Well we decided to attend our first LPA convention this year since it was only a 6 hour drive from Long Island. We left our house at around 4:30 am and got to Washington D.C at 10:30 am. I had negative expectations about the trip. I think it was because I thought we wouldn't have a good time. From what it seemed, I thought it was going to be a boring trip for the girls. The conference guide book was filled with parent workshops and all kinds of discussion groups that I did not have the desire to attend. I thought the car ride was going to be difficult with 2 children and when we booked the hotel, we were unable to get a suite because they were sold out. So we were going to have a small hotel room for the 4 of us to share. It just seemed like the trip wouldn't be a positive experience. Everyone has different reasons why they want to attend a conference. My soul purpose of going was to finally meet in person all the people I blog with. I wanted to talk with my blogger friends in person and hang out with them.
I am happy to report that we had the most amazing time in Washington D.C. My negative feelings were quickly diminished when I started to see my friends in the lobby upon arrival. It was as though I was connecting with real, true friends.
We arrived on July 1 and settled into our room. We were lucky because our room was ready when we got to the hotel and a lot of our friends were just hanging out in the lobby waiting for rooms. We had 2 double beds and a crib. Like I said.....we were not used to these accommodations but each night was like a huge slumber party for the 4 of us! We laughed, talked about the day and 5 minutes into our conversation the girls would pass out! LOL It was such a pleasure being in such tight sleeping quarters with our amazing girls! We had no problems sleeping and each morning we woke up around 7:30 am and we were ready for another fun adventure.
JULY 1 (ARRIVAL)
Got to D.C., went to our room, unpacked and then hopped on the shuttle bus to the AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM! We had a quick bite to eat and then headed inside for some great sightseeing. The girls loved this museum. We hung out with wonderful friends from our Long Island Chapter and after 2 hours, we headed back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner. We were meeting other friends for dinner at an italian family-style restaurant called "Buca Di Beppa". There was approx. 15 of us and we had such a great time. We ate A LOT of food and drank and talked and got to know each other a little bit better (although I felt as if we've known each other forever). We were having such a great time that we didn't even realize we were at dinner for over 3 HOURS!!!! After dinner we headed back to hotel for a nightly dance with a DJ. There was so many friends and familiar faces there that Lyla was moving and grooving on the dance floor! Both Emma and Lyla were shaking it! The dance started at 9:00 pm and by 10:30 my girls were exhausted!!! We had so much fun on our first day and we needed to get to bed to start a new day with other exciting plans ahead of us! Here are pics from our first day in D.C.!
 |
| Getting mani's and pedi's the day before our trip! |
 |
| Registering at the conference. We received our ID badges |
 |
| Lyla is a pro now and loves getting her nails done! She loves when they massage her legs and feet!!! |
 |
| Hanging with friends from our Long Island Chapter! Here we are at the planetarium |
 |
| Me and my girls! |
 |
| 2 exhausted family members! I guess I couldn't blame them.....we left our house at 4:30am! |
 |
| The girls all ready for dinner to meet up with our friends! |
 |
| Lyla and Madison needed to warm up to each other |
 |
| Emma tried helping out but still not warmed yet |
 |
| Here are the two BESTIES!!! |
 |
| Yes.....hugs are a must!!! |
 |
| Group shot!! |
 |
| It's party time! |
 |
| Daddy and Lyla |
 |
| Lyla, Daddy and Mommy! Emma was dancing with her friend Grace all night! |
JULY 2
The next morning we woke up, ate breakfast and headed down to the lobby, to meet friends for the NATIONAL ZOO! I realized pretty quickly that it's almost impossible to keep large groups together so we pretty much did our best to try to stick with one another. Some of us went off on our own and others stuck with the group. All in all, it was a really nice zoo and as long as my girls were having fun then that's all that mattered to me. Here are some pics from our fabulous day with friends at the zoo!
We didn't get back from the zoo until about 3:00 ish! We freshened up for another fabulous dinner with friends at CACTUS CANTINA!! Sangria, Margheritas, and tons of food later and then we got ready for another dance party!
JULY 3
The next morning we ate breakfast again and headed off to a Washington D.C. tour! We rode the Metro and got to downtown D.C. where we decided to eat an early lunch and then go sightseeing. it was just the four of us on our tour. Eddie tried getting a limo tour but that was sold out. Next he tried getting the double decker bus but hat was sold out. So he was able to get a Trolley Tour and the girls thought it was so cool! Here are some pics from our tour:
After a well deserved nap we all got ready for the BANQUET GALA. We had a great night at the gala! The girls loved hanging out with our friends!
JULY 4 (Departure)
We left D.C. by 10:30am ish and got to Long Island around 4:00 ish. We then got ready to go to our Beach Club and party for the Fourth of July! We had our babysitter come for Lyla (because I knew the girl would be exhausted) and Eddie, Emma, Eddie's parents and myself headed down to the beach for some food, champagne and firework watching! Here are some pics:
 |
| My girls all ready for the zoo! As you can see my girls always have matching clothes! Mommy is a shopaholic! LOL |
 |
| Hailey and Lyla |
 |
| Some of our friends at the entrance....we met others inside and later on in the day! |
 |
| Eddie and Lyla and our friends Hue and Sydney |
 |
| Emma, Lyla and Jake on Jake's scooter! They rode around in style! Thanks Jake! |
 |
| Carousel ride with friends! |
 |
| Emma with the apes |
 |
| Dinner with friends |
 |
| Lyla and Reid |
 |
| Emma and Grace at the dance party! |
JULY 3
The next morning we ate breakfast again and headed off to a Washington D.C. tour! We rode the Metro and got to downtown D.C. where we decided to eat an early lunch and then go sightseeing. it was just the four of us on our tour. Eddie tried getting a limo tour but that was sold out. Next he tried getting the double decker bus but hat was sold out. So he was able to get a Trolley Tour and the girls thought it was so cool! Here are some pics from our tour:
 |
| Getting ready for our tour |
 |
| Having lunch at the HARD ROCK CAFE |
 |
| My beautiful family in front of the WHITE HOUSE. I have to tell you that it looks a lot smaller in person. |
 |
| Eddie got in a picket line in front of the White House as a joke! I couldn't stop laughing taking this pic! |
 |
| Me and my girls |
 |
| My sweethearts in front of the White House |
 |
| These girls love each other! Sisters rule!!! |
 |
| Lyla was poooopped!! |
 |
| My girls all dressed up! |
 |
| The four of us ready to have a good time at the banquet! |
 |
| Lyla and Danny |
 |
| Warwick Davis and Eddie |
 |
| My beautiful friend Kate and I |
 |
| Eddie fooling around! |
 |
| Me and my girls posing with the Obamas! |
 |
| Me and my Lyla |
We left D.C. by 10:30am ish and got to Long Island around 4:00 ish. We then got ready to go to our Beach Club and party for the Fourth of July! We had our babysitter come for Lyla (because I knew the girl would be exhausted) and Eddie, Emma, Eddie's parents and myself headed down to the beach for some food, champagne and firework watching! Here are some pics:
 |
| So tired from the long car ride home! |
 |
| Emma with her friends ...Michael and Augusta |
 |
| Emma had a blast and soon became exhausted around 10:00pm so we headed home! |
