Sunday stroll

I was feeling the need to strike a counterbalance from our trip to Six Flags yesterday so this morning we took the girls for a hike on Roosevelt Island just across the Potomac River.

Resting on a trail-side bench. Note that Lily's hiking gear included a flouncy peace sign skirt. And Amalia is always sure to pack her goofy grin.

Checking out what fauna to expect along the way.

The girls weren't sure they wanted to investigate the log's contents too closely.

Who needs a stinkin' double stroller? Lap rides are the best.

Summer camp extras

We just received some photos from Lily's summer camp, Fashion Week edition. The skirt featured in the above picture was crafted out of coffee filters. Not sure what inspired the Elton John glasses.

The designer showing off her creations.

Getting pampered before hitting the runway. Lily admitted that she took a bite out of her cucumber.

Strike a pose.

I just don't even know what to say about this.

Amalia antics

If you're a frequent visitor to this blog -- or if you've ever met my younger child -- you know Amalia is quite a character. Below are a few anecdotes from the week.

We've recently been reading a Mercer Mayer book called Where Is My Frog? in which a boy loses his pet frog while fishing with his dad and looks for it in all the usual places. In each hiding spot there's some other type of animal, which Amalia enjoys calling out the names of. Mouse! Spider! Turtle! But when we get to the page where there's a raccoon hiding in a tent, she always says, "Cow!" (No.) "Moose!" (No.) "What is it?" (Raccoon.) "Raccoon." Every time.

We also recently started a new conversation game at dinner called The Bad and The Good, where we go around and each say one bad thing that happened to us that day followed by something good. (Lily's first day of kindergarten resulted in this report -- Bad: "Nothing!"; Good: "Everything!") Anyway, Amalia hasn't really been grasping the concept, but two nights ago I thought she was on the right track when her bad report was, "I bumped my head." Ooh, I said, and what good happened to you today? "I fell down the stairs." Maybe this game still needs more work.

Toilet training has been picking up speed, with Amalia frequently requesting to "go pee on the potty." The other night she made this request and sat down on the potty with no luck. Trying to help her out, I said, "Do you know any songs about going potty?" She immediately broke into what I can only assume was an impromptu ad lib of, "ABCD going pee! ABCD going pee!" and so on, to the tune of the alphabet song.

And just this morning she made a solo trip to go pee on the potty. When I went into the bathroom to check on her, Little Miss Independent had already lifted the potty receptacle up out of the seat and was pouring the contents into the toilet (well, most of the contents).

Good times.

Kindergarten! (and no, I did not cry)

The requisite backpack and lunch bag photo. Lily's black and white ensemble is much more sophisticated than my kindergarten first-day outfit, which included a Ronald McDonald dress complete with red and white stripes on the sleeves. Must have been the '70s.

No, there wasn't a picket line at her school. They had everyone line up by class. Controlled chaos at best.

Reunited...

In we go!

Let me set the scene:

Gabe: Lily, how old are you now?
Lily: Five.
Gabe: Ah, just like me.
Lily: Yeah, but I'm taller.
Gabe: Let's see.

Getting right to work.

The artist in her element. It's good to be back!

Just a spoonful of sugar

This evening Lily and I joined some friends for a performance of Mary Poppins at The Kennedy Center. As usual, the venue was as much a draw as the show, which we only made it through half of.

All gussied up.

Lily and Colleen.

Look closely. How many monuments can you see in this picture? (You can enlarge the photo by clicking on it.)

For those of you who have flown into National, you know that pilots use the Potomac as their guide into the airport. That makes for some mighty big planes flying right over The Kennedy Center.

Snacks in hand, ready for the show.

A cat named Peanut

One visit is all it takes for the girls to pine after a cat. I have to admit this one was pretty friendly, though my IgE antibodies might beg to differ.

How do all little kids innately know that you should bring out a saucer of milk when cats come to visit? Lily did specify to "bring some cow milk." I guess she didn't think Peanut would care for soy.

Amalia getting to know her neighbor.

A portrait of the artist as a young girl

To fill in the time between her summer camp and school starting next Monday, Lily spent mornings this week at an art camp. She took to it like Picasso to the color blue.

A week's worth of creations. Clockwise from the top: family tree, plaster dolphin mask, self portrait (unfinished), family "crust" (as Lily calls it), decorated name plate.

Lily holding up the family crust. Looks like she got a little on her forearm.

Her favorite art teacher, Katie #3.

Lily and her newfound best art buddy, Charlotte.

School envy

Andy had the chance to attend the ribbon-cutting at Lily's renovated elementary school this morning. It's about three blocks from our house and is just beautiful. I wish I had a picture of the portables in which she spent her year of Pre-K so that you could be dazzled by the contrast, but I think these images are impressive nonetheless. Who woulda thunk we'd get such a nice public school right here in our little ol' DC neighborhood?

It's an election year, so our mayor (in the blue tie) was not about to miss an opportunity to press the flesh and take (partial) credit for our shiny new building.

DC Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee at the press conference. The kids in orange shirts were bussed in for the photo op.

My high school gym wasn't this nice. To be fair, the school gym will also be open to the public as a community center.

Steve Jobs would be proud. Did I mention that my first computer in school was a TRS-80?

The new playground. We've already done a test run. Lily gives it a thumbs up.

Where Lily will spend most of her kindergarten hours.

School starts Monday. We can't wait.

M R Ducks

Amalia and I had some time to walk around downtown this morning while Andy took Lily into work for a bit. Here she is exploring Freedom Plaza.

And then we came across some ducks in Pershing Park. We never made it any farther.

Amalia turns 2!

Although we had the party last weekend, we saved Amalia's gifts for her birthday proper.




Amalia's big birthday gift this year was a trampoline. It's been quite a hit -- seeing a great deal of action from both girls over the past 48 hours. Andy and I are not too proud to admit to having ulterior motives.



Amalia with one of her other birthday gifts: a Tonka firetruck. What amuses me about this clip is her matter-of-fact, problem-solving attitude. I'm sure this trait will be noted on some future performance review.



The day after Amalia's birthday, we took a drive out to Northern Virginia to use up some birthday club free meal gift certificates (Andy strikes again!). The entertainment from the back seat was lively--until Amalia herself declared enough was enough.

The party continues

Because Lily's birthday falls on a Monday this year, and Andy and I will both have to work, we decided to do some pre-birthday activities today -- like opening a few gifts.

Marble run. Some assembly required.

Success!

Lily's new Radio Flyer scooter. A special request.

Trial run.

Fun at one of our favorite parks.

More gifts to be opened tomorrow. What a lucky girl. :-)

Party time

Yesterday we had a joint party for the girls' birthdays. A lovely time was had by all.

Party preparations.

Anticipation.

Bunnies!

Amalia and Emmi.

Safety first.

Amalia, not quite getting the candle concept.

Girls rock.

Price check!

I NEVER have this much help at my Safeway.

Care for any cheese with your whine?

Good-bye hugs.