetti for the second time in 3 days).

Kerry Jill