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.

It happened one Sunday

I'm going to start with two short snippets before we get to today's pictures. Heard earlier today:

(at Gabe's party -- pictures below)
Me: Amalia, walk faster. We need to catch up with Lily.
Amalia: Ketchup! I like ketchup!

(coming home, walking in the door)
Lily: Amalia, I'm going to miss you when I go to college.

OK, so we just got back from a birthday party for Lily's buddy Gabe. But before we did that, I took the girls to get their hairs cut (Amalia for the first time).

Lily, before.

Amalia, before.

Amalia, during.

Both girls, after.

Gabe's party; water balloon toss.

Lily getting eaten by mosquitoes.

Amalia thrilled with her new do.

Futbol!