We were joined to usher in 2016 by Jane, our Vancouver friend who loves us so much that she was willing to fly to the USA - with United Airlines - to visit. She adjusted pretty quickly to being dragged around a foreign country by a toddler (who has never had so many willing playmates) and helped us outnumber Americans at our New Year's Eve party. Which ended for me with bed at 10.15pm, because I'm sensible.
Ellen and Meg continued to pack it in, with outings to numerous yarn stores (Ellen) and museums (Megan). Pete continued in utter infatuation of his older God-sister, copying everything she said in a manner that was extremely cute for the first twenty repetitions but wore a little thin after that.
And now today I've been driving back and forth to the airport with tears filling my eyes. But everyone drives so badly on the Beltway that no one would have noticed. Jane had to return home to Vancouver early, and Ellen and Meg to the UK late. We did squeeze in another trip to Which Wich? which has become Meg's #1 eatery (move over Yogurtland) and then an obligatory drive through McLean, Virginia, searching for photo opportunities.
And that's that! Perhaps my New Year's resolution should be to outsource less childcare, but when our visitors are so good at it what can I do? When tomorrow dawns it's school for Pete, work for Hannah, and...I wonder if there's any of that Drambuie left...
Megan celebrates receiving another Junior Ranger Badge.
Hand-in-hand by The White House.
The classiest lunch in DC.
Reflecting quietly.
We decided to teach Jane a few things about democracy, for her to take back north of the border (until that wall is built).
Pete and Meg study politics too.
It's a Happy New Year with the girls! We celebrated British New Year (7pm here). I could manage that.
And a Happy New Year from Pete too.
Ellen knows the way to the boy's heart: Candy Crush Saga.
A New Year walk, and I'm enjoying it!
But the status quo returns fairly quickly. Not that I mind the exercise, as I currently resemble the Christmas pudding I've been enjoying so much.
Then it was on to the Postal Museum which is bizarrely the best one in DC for kids, although we haven't made it to the National Firearms Museum yet.
Meg and Jane sort some packages.
Not sure the Pony Express would have agreed to carry these items.
A touchscreen! Who cares what it's about.
After that, a light lunch for Jane.
And it's goodbye from the McLeans of McLean.
