Playing Hookie

Ok Ashley (sometimes known as "anonymous") this is for you-

I love the National Zoo. It has a huge assortment of animals and best of all it's free. You can have an amazing experience there, but the trick is to go when its not crowded and when the weather is just right. This basically leaves you with two options- you can either go on a school day during the fall, or on a school day during the spring. If you choose otherwise (like in the summer) you will likely die of heat exhaustion (this zoo is really hilly- not fun to push a stroller) and the only animals you will see are humans, humans and more humans. Trust me, I know this from years of experience.

Sam's been asking to go to the zoo all winter, so I promised him that when the weather warmed up he could miss a half day of school and we would go. I decided to make good on that promise last Thursday- which was a perfectly beautiful 70 degree day. Aghh, springtime.

Luke's 4th Birthday

When the weather is nice we walk Sammy to school. The arrangement is that Sam walks, while I push Luke and Afton in a jogging stroller. During these short walks, Luke loves to twist around so he can talk to me. A few months ago he even took to calling himself my "co-pilot". Then about a month ago he asked, "Mommy, are you glad I'm your co-pilot?"

I can't begin to express how glad I am to have Luke as my co-pilot. From 6:30 am to 7:30 pm I have that little boy yapping my ear off. He says things that melt my heart, that make me laugh, and sometimes things that make me want to ring his neck. His is an imagination so vivid that I almost think he feels as much joy pretending to eat a lollipop as he would feel actually eating a real one. Of our 3 kids, he is easily the most affectionate. I'm slowly realizing that it won't be too long before he doesn't fit into my arms anymore. He's also my child that can fall asleep anywhere- like in a shopping cart at a store. He continually thinks he can do things beyond his years- which he occasionally can. But when he can't, he is seldom discouraged from trying again. The phrase "one of a kind" seems to fit Luke just right, and boy are we crazy about this little guy.

So, happy birthday Luke-- to the best co-pilot in the world.

Random Moments- winter bla edition

We survived the blizzard(s) of 2010. I say survived, but I still think only half of my brain cells are functioning. The two consecutive snow storms we received (the second one aptly dubbed "Snoverkill") resulted in Andrew's work and Sam's school (and the greater DC area) being canceled for the week. A WEEK! Being stuck inside of my house with my cabin fever-ed kids (both boys actually had fevers...Luke even threw up a couple of times) and stir crazy husband certainly took its toll. I did manage to get out of the house once to make a quick trip to the grocery store...yes, me and the rest of the world. We never did lose our power, but like many other lucky home owners, our back gutter did come crashing down from the weight of the melting snow and ice. All in all, we really cannot complain.

On a related note...I am D-O-N-E with winter. If you see a woman and her 3 young kids wearing shorts and sandals- it's likely us. I've decided that I'm going to will spring to arrive by dressing in warm-weather clothes.

Sam's new mission in life is to be dressed comfortably. The problem is that this kid's definition of comfortable is his pajamas. Since his mother does not find it acceptable to wear pj's to school, Sam changes into them the moment he gets home...which is 3:10 in the afternoon. He also puts up a fight when I try to dress him in jeans, khaki's or layers because they are not "comfortable." Maybe it is time to buy him a sweat-suit.

I started to digital scrapbook. Yes, I'm a scrapbooker. It is annoying and immensely time consuming, but my family and I love the results. While stuck inside my house last week I decided to download a digital scrapbooking program. That may have been what kept me sane. Make fun of me all you want, but I am shamelessly converted!


















I have been hooked to the drama of men's Olympic figure skating. I became a fan of the Olympics back in 2002 when Salt Lake City hosted the winter games. We were living in Provo at the time, so it was impossible not to catch the Olympic spirit. I was mostly into the skiing, snowboarding and speed skating competitions, but this year I couldn't get enough men's figure skating. The outfits, the moves, the catty remarks- it is SO much better than reality TV! Now that it is all over, Andrew and I are going to have to rent Blades of Glory (for which we have a renewed appreciation).

