Here's to the Losers

Lily: Why was I born before Jack? I think I was born first because you thought I was cuter. Just one of the latest questions/comments from Lily...

Lily had a good week at school and Jack had a fun week hanging with Jonah and Beatrice. Jack actually only has 3 more weeks left with Jonah before Jonah goes to school full time - so Jack will be with Beatrice alone until about June, unless we find another toddler to share.

On Friday, Lily and Jack both had a great time at gymnastics, and then we had a visit from and lunch with Aunt Tracy, Uncle Stan, cousin Casey, Grandma Gail, and Grandpa Tom. Tracy, Stan and Casey are headed back to Colorado, but they might be back for a Halloween visit.

On Saturday, we headed to the Nationals game, we sat in the fifth row right behind home plate so we had a great view of the Nats losing to the Braves! The kids had a great time and Lily gave a high five to Screech the mascot. The kids enjoyed munching on popcorn, peanuts, and cracker jacks. Unfortunately, it started to rain so we had to leave a little early, but Jack was ready as he then took a three hour nap.

On Sunday, we had another loss by a D.C. team - the awful Redskins - and then had a post-game dinner with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis. We played a few rounds of Charades for kids, and Lily is pretty good at guessing and acting out the clues!

Enjoy the pics!


Jack serving himself some Kix.


You would think that we don't feed them.


Getting up close at the Nats game.


Talking with Screech.


Pre-game optimistic Redskin fans.


With Grandpa Maurice.


Jack moved his seat to sit near the window.

The New Year

Well we are fresh back from our trip to Montreal for the Rosh Hashanah holiday. A Southwest flight sale that was too good to pass up led us to fly to Albany and then drive the rest of the trip. In retrospect, we are not really sure that Lily and Jack are quite ready for a drive like that - or we aren't! It was no longer than our usual trip to the lake but the unknown distance and the flight before/after made it much harder on the kids. I will admit to great frustration in answering "are we there yet?" over and over again - especially to someone that has no concept of time.

Regardless of the travails of travel, the trip was well worth the effort. We got to spend some quality time with Bubbie and Aunt Donna, Uncle Stephen, Cousins Emilie and Stephanie and other great great aunts, a great great uncle and cousins. Lily and Jack had their first trip to synagogue on Saturday and Lily had the great honor of going up on the bemah (stage) with her great uncle Stephen. She suffered from zero stage fright (in front of 1000+ people) and came back to her seat beaming with pride. There was a big family dinner Saturday night and Lily got a Montreal birthday cake to share with Cousin Stephanie - complete with princesses.

On Sunday we visited the Biodome and the kids had a great chance to see some animals up close. Lily got to take some pictures with her camera and then we were off for more time with family and some playground and backyard time.

A huge thanks to our hosts who provided us with more food than we could ever eat and generous portions of their time. We had a great time and look forward to future visits. On to the pictures and videos from the week that was ...


Jack enjoying some pasta at Friday night's dinner. Lily did not eat much but made good friends with the little girl at the next table over.


Jack and Bubbie.


Backyard tee ball and golf.


Lily trying to take Jack's head off :)


Reading with cousin Em.


Playing out back with Uncle Stephen.


Clowning around at dinner.


Another round of happy birthday.


Lily with the princesses off the birthday cake.


The family.


Checking out the fish at the Biodome.


Our little photographer.

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With a macaroni penguin.


Relaxing with Cousin Stephanie.


Jack doing a little light reading.

Limbo Rock

Our little girl is now 5 years old!

On Thursday, Lily celebrated her 5th birthday - she enjoyed cupcakes at school with classmates, a mani/pedi, and her favorite chinese chicken for dinner.

On Friday, Lily and Jack had their first day of gymnastics - Lily is a 'sparkling star' and has no fear now - Jack is in a 'Mommy and Me' class and enthusiastically tried everything. He loves to hang on the monkey bars! We spent the rest of day hanging with Grandma Gail, Aunt Tracy, and Casey. On Saturday, Mom, Lily and Jack spent a chilly day running errands and playing in the backyard and in the basement. Dad had his bike ride in the Gettysburg area and rode 62 miles before joining us for some dinner - great job Daddy!

Sunday morning we awoke to beautiful weather for Lily's 5th birthday luau! Lot of fun was had by all at the, including a moon bounce, the limbo, the swingset and playhouse. Lily had a fabulous time and is still talking about being 5 and all of the fun she had at the party with her friends.

Two more days at home and then a trip to Montreal...the activities never end!


Jack reading.


Lily getting her birthday manicure.


Patiently waiting for moonbounce setup to finish.


Jack in the moonbounce by himself.


Jack playing.


Pizza for lunch with all her friends.


The Limbo.


...


The art of distracting Jack.


The whole family in the moonbounce.


Happy Birthday.


Blowing out the candles.


Cupcake time.


Jack and Lily in the moonbounce.


Jack with his new ping pong paddle. He just likes walking around with it.


Jack, Lily and Casey.


A little lippy.


More.


And more.


Happy birthday, Lily.

Gravity Rides Everything

Where to begin ... it was a busy week around here. We had Lily's first week of school as the oldest in her class and some vacation to boot.

On Thursday we headed down to Williamsburg for a quick visit. We arrived late in the afternoon an wandered around Colonial Williamsburg. Since we were so late, there was not much to see but the kids had a chance to run around and burn off some energy. After a quick bite we headed off to the hotel to relax and get ready for the next day's big trip to Busch Gardens.

Friday we started off early with Jack waking us up at the crack of dawn. After breakfast we headed off to the amusement park. Lily and Jack had a great time and went on a bunch of rides and couldn't get enough. There were a bunch of things for the kids to do and we all had a great day.

Friday night we headed off to the Lake and a weekend of fun. Lily and Jack had a great time with Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom, Aunt Kelly and Cousin Casey. Lily had a good water ski session and had a good time riding on the various tubes.

On to the pictures and and videos.


In the stockade.


More stockade.


On Prince Elmo's Spire.


Riding the kiddie log flume. We all went on the real one later - Jack and I got soaked but he loved it.


Riding by themselves.


Lily on the airplane ride.


On the bumper cars -- Jack is a bit confused.


Smiling Jack.


A little lippy.


Riding the Elmo ride for the second time ... this time by herself.


With Ernie.


With Scottish Ernie. Bert looks like he had rough day.


With Grover.


Feeling for cookies.


With Prince Elmo.


Ready to ski with Kelly.


Skiing.


With Anna Grace ... The daughter of Aunt Kelly's friends who were visiting at the lake.