Dancing in the surf, digging holes in the sand...beach time

We went to check on Gramma Dot last weekend, and she lives near Betheny Beach. Julia packed her own (pink) goodies...

We spent lovely time with Gramma Dot, who is still painting at age 92 (or almost 92)...

And we spent some well needed time at the beach. It was wonderful to see how Graham and Julia love the beach as much as I do (and Terence does as well). Graham spent his time digging holes, and trying to 'catch' water, throwing sand back into the ocean and generally just thrilled that he was playing on the beach.

Julia and I built sand castles, and she danced on the shore one evening when I took the children for a couple of hours just at sunset...it was magical, but it truly makes me miss spending summers on Lake Michigan ... all days walking the beaches and collecting driftwood and just 'being' ...

On the way back, we stopped at Hemingway's...a restaurant with a fabulous view of the Bay Bridge on the 'other side' (Eastern Shore) of the bridge...all in all, I'd like to do the trip all over again--it was magical!

 

 Julia puts her things at the back door: a rolling suitcase, a wicker basket for "Boo" -- her stuffed doggie, a Hello Kitty sleeping bag (which she used during the trip), and a box with some water toys in it.

 Gramma Dot is thrilled to see her little ones!

 Graham plays with his magna tiles while we wait at Mickey's for dinner.

 Jules entertains herself by drawing.

 Voila!

 Graham, our littl man

 Graham dug 'cave like' holes in the 'walls' of his beach 'hole...amazing Atlantic waves, crashing hard behind him.

 Julia and her sand castles

 The Bay Bridge, view from Hemingway's Restaurant

 Graham and Julia at Gramma Dot's

Why children should not go shopping with mom

So, after Terence's birthday event at his office, the children and I went to Target to get Julia a bathing suit, Graham some boat shoes etc...and assorted other clothes for the children (mostly, ahem, Julia).
It's gotten to the point where I NEED to have Julia with me as I shop for her either online or in a store, as she has her definite likes and dislikes...and it's silly to toss money away on something she won't wear--which has happened in the past, as it took awhile for her to get old enough to 'participate' in building her 'wardrobe' (read: Hello, Kitty! pieces...and other assorted 'stuff').

Throughout this trip, Graham was a goofy...truly a silly boy, finding 'stuff' to buy, then returning it.
Among his items?
A Huge metal Peacock sculpture for a yard...followed by a smaller Pink Flamingo sculpture...followed by...egads...the following photo will give you the visual...
I looked into the shopping cart and saw a frightening "Mohawk Helmet" for god knows what!

Julia, the self proclaimed "Hula Hoop Queen" found two hula hoops that actually light up.

Enjoy. We did make it out of Target without purchasing an expensive swimming pool, another bike or two, but we did buy a Hello Kitty sleeping bag, as well as one featuring a Cars motif.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Terence's birthday was yesterday, June 26. Sherry, a long time loyal person in his office, called me last week and invited the children and I to a 'surprise' lunch for Terence...with all of his hard work over the past 9 months (well, 30 years), she wanted him to feel loved and supported. Thank you, Sherry!

Indeed, Terence was quite surprised when he opened the 'kitchen' door and there I was with the children...Graham and Julia had made a poster, with a map of the world and the message 'we give you the world' ... thank you, Washington International School for broadening their view of the world...and thank you, Terence, for working so hard for all of us and being such a great daddy!

xxoo

 

Our little leaves @ The WIS Movement show

The Four Seasons was the theme at the Washington International School's Pre-K and K annual movement show this morning.
There were winter snowflakes and children who built snowmen; fish and surfers and sunbathers in the summer; flowers growing in the spring.

And then, there were...Autumn Leaves!!

Graham and Julia were leaves. Wonderful leaves. Talented leaves. The most lovely leaves Terence and I have ever, ever witnessed.
This morning, I told Graham that I'd like to be a leaf. He responded with such honesty: "I don't know, mommy, the costumes they made are quite small. I don't think they'd fit you." Love that boy!

So, in honor of our little leaves, here are some photos...videos to come.

Graham the leaf 

 Julia, sweet Julia

 Julia and Rebecca, her Wonderful Belgian teacher for the past 2 years in Pre-K

 Graham and Daddy

 Daddy's leaves

 Strike a pose

 Bryn, Julia, Bramm, Jibril, Makram & Darren

Bryn, Jules and Bramm 

Fun with Mame and Andy, at Rose Park Biking

Mame...family, friend, the person we turn to for ... well, just about anything, as Mame can resolve just about any question/situation/you name it...she can do it...we love our Mame, and feel so lucky to get to play with her! And, as you can see from the photo--we also love Andy, Mame's husband. Yesterday Mame met me on P Street to take the children to Rose Park, where they rode their 'real' bicycles with training wheels around. And around. And around the park..G-man getting caught from time to time in the grass...or other places on the playground where he rode his bike...

Andy met us later, and posed with Julia for this sweet sweet shot. Note the 2 cactus plants (next to the Heineken bottle) that Julia chose at Safeway. Really? A pink Cactus? Only Jules could find one in Washington, DC.

Here's to loving our Mame and Andy! Thank you!!!

 

Birthday Party, Captain Silly Bones and Hello Kitty Nail/Hair spa

 

 

Easter 2013 Evermay & Gramma Grace

Easter was very special this year, for two reasons. First, we got to see Gramma Grace, albeit briefly. The first few pictures below are of us giving Gramma Grace her Easter Basket...Graham did his 'disappearing man' act...so you will see his hand and leg, then finally, his head...he is at a fun, sweet silly age!



The second reason this Easter was so special was because Terence and I took the children on an Easter Egg Hunt at Evermay, the gorgeous estate where we were married in 2007. Evermay is a gorgeous, gracious Federal mansion in Georgetown, with rolling lawns. I was pleasantly surprised to feel as 'at home' and 'special' as I did on June 16, 2007.

The new owner of Evermay actually greeted us--she and her husband own a pharmaceutical company. The Easter Bunny was there, as well as a pianist who performed an elegant concert before the Easter Egg Hunt.

It was special to share the day with Graham and Julia, who know we were married at Evermay, and often ask to go there...I hope we go again soon, for a concert. -- Enjoy the pictures!