Butterfly Encounter

We had a very relaxing Labor day weekend and hope you did too! With the weather calling for rain ALL WEEK we tried to spend a lot of time outside this weekend. In addition to trips to the playground and lots of walks, We also spent a good chunk of our outdoor time exploring the Gardens at Wheaton Regional Park. The gardens were amazing! Brian and I  could not believe we hadn't been there yet. Although it was hot, it was a really lovely place to spend our Sunday afternoon. The highlight of the visit was the butterfly exhibit. The last time Elliot went to a butterfly exhibit he was scared. This time we was very interested in and amazed by all of the butterflies. Beatrice was very serious but also curious. Click here to see a video of our butterfly encounter.

2011 Mid Summer Round-up

I know, I know you've heard the excuses before. Time flies, we are super busy, no time to post pictures. The truth is that lately I've been more dedicated to my little design blog (www.namesakedesign.blogspot.com - if you are curious) than I have to this blog. We got a new computer this weekend, which should help because our old computer was super slow and it took forever to upload photos to the hard drive and the web.

So without further ado, here's a quick round-up of what we have been up to in the last month and a half.

The weekend after the Twinkies came to visit was the weekend of the neighborhood summer party. Elliot spent most of the party in the moon bounce and took a brief break for tug-of-war. That's Elliot at the front of the boys' side. You can't tell from the photo but there were at least 15 boys pulling on the rope.  Beatrice spent the party trying to steal the balls from most of the homemade carnival games. She also took a turn in the moon bounce with a bunch of other toddlers. It was pretty cute.

We spent the 4th of July at Mimsey and Gramp's house. I wasn't feeling too well over the weekend but we all managed to have a good time. We took lots of trips to the pool (where Elliot did great with just water wings), and had fun playing with Aunt Lindsay, Uncle John, and Natalie who were also visiting.  The 4th in Williamsburg is always fun. Mimsey and Gramp's neighborhood has a parade (which Elliot and I made a hat for) and a party with fireworks. Unfrotunately there were no fire works due to wind, but there was a giant moon bounce slide. 

Elliot, Beatrice, Brian and I left the day after the fourth and Elliot stayed in Williamsburg for a week at Camp Mimsey.  He was on his own at their house for an entire week! He did great and had a wonderful time. Mimsey and Gramps kept him very busy with trip to museums (a children's museum and military transportation museum), parks, the pool, and playground. He even went with Gramps to buy a new new fish for the pond. Elliot named the fish Rocket. 

We haven't had any weekends away from home since the weekend after the 4th, but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy. We've spent lots of time playing in the yard. Elliot is quite the explorer and loves finding cool bugs or other "amazing" things like the mushroom pictured. Elliot and Beatrice have also helped with the garden which produced the giant zucchini pictured. Elliot and I made zucchini muffins out of it one Saturday. We have also spent some time playing in our new kiddie pool. 

There have also been lots of outings to the playground. Elliot and Beatrice both love the swings. 

Two weekends ago we went to our friend Conor's 4th birthday. Elliot had a blast and Mommy enjoyed seeing her friends. Especially Tasha and baby Anja - who is getting so big!

Finally, last weekend we went to Wheaton Regional Park to ride the train and carousel and have a picnic.  The last time we were there Beatrice was in the sling the entire time. Even though it was hot, we had a great time. Beatrice was a little nervous about the train and carousel at first, but quickly decided she really liked both.

Wow, we have been busy! Now that I am done with this post, I am happy to report that my new computer has made this a much faster process! 

Twinkies Come to Visit

Two weeks ago the Farnum-Lynotts made the trip all the way from Colorado to visit us over Father's Day weekend. It was the first plane ride and a BIG trip for cousins Webb and Adelaide (AKA the Twinkies). We are so glad they came and we all had a great time during their stay. Daddy and Uncle Joe enjoyed their time rubbing elbows with golfing greats at the US Open (seriously, Unlce Joe has the pictures to prove it), and Mommy and Stacey enjoyed catching up and spending time with all of the kids (we also manged to sneak in a little shopping, lunch with a friend, and a pedicure). We also all spent lots of time at the Farmers' Market, playground, and strolling the neighborhood. On Monday, before the Farnum-Lynotts headed back to CO we ventured into DC to see the sights. Of course I didn't take enough pictures, but I did get few good shots (and steal a few of Aunt Stacey's) of our adventures.

Cherry stand at the Farmers' Market

Everyone wanted to play with Bea's little kitchen.

Elliot helping push Adelaide

WWII Memorial



Team Stroller

View from the Lincoln Memorial. Its too bad the reflecting pool is being renovated - not exactly picture perfect.

Weekend with Mommy

Our summer is in full swing with weekends filled with trips to the farmers' market and playground, lots of time in the yard, and most meals are eaten al fresco. This weekend I had the kids all to myself (daddy had to work) and we were busy bees. On Satruday we went to the Farmer's market. While we were there we stopped to play in the fountain. Beatrice LOVES the fountain and Lara takes the kids there at least twice a week.

Elliot is all about making silly faces so its hard to get a nice photo of him these days.

After Beatrice's nap and a little quiet time for Mommy and Elliot we went to see Mom-mom (my grandmother) to celebrate her 91st birthday. My cousin David and his family were there and Elliot and Beatrice had a create time playing with their third cousins.

Today, Elliot, Beatrice and I went to the playground, ate brunch (at our neighborhood diner), Elliot and I did some art and listened to music, we took a little trip to a big fabric store, and we watched a movie when it threatened to storm (but never did).

We are all excited for the week ahead because Aunt Stacey, Uncle Joe, and Cousins Web and Adelaide are coming to visit. I promise to post lots of pictures.

Changing of the Guard

Mariana flew back to Brazil today. We were going to go to the airport to send her off, but she asked us not to so that the kids wouldn't remember her leaving sad. So we said our good-byes on Friday afternoon before heading to the airport to pick up our new au pair, Lara. Mariana was a wonderful addition to our family and she will definitely be missed. She on to bigger and better things and we wish her nothing but the best as she embarks on her next adventure, college in San Francisco.

Elliot was very excited to pick up Lara at the airport. He brought the "welcome" sign that he and Mariana made for her and he gave her a hug when he met her. He got to spend lots of time this weekend getting to know Lara and he really likes her. He does miss Mariana though but as he told me the other night, "I am sad about Mariana, but not sad about Lara."

Beatrice also seems to like Lara, but has also had a little separation anxiety. I expected this and hope that it won't last long. Lara, like Mariana, is from Brazil. Given how far away from home she is, she probably has a little separation anxiety of her own. Hopefully we are making her feel right at home.