Halloween preview! For Graham, that is

OK, so Graham and Julia found whisks in my kitchen drawers...they thought they were terrific! Not sure the pose Julia's taking...
Graham, initially, wanted to be a fireman...JULIA said "Be a Roman Soldier"...so, Roman Soldier it is!
Love the hat...now, all Graham said he needed was a sword!

Uh-oh

Super Children!

Can I have a pink Car, mommy, please?

Super ComEd Man!

Daddy on Call

Daddy's girl

Best Friends Forever

What? Daddy can't breathe?

Oop! Maybe we should try something else, Julia!

Is this better?

Fatherhood: It's all about balancing!

There! Balanced!

Photos...photos

Julia and her 'triplets' ...

Baby dolls

smiling

My girl, Julia!

Graham and Julia, heading off to school..

Beauties!

Haircuts

Before starting school in late August, Graham and Julia had to cut the 'sand' out of their hair...Julia's blond streaks -- the result of lots and lots of Italian sun -- remained, and she was thrilled with the little braid Nina, the hairdresser, gave her.
Graham, who had repeated over and over "don't cut my curls"... alas, watched as his curls disappear. He then became so, so proud of his new little boy haircut.

Is that me?

By golly, I like it!

Week 3 of school done!

A full week done, and Graham and Julia are walking around, singing French songs, and using words that make it clear that Terence and I need to start our own French lessons soon!

LOVE the school, but I still do not like the morning routine...we'll adjust. Graham and Julia were actually awake at 6:45 am on Friday morning--a true difference to the other mornings, when I had to drag them out of bed between 7:45 - 8:00. I know it'll get better, as they get on a sleep schedule.
Then some smart aleck (or doomsdayer, the type of person I roll my eyes at, the type who states the obvious and then who likes to remind me how much my children won't like me when they are 13...please, just let me enjoy these loving 3 yr old moments!)
Anyhow, this person Reminded Me that we go to daylight savings soon...groan! Alas, just when I start getting the children out of bed at a certain hour, the Universe will laugh at me again and we'll have to readjust to the new clock.
A photo of my lovelies!

Aug 30, 2011: First day of School at WIS

Julia, fashionable as ever...note the backpacks--Julia's represents a pink mouse, Graham's, as ever, is a fire truck! (and what do they put in their backpacks? Trucks for Graham...a stuffed kitty for Julia...and the SNACK)

Time sure does fly...Graham and Julia began at Washington International School, in the French immersion program, on Tuesday, August 30. Graham inSISTED on wearing his suit jacket, and wanted to know where his tie was (it doesn't fit anymore!).

Hmmm. Wonder who he got that from?

First day of school: After

Tired teddy bears! They looked like they were sleepwalking when I picked them up at noon ...

"I'm tired from speaking all of that French all day" (Graham)

"Mommy, I'm too tired to tell you what we did today" (Julia)

This will take time to adjust !!

What a life!

Princess Kate and Prince William...

Graham, in one of his 'houses' build of beach 'wraps'...at the pool...

This is the Life!

Building his little 'house' at the pool.

Yes, more! Italy!

The private swimming cove at our host's home...

The view from the swim cove

Hm. I may have already posted this one...Porto Ercole with Julia and Graham, in town ... I liked my new hat ;)

A view of Il Pelicano...next door to where we stay...this hotel is where celebrities anchor their yachts and spend the night...Our view was so much better!

Lovely Julia

Daddy and The Celebrity Girl

Graham smells the olive leaves

Hmmm. Still no scent!

Guess I'll settle for olive oil next time!

Crashed out family

Something you'll never see in DC (sideways or 'upright'): Terence and Graham watching TV... Graham loved the Italian news because on the first day, he saw a firetruck on the news! By day 3, he reported that there were no more firetrucks...yet, when asked to come to dinner, he'd retort:

"I'm watching TV, mommy!"

Which is why he doesn't watch it in DC...

Which is why--at least to Graham and Julia--'there is only TV in Italy'

and Videos on planes

ha! How long will that explanation last? Lookit me! I'm on top of the world!

Happy girl

Making art from stones salvaged from the Mediterranean

Building trains and 'stuff' on the bed

Impish eyes!

Hey, Look!

All of their worldly belongings, piled onto the bed

Watch me walk on this dangerous ledge! (Not!)

BFF