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.

Great to See You!

We saw lots of friends during the month of May! We ended the month with a party at the Lamb's house (Tory, Phil, and Charlotte) Charlotte is 2 and Elliot adores her. I didn't bring my camera so I have no pictures to share. The party was packed with kids who were all kept busy by a mini moon bounce, water guns, popcicles, and a movie! Yeah, Elliot had a blast.


Some other friends we saw this month...


Mommy stayed with out friends the Amans in Richmond. Elliot was so bummed that he didn't get to see his buddy Clare. They did get to talk to each other on the phone.

We had a little cook out that included lots of Elliot's little friends including Charlotte and Conor.

Our friends the Andrews-Scheideler's stopped by for a quick visit (all the way from Colorado).

Our friend Karen stopped by after spotting the kids at the Metro. She was in town for a wedding by was working out of her east coast office (which is right around the corner) for a couple of days. Elliot LOVED Karen. She has two boys of her own and knows all kinds of cool wrestling moves.





Lightning McQueen

Happy Mother's Day! We had a lovely Mother's Day at our house. Beatrice let me sleep in, Daddy made me breakfast, and Elliot gave me a beautiful picture frame that he made at school. After breakfast and some time spent playing in the yard we ventured in to town (Silver Spring) to see a special appearance by Lightning McQueen and friends from the Disney movie Cars. This is one of Elliot's favorite movies and he was very excited, even though we had to stand in a long line. While in line we ran into one of Mommy's old friends from summer camp/high school, Matt Kennedy, and his family. Elliot and Matt's son Max are the same age and both waited very patiently for their turn to see the cars.

After seeing the Cars we wandered around an art market that was also taking place down town. It was another beautiful Spring Day to be out and and about!

All the kids in line got Cars sunglasses and a Cars key chain.

Elliot and Max

Bea liked the sun glasses too.

We had pictures taken of us in front of the cars and should receive them by email in a couple of days.