Bennett update

New shoes mean its like learning to walk all over again!

Loving the mirror and naked time before bed when we are all lounging around and being silly.


Enjoying some time telling me stories.


New skill. He used to climb to the top and stand and whine for me, but now he sits down and slides!


and in all of this commotion. madeline wanted us not to forget her so she was jumping on the bed and called out 'take a picture of me!'
okay

Biking -DC

We took the afternoon and spent it biking and picnicking in dc last week with friends. The kids and I have really enjoyed the Chariot bike attachment so that the three of us can hit pavement during the afternoons.

We went from National Airport's Gravelly Point (where the planes takeoff) along a beautiful waterside bike route to the reflecting pool.



We had lunch alongside the duck pond
Here is Bennett after lunch, helping Henry to a refreshment


Rebecca's dad loves his power boat and so did the kids... not so much the geese...



and dipped toes (don't tell) at the war memorial.






Madeline has been studying Transportation in school and it was awesome to see virtually every form in one day!
Airplanes, helicopter, sailboats and motorboats, kayaks, bicycles of all sorts, strollers, rollerblades, scooters, motorcycles, cars, trucks, suvs, buses, trains, and even a policeman on horesback!
Awesome day- Thanks to Rebecca and the kids for inviting us to tagalong with her folks for the afternoon- they were awesome helping with the chasing of the kids and the bike pack-up!


xoxo

the hunt continues

we are still on the hunt for the cupcakery to take the place of
Magnolia for me and Sibby's for Don.
There are some contenders but none take the cake.

For now we are trying to eat at least 4 cupcakes a week from Georgetown Cupcake just to make sure we have really explored our options there.

and i quote

Madeline was playing with her dolls and said 'Arnie is from Chicago'
I asked her, because i know I have never talked to her about Chicago, where she heard that city's name. And she said:
'Mommy, the President used to live there".

Well, okay then...

Also, Bennett got his 8th tooth yesterday, is working on climbing safetly down the stairs since he has been crawling up for months now.
Madeline has been gardening every day, planting seeds and hoping to see sprouts soon.
She has also been identifying birds in our neighborhood- sparrows, robins, cardinals, bluejays, wren etc. She has really gotten into the outdoors this month and has loved our bike trips.
Bennett is obsessed with dogs and squeals and runs to every one he sees. He is remarkably good at petting gently.

Yesterday on our bike ride Bennett and his friend Henry (almost 1 yr) were together in the chariot bike trailer. Bennett spent the whole ride giving Henry his straw-cup, raising it to henry's lips and holding it for him to drink.
At the same time, Madeline has made a great deal with her friend, Sophie who likes to push and at the playground the girls work together on the swings.
It has been amazing to see these two developing real friendships.

Madeline has been able to go to bed with the sitter once a week for months now. She is a great night sleeper and napper too! It took 3 years but finally! Bennett still naps 2x/day with no problem as long as we are home. He is beginning to nurse less frequently and for shorter durations, likes milk in a cup and i can see his nursing lasting well under the 2 years Madeline's did. That is bittersweet for me but i look forward to getting out either with Don or alone every now and then without the fear that he wont eat or sleep.
They boy eat such a well balanced diet, begging for apricots, pretzels or fruit for their treats and gobbling edamame, beans and other healthy foods for snacks.

Madeline has become really focused on following the rules and is great at reminding me for example not to talk with my mouth full and to look both ways before crossing the street.

The kids love spending time playging together and squeal with laughter first thing in the morning when bennett crawls to madeline to put his head on hers for a cuddle.

They are growing in so many ways and we are so lucky to be a part of their transformation(s). Of course we have our roller-coaster days but more often than not, we count ourselves as blessed to have eachother and to have these amazing kids.

Spring fun in and out

Madeline had her friends over for a run through the sprinkler and had a great time!




and Bennett showing off his fancy footwork. He gets EVERYWHERE now!

easter fun continued

We are lucky to know so many great families in the area.
On Easter sunday we were lucky to spend the morning with Madeline's friend Megan and her family (older brother Ryan) and his buddies Isaac and Gus. Lucky for us Isaac and Madeline are good pals too. The kids got along great and Georgina, Megan's mom had all sorts of fun activites planned. What a blast.

South Mountain Creamery

We headed over to the dairy farm where we get our milk, eggs etc (they deliver to our door in glass jars!) yesterday with our friends, the Boncos (Sophie and Henry are good friends of Madeline and Bennett and Rebecca and I have a ton in common too! we are so lucky!).

The kids had a blast EVEN THOUGH i think the highlight was playing at chic-fil-a on the way home... oh well :)
Here is a slideshow of our pics and videos below:

Listen for the classic 'moo'


bennett is an animal lover. hear him squeal?


madeline taking care to feed the sick calf at the end of the line. he was a little fierce but she was not afraid. it is exhausting work but she kept it up so he'd be fed.

spring zoo day!

what a great day for the zoo. nice and breezy and just after spring break so not TOO many field trips ;)
We hosted playgroup today at the National zoo and got to see so many great sights~


The orangutans walking across the ropes to the think tank right over our heads!!




training of the baby elephant





pandas, tigers and lions and we got up close with the prairie dogs and turles.


(did you see the alligator?)


And on the way out, a close encounter with the wolf who guards the lower gate;)


Woo hoo for a cooperative group today!


(did you notice Rebecca hoisting 3 kids at once to see the lions- so funny how our kids almost always seem to want to be with the other mom!) they did this amazing 'Roar' just as we got there- perfect!


Madeline demonstrating her orangutan skills on our way to the parking lot...

Gravelly Point

We have taken to biking a lot with our friends, the Boncos (Sophie and Henry, Rebecca and Radim) recently. So for our real maiden voyage, the moms took the kids to Aiport Park in DC where if you throw a tennis ball, you could actually make contact with the planes they are so close!


Bennett was ecstatic about the takeoffs at National and Madeline and Sophie seemed to just be happy frolicking in the sun, climbing trees and being out on the bike.



(above- keeping the boys confined while we gear up our bikes)
What a day!


Then we went for another ride the following day, to town square






where we sweetened the deal with cupcakes from the new shop in town! It had just been rebecca's birthday so of course it was cause for sangria and celebration!





stay tuned for more adventures. Today we biked to and from school twice! with a pit-stop for picnic and italian ices at Carmen's. Im thinking of taking the kids over to rock creek park over the weekend. we'll see!