Birthday Surprise for my Daughter

So I wake up Friday morning and while still staggering about with no coffee yet on board, my husband mentions that our daughter’s 26th birthday is in two days. Indeed I knew that, although I was not clear on the actual dates since I tend to lose track of such things (another story!) Amid my mild surprise that it was already the 7th of March, my husband casually suggests hopping into the car, driving to Virginia, and popping in as a big birthday surprise. Whoa!

The wild idea took all of two minutes to entrench. Arrangements were secretly organized with Emily’s husband Neil, diverting messages were sent to Emily, and by early afternoon we were in the car. We drove the distance in two stages, there being no need to push it since Emily was working on Saturday anyway. The drive through West Virginia into Virginia was beautiful so we were happy to leisurely meander into the Washington DC area.

As per our plotting with Neil, we walked up to their church on Sunday morning. Our hope was to stroll in ever so casually, but Emily spied us through the window first. It didn’t matter, of course, since she was stunned to see us so the surprise was perfect! Steve caught the moment on video.

For six wonderful days we visited. This was our first trip to the metro DC area, our first time seeing the quaint house our daughter and son-in-law live in, our introduction to their cats Lily and Therman, and our first long trip abroad since moving to Kentucky last September. We can now add three more States to those we have seen!

Best of all, we added to the specialness of Emmy’s birthday AND got to do a bit of sightseeing. Top on our list was the Smithsonian, but first we hit the National Rifle Association headquarters and museum in Fairfax, VA, just miles from where we were staying. A ton of walking and photos later — and more firearms than I have seen in the whole of my life — and we ended with a nice taste of the touristy stuff. Not all, of course, as that would probably take weeks. Here are a few highlights:

Emily Lathan-Steiner and her mommy!

Therman the Cat

Emily's birthday dinner at Legal Seafood in Arlington. Yummy!

National Rifle Association headquarters and museum in Fairfax, VA

A pistol "vampire hunter" with silver bullets!

Pre-19th century flintlock rifles.

Part of the Wild West exhibit at NRA museum.

Small part of the exhibit on movie weapons.

Lunch at Haandi's Indian buffet.

Washington Monument.

US Capitol Building

The family outside the American History Museum at the Smithsonian.

Old books - I can never resist.

1778 baby rattle belonging to child of John Hancock.

Dorothy's ruby slippers.

Mid-19th century corset with elaborate busks.

Snuffboxes

Hubby Steve outside the American War gallery.

Continental gunboat Philadelphia

Deck remains of the Philadelphia

Famous portrait of General George Washington

US Constitution display

Info on Grant's carriage

President Grant's inauguration carriage

Civil War doctor's apothecary chest

Chairs from Appomattox where Civil War treaty was signed between Grant and Lee

First Lady gown collection. Pat Nixon (L) & Rosalynn Carter (R)

Display of White House china, this the Lincoln pattern.

One of many displays at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

Wright Brother's plane.

Amelia Earhart exhibit with the plane that flew across the Atlantic.

Earhart jacket & goggles.

The Red Baron

Most of our time was passed at their home watching TV and visiting. I got Emily hooked on Sleepy Hollow. Yeah! Another Tom Mison fan! We watched several episodes of Downton Abbey, which served to entice my skeptical husband to now want to watch from the beginning. We played a card & dice game called “Fill or Bust” that Neil played when a kid, and it was terrific fun!

As our eight designated day visit drew near, I unfortunately grew ill. Our day at the Air & Space Museum was agony, to be honest, and by later that night I was in the ER hooked up to an IV. Bad case of the flu and a kidney infection. Yikes! Sadly, between my health and a reputed “big snow storm” coming into the area, we departed a day early. I literally slept the entire eight hour drive back to Kentucky other than staggering steps for bathroom breaks. Fortunately I am now mended, although it took a week! Hence my two-week near silence from the blog and Facebook.

But now I am back to normal, or close to, so watch out! Time to get back to writing the next book!

Please leave this field empty

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG
UPDATE MAILING LIST!

SELECT DELIVERY PREFERENCE:

Weekly Update Bi-Monthly Update

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. Thank you!