T-man's Day!

Remember my post about my unhappy boy? Well, this week he had a lot to be happy about. He entered an essay contest sponsored by the Washington Post and was one of six finalists. On Tuesday, he and I drove to Washington DC for a summit luncheon on childhood obesity where he read his essay aloud.

The luncheon was adorable. I loved these center pieces (the grass was real!)
He was sick that day with a fever - but both of us wanted to go. So we relied on liquid Tylenol and Ibuprofen (my purse was very heavy) and pressed forward.

He was pretty nervous right before going up on the stage...and he was the first one in line! But he did a stellar job. He read the words with emphasis just like we practiced at home. "I LOVE vegetables!" he said with a smile. And when he read his line, "When I was little..." and the audience laughed, he just kept going. He even put his paper down and looked out at the audience on his last line, "I usually eat two helpings of vegetables...and sometimes even thirds!"
Celebrity moment! Carla Hall, a Top Chef contestant, made the lunch. She made her famous chicken pot pie. (The funny part is - I've only watched two episodes of Top Chef, ever. And it just so happens that her "Pot Pie" episode with Jimmy Fallon was one of them!). So, I was thrilled to meet her and eat her homemade pot pie.
It was a wonderful day to spend with my boy. I loved riding in the car with him and getting the chance to just talk. I loved walking from Pennsylvania Ave. up 15th street holding his hand. I loved our sight-seeing side trip to take a picture of the White House. I loved watching him shake everyone's hands. I loved watching him read his essay. But mostly, I just loved seeing him smile...all day long.