March at Mach 5, and Spring Break in Peru!

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we sure do pack a lot in to a month...! I cannot for the life of me figure out where March went. I do know it was action-packed. We dressed like book characters and played hooky for a trip to the Spy Museum,

enjoyed both winter and spring weather,

got haircuts;

saw Riverdance at the Kennedy Center with friends;

and celebrated St. Pat's, cherry blossoms,

and the birthdays of some of our faves.

And then we fled the country.

I had been devastated when I found out I had to work over the kids' spring break, and then decided to pull them out of school early for a last minute trip to Peru for Lehua's 10th birthday. Best. Decision. Ever. Even if the FCPS truancy office is less than thrilled, judging by the number of voicemails they have left us.

I took one million photos, and they can be found here for the really dedicated. The highlight reel is epic on its own: Lehua's fabulous lakeside birthday party,

Lehua's fabulous family celebrations,

and Lehua's fabulous spa birthday getaway.

I am never going to be able to throw F+F a a 10th birthday party after this one (thanks, Bustamantes)...!

Besides the birthday extravaganza (and because there is basically nothing better than vacationing with top-of-their-field travel professionals), there was also rafting and riding,

waterfalls (some of us in undies due to a suitcase swaparoo) and death marches (a real Walters family tradition),

and way too much wildlife for my taste (although the alpacas were a real hit with the kids.)

With such idyllic-looking photos, I would be remiss if I didn't also confess to bathroom disasters resulting in hasty new outfits, and restaurant meltdowns.

Peru is always magical (even though we missed the rest of the family madly). By far the most special parts of our whirlwind South American adventure, though, were the opportunities to spend time with our (extended!) Peruvian family, party with Lehua for her Big Ten celebration, and see and be part of the fantastic life and profession that Sara and Daniel have created for themselves. We even got to be the first to tour the beautiful lakeside land they bought for construction of their dream house.

Oh, and Picky Ford ate street vendor pork rinds. It was a real moment.