Snowmageddon

President Obama has dubbed this snow storm "Snowmageddon". I'm just calling it insanity. The snow started Friday afternoon, lasted until Saturday evening, and accumulated a total of 30+ inches. I believe this is nearly a record for our area. The last I read 100,000 people in suburban Maryland were without electricity, and thankfully, we are not one of them. School has been canceled until Wednesday, which is also when the roads in our neighborhood may be plowed (at least that is what the county website says). This is just in time for the next snowfall which is due to start Tuesday night...aghhhhhhhhh!

In the mean time the sun is out, we have food aplenty, and there will be no work (at least for tomorrow), which means we're enjoying being snowed in. Well, at least some of us will be snowed in- Andrew is planning on walking to his brother's to watch the Super Bowl tonight (where there is a larger TV...and even more food). It's nice to know that there are some things he is unwilling to sacrifice.

the snowfall about 3/4 of the way through

Random Moments Monday V

Afton has claimed a "spot" in our house. More often than not I find this little baby sitting in the exact same spot- the left side of the fireplace hearth. I don't know why this particular place is so appealing to her, but she loves to sit there, perched with her little legs crossed. Try and take her from this place and you have one angry baby on your hands.

Sam attended a "Peace Day Dance". If none of the children in Sam's elementary school are sent to the office it is called a "Peace Day". These days are added up and after reaching a set number (25 peace days, 50 peace days), the children are rewarded in various ways. This last Friday they were rewarded with a school dance. This was held towards the end of the school day, and from what Sam has told me, all of the children gathered into the "All Purpose Room" where the lights were dimmed and a DJ played music. Sam's been demonstrating how he and his fellow kindergarten friends danced, and I would give anything to have seen it.

Luke's latest catch phrase: "Oh, now you've done it!" This is said in an angry voice, usually directed towards myself, concerning something that doesn't involve me at all. For example, Luke might knock over his cup of water, glare at me, and then say in an angry little voice, "Oh, now you've done it!" Ohhh, Luke.

Andrew had his first overseas work trip. Last week Andrew was sent to Switzerland where he attended a conference for work. He spent 4 days there, with the first being used for time adjustment and sightseeing. The neat thing about the city he was in is that it is located right on the border of Germany and France. Andrew took a tram to the border of France, walked in about 50 yards and turned around. Now he can at least add France to the list of countries he's visited. As for myself, I'm still batting 0 for 0.

The town square with the market

The tram center (not sure what it's really called)

It snowed again. Will this winter ever end? The crummy thing about this past snowfall is that it made it near impossible for Andrew to get home from his trip. His flight landed at 3:30 pm and he didn't make it home until 8:30 pm. Since 90% of the taxi drivers appeared to be hiding from the snow, the journey home involved sharing a taxi to DC (which he cut way ahead in the line to do), hoping onto the metro and then catching a taxi home. This was all after a 2 hour train ride to the Zurich airport and then a 9 1/2 hour flight home. We're glad to have him back.

Cousins in the House

Have I ever mentioned how much my kids love their cousins?

Sam's B-day Party

Sam, age 6

Current Likes: going to school, playing outside, riding his bike, Mexican food, curry, swimming lessons, reading, animals, dinosaurs, outer space.

Current dislikes: wearing his socks indoors, wearing a jacket outside, getting his fingernails cut, rules in general.

We've been wanting to get to know the 5-6 year old boys in our neighborhood, and Sam's birthday seemed like the perfect opportunity. I was initially planning on inviting over 5 boys, but somewhere during the planning process 5 turned into 10 (including our two). With that many kids I was anticipating madness, but rather than fighting it, we embraced it. As you can see from the pictures below, the boys loved it. The theme was "dinosaurs" and not having much kid party experience, we stuck to the traditional party stuff (games, cake and ice cream, etc). Once everyone left I asked Sam if he had fun- his response, "Yes! It was like having a ginormous playdate!" I guess that's one way of looking at it.

A special thanks to my friend Merry who was a complete lifesaver! Without her help I think the madness may have gotten out of control!

I hate making birthday cakes, but "Family Fun" has the best (easy)

cake ideas on their site. Click here for the recipe for this little gem.

Happy Birthday Sammy Boy! We love you so much!

Now could you please stop growing up so fast?