Pre-K

Here's a recent picture of Amalia's Pre-K class celebrating a classmate's birthday. Amalia is standing next to her bestest bud, Zeina (in the black top and pink pants). Those two are like peas in a pod--each one sillier than the other and outdoing each other with the "stories" they tell. (Note that "telling stories" is the phrase currently en vogue for what used to be called "lying.")

As a side note, the kid in the front row with the red shirt and his arms crossed always reminds me of John Legend.

Girlfriends

Lily and Zahra at a friend's ice skating party a couple of weekends ago. Don't worry, that's hot chocolate, not coffee, in those cups. But sometimes pictures like this give me a glimpse into a future that is not so far away.

Steele Christmas 2013

Our first stop after arriving in Ohio was cousin Paul's fire house in Columbus. 

The girls particularly liked it when Paul hooked them up to the EKG to "take pictures" of their hearts. Well, what they really liked was the gooey stuff on the backside of the EKG leads--and then taking them off and sticking them on Corey. 

We spent the night in Sunbury. This is Lily's still life of Aunt Novella's kitchen. 

At Dave and Beth's for Steele Family Christmas, getting ready for the portrait before Bruce left. 

We missed having Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dave there. 

My mother's sisters watching over Amalia and Taylor. 

 

 Taylor patiently playing kid Scrabble with Amalia. 

Lily got some sort of remote control flying machine, which she kept crashing into the ceiling. 

Bantering with my always-amusing cousins. 

Cousin Logan

Making time for both sisters. 

We listened to President Obama being sworn in (no stepping on each other this time!) and the rest of the Inauguration Ceremony on our drive home, getting back to DC just in time to watch the parade, for which the girls got all decked out. 

Sisterly Love

Driving from school today:
Dad: Do you guys ever see each other during school?
Lily: At before & after care.
Dad: So you never see each other anywhere else?
Lily: Nope. And I hate coming to after care!
Dad: Why?
Lily: Amalia never lets me come in until I hug her!
Dad: Amalia, do you miss your sister all day?
Amalia: Yeah.

Danceapalooza

Our house was full of girls this weekend--even more than usual. 

Amalia had a playdate with her former daycare classmate Frances. 

The occasion called for princess-wear, of course. 

Doing the Robot. 

The Disco phase. 

What grace. 

 

What style. 

What pizzazz.

The older girls got into the act with coordinating hairstyles and outfits. 

Much more reserved, naturally. 

Then downstairs for the gymnastics portion. 

  

We need a bigger living room. 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo