This morning we went down to the National Gallery of Art for a morning of culture. It was really exciting to see preparations being made for all of the inaugural events that will take place in the next few days. The Capitol was decked out with flags, there was a mini MSNBC studio on the Mall at 7th Street SW broadcasting some sort of coverage, there were a million news trucks from all over lining Madison Drive, there were speakers and equipment near the Lincoln Memorial for the big concert tomorrow (Bono!, Springsteen, etc.), and there were port-a-pottys everywhere. Vince asked me as we were driving down Jefferson if I could see any parking spots across the mall on Madison and my reply was "No, all I can see are port-a-pottys!"
Anyway, there is certainly a buzz in the air around here. It is so exciting to be able to witness these historic moments in person. I'll have to take the camera next time!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Kids are Growing
I haven't been much in the blogging mood lately. Not sure why. But today, we had their checkups with the pediatrician and it reminded me that the reason I want to blog is to have a family record of things that are happening in our lives. Something that, perhaps, the kids will want to look back on years down the road.
So, I thought I should give a few updates on the kids and what they are up to. First thing is that they are growing. Like weeds. Eleanor was weighed on the regular scale today, not the little scale that babies use. And, instead of laying her down on the examination table to measure her height, they stood her up against the wall and used the big kid height measuring device. Turns out she is definitely not a baby anymore.
Eleanor also started a dance class today. It is sort of a combination dance class, playtime, dress-up, imaginary play type class rather than a very structured type of thing. She quietly observed the entire class without hardly moving and then proceeded to reenact the entire thing in the living room when we got home. I am pretty sure she liked it. And, she definitely loved the new leotard (in a bright fuchsia color) that her friend Kate gave to her to wear. I have to get a picture of that, sorry not to have one for this post.
Henry's ears are finally clear and the tubes seem to be working. Hooray! Our pediatrician made sure to ask me if he was making sounds -- they worry that kids with chronic ear infections may have hearing problems and therefore speech delays. I told her that was not a concern with Henry. He is the biggest chatterbox I may have ever met. He repeats everything. Everything. For example, I asked him, "Henry, are you feeling pretty crappy right now?" to which he responds, "Crappy? Crappy. CRAPPY!" And, always with a mischievous little grin.
So, that is a little update. I think I will try to get back in the habit (maybe one of my new years resolutions?) of writing at least a couple of times a week.
So, I thought I should give a few updates on the kids and what they are up to. First thing is that they are growing. Like weeds. Eleanor was weighed on the regular scale today, not the little scale that babies use. And, instead of laying her down on the examination table to measure her height, they stood her up against the wall and used the big kid height measuring device. Turns out she is definitely not a baby anymore.
Eleanor also started a dance class today. It is sort of a combination dance class, playtime, dress-up, imaginary play type class rather than a very structured type of thing. She quietly observed the entire class without hardly moving and then proceeded to reenact the entire thing in the living room when we got home. I am pretty sure she liked it. And, she definitely loved the new leotard (in a bright fuchsia color) that her friend Kate gave to her to wear. I have to get a picture of that, sorry not to have one for this post.
Henry's ears are finally clear and the tubes seem to be working. Hooray! Our pediatrician made sure to ask me if he was making sounds -- they worry that kids with chronic ear infections may have hearing problems and therefore speech delays. I told her that was not a concern with Henry. He is the biggest chatterbox I may have ever met. He repeats everything. Everything. For example, I asked him, "Henry, are you feeling pretty crappy right now?" to which he responds, "Crappy? Crappy. CRAPPY!" And, always with a mischievous little grin.
So, that is a little update. I think I will try to get back in the habit (maybe one of my new years resolutions?) of writing at least a couple of times a week.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Some Christmas Thoughts
I know it is well into 2009 but after a(n) (un) healthy dose of the stomach flu, pink eye, ear infections and coughs, I am just now getting to the Christmas pictures. By the way, it wasn't just me that had all those things (thank heavens!), the maladies were spread out pretty evenly amongst our family members. And, don't worry, we are all better or on the mend.
Christmas was magical with the kids this year. It has always been my favorite season but now I play the role of the excited adult instead of the excited kid. We arrived to Michigan with 10 inches of beautiful white snow.
The kids wanted so badly to make a snow man and we didn't have to wait too long for the snow to be perfect for packing. Vince and the kids made an enormous snowman, which I promptly, but accidentally, knocked down.
We got in a bit of sledding on the sidewalk, but it was sort of scary at first. Vince had to show them how it was done. It wasn't until we started calling it the snow train that the kids really got into it. Eleanor especially was having a ball getting on and off with "snow tickets" at various "stations".
We got to see Aunt Jess and Uncle Ryan, a really nice surprise.
And, we celebrated Christmas Eve complete with the Christmas Pie (which unfortunately I don't have any pictures of) and Grandma's reading of the Night Before Christmas with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Eric, Aunt Sarah, Crystal and Laurie.
Christmas morning was spent with Mu, Tada, Nana, Aunt Glee, Auntie Lynda, and Mike opening all of the gifts that Santa Claus brought in the stockings.
I realize this post is getting very long and picture heavy but it was just so special to spend this time with our families. Just a couple more pictures though to round it out because there so many special little moments that I just don't want to forget -- the kids running through the mall holding hands and giggling, Eleanor dancing around the house to the Nutcracker wearing the tutu that Nana made for me when I was about her age, and Henry tromping around in the snow for the very first time.
Christmas was magical with the kids this year. It has always been my favorite season but now I play the role of the excited adult instead of the excited kid. We arrived to Michigan with 10 inches of beautiful white snow.
The kids wanted so badly to make a snow man and we didn't have to wait too long for the snow to be perfect for packing. Vince and the kids made an enormous snowman, which I promptly, but accidentally, knocked down.
We got in a bit of sledding on the sidewalk, but it was sort of scary at first. Vince had to show them how it was done. It wasn't until we started calling it the snow train that the kids really got into it. Eleanor especially was having a ball getting on and off with "snow tickets" at various "stations".
We got to see Aunt Jess and Uncle Ryan, a really nice surprise.
And, we celebrated Christmas Eve complete with the Christmas Pie (which unfortunately I don't have any pictures of) and Grandma's reading of the Night Before Christmas with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Eric, Aunt Sarah, Crystal and Laurie.
Christmas morning was spent with Mu, Tada, Nana, Aunt Glee, Auntie Lynda, and Mike opening all of the gifts that Santa Claus brought in the stockings.
I realize this post is getting very long and picture heavy but it was just so special to spend this time with our families. Just a couple more pictures though to round it out because there so many special little moments that I just don't want to forget -- the kids running through the mall holding hands and giggling, Eleanor dancing around the house to the Nutcracker wearing the tutu that Nana made for me when I was about her age, and Henry tromping around in the snow for the very first time.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy 2009!
Happy New Year to everyone!
Lots to share over the past couple of weeks, I just need to get the pictures downloaded. In the meantime, here are a few shots from our trip to the US Botanic Garden. They have an amazing model train exhibit around the holidays, which was perfect for the young train enthusiasts in our family. It is really quite remarkable -- all of the buildings and houses in the exhibit are created out of natural materials such as leaves, wood, vines and the like. They had models of several DC landmarks as well as little cottages, tree houses, and other small creations that looked as if they were straight out of a fairy tale. The kids still liked the trains best.
Lots to share over the past couple of weeks, I just need to get the pictures downloaded. In the meantime, here are a few shots from our trip to the US Botanic Garden. They have an amazing model train exhibit around the holidays, which was perfect for the young train enthusiasts in our family. It is really quite remarkable -- all of the buildings and houses in the exhibit are created out of natural materials such as leaves, wood, vines and the like. They had models of several DC landmarks as well as little cottages, tree houses, and other small creations that looked as if they were straight out of a fairy tale. The kids still liked the trains best.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Quote of the Day
Eleanor (after a few minutes of being in her room for her "nap"):
"I seem to not be sleeping."
True enough.
"I seem to not be sleeping."
True enough.
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