Maryland

Guess who slept until 5am?!  Not me, I was up at 3, 4, 4:30 - wondering when our sleeping beauty would arise and whether she was still breathing because she wasn't waking up!  At 5, I did not go in right away and Ellie fell back to sleep until 6.  Again, I gave her a few minutes and she gave me 30 back in sleep!  That is when our saga ends.  So, Ellie and I  (not Daddy, he slept longer) went downstairs and fed the dogs, cleaned up the kitchen and then showered and dressed, where Daddy joins us.  Then we all jump into the car and drive to Greenbelt, Maryland (2 hours) to visit a cinema-expert friend of Daddy's.  He made us a wonderful brunch; scrambled eggs, pancakes and tuna fish casserole.  May not all go together, but everything was the best I have ever tasted.  We watched a few movies, but this guy should have been a chef!  Ellie devoured a ton of food, which made her tired.  We spent the next hour outside, then inside, and outside, again to settle her down.  Finally, Ellie fell asleep on my shoulder, I sat with Jeff on the couch to watch "The Emperor's New Clothes" and immediately fell asleep.  Really good movie, or at least the parts I saw!  We also watched a film our friend directed.  It was excellent, a little sad and very thought provoking.  We were sad to leave, but the ballgame had started and our friend teaches at the local college and had to plan for Monday's lesson.  So, Daddy, Ellie and I bravely negotiated the traffic back from Maryland to Virginia - why is there always traffic leaving Maryland?  You don't see the same amount of traffic going in?!  I really shouldn't give my suggested, possible explanation, don't want to go political in Ellie's blog.
Stopped at Chevy's for dinner - Ellie loved the fresh, warm tortillas and the corn salsa... and the fried ice cream!  Returned home in time to pop Ellie into bed - gave in and nursed her for a little bit.  This weaning thing is challenging! 
Should have, but forgot to get pictures with our friend.