Hurricane

Lots of wind blowing outside as the storm formerly known as Hurricane Sandy passes through.  Somehow, power has managed to stay on tonight.  Lily and Jack had school canceled today and tomorrow and work has been canceled for both Marcy and I on both days.  It is a bit of a mess out there.

We had a busy week which was highlighted by Jack's first ride around the block on his bike without training wheels.  Lily had her regular swimming during the week along with Brownies.

On Friday, Jack worked on riding his bike without training wheels and he seems to have it almost down now.  Friday night dinner was out with Grandpa Maurice who was in town for the week and provided baby sitting services on Wednesday night.

On Saturday, Jack had his second week of flag football - he seems to be really catching on.  In the afternoon the kids had a bounce house party and had a great time.  In the evening Lily had a splash down party with her swim team.

Sunday was busy as we readied for Hurricane Sandy.  Lily had Hebrew School in the morning and then we were at the Kennedy Center in the afternoon for a kid's concert with the National Symphony Orchestra. After the show, we came home and carved pumpkins with Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom and Aunt Kelly, and celebrated Stuart's/Dad's birthday.

Sending out special birthday hugs and kisses to Great Aunt Donna who celebrates her birthday on Sunday!
Also sending out special thoughts to cousin Emilie in Manhattan who is currently without power and holed up in a hotel!

Happy Halloween!!



Two wheeling.



Jack riding his bike. (Note:  The tree that you see right in front of him, the entire tree came down in the hurricane, fortunately no damage.)

Number 5 in your program, number 1 in your heart ... playing some zone defense.



Hula hooping.

Jack and Clancy.


Dr. Lily (the vet) and Jack the blue power ranger @ The Kennedy Center.


Jack making a silly a face.


Fiddle practice.


Lily with some amateur face paint (she washed it off as soon as she got home). :)


Playing the harp after the kids concert.

Games Without Fronteirs

A normal busy week around here - no rest for the weary.  Marcy and I both had colds all week but the kids fared just fine - perhaps all the chlorine protects them!


Lily had her normal week of swimming but a short week of school as the there was no school on Friday for a teacher work day. Lily is working hard at school and making new friends.

Jack had his normal week of school and is working hard on his letters.

On Friday night, we had all the neighborhood kids over that recently moved in. In the past year, nine kids under nine have all moved into our little circle. The newest family with two girls Lily's age just moved in across the street last week. It is nice as there are no shortage of kids to play with! All the kids had a great time - and it was a very noisy affair! We had a nice time getting to know our new neighbors as well.

On Saturday, Jack had his first day of flag football which was a big hit. We also continued to work with Jack on his two wheel riding. He is coming along well. We also visited the pumpkin patch and picked up our carving pumpkins. Later on that evening, the kids had a babysitter and a fun time playing hide and seek with Kate.

On Sunday, Jack had his first day of Hebrew School and had a great time. Lily was there too so it was a quiet morning of running errands.  In the afternoon Jack went to a birthday party for one of his classmates and Lily went for a play date at Maddie's house. Needless to day, everyone slept well Sunday night.

Posting by Marcy: Lily and Jack want to send out special birthday wishes to Dad who celebrates his birthday on Wednesday.



All the kids.


Practicing his kicks.


Getting ready for the play.


...


Hike.


Touchdown!


At the patch.


Picking pumpkins.


Looking for the biggest.


Carrying it home.


...


Feeding the goats.


On the river.

Treasure (Whatever Happened to Pete the Chop)

We had a special visitor this weekend to cap off a great week around here.  In addition to our normal visit from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom, and the kids weekly swimming, and another football game for Jack ... Lily got to bring home Petey the Penguin, her class mascot.  Lily had a great weekend showing Petey around.

On Friday night, Petey got to have movie night with Lily and Jack. On Saturday, Petey ran some errands and got to have lunch at Bagel City!  On Saturday night, Petey went with Lily to a sleepover birthday party at her friend Chelsea's house.  Sunday was a bit of a lazy day for Petey but I think he did go to the pool with Marcy and Lily for some additional swimming.  This is a very busy place for penguins.

We also worked with Jack on his biking without training wheels this weekend.   He is making progress slowly but surely.  He seems to have the hang of it but he stops pedaling when Marcy lets go so all forward progress comes to a halt!  It will come soon enough.

Here are the pictures from the weekend.


Petey taking a ride.


Lily and Petey eating lunch.


Self portrait.


Petey and the gang at a sleepover.


Petey hanging out with Julie and Ivy.


Homework.


Jack working on his homework.


At the game.


Stretching out.


Celebrating the big win!

Wet, Wet, Wet

Fall activities are in full swing in these parts and we finally have the weather to match the season ...  The kids had busy weeks with school and activities.  They also took some time out to decorate for Halloween - the yard is covered in cob webs with a scarecrow and a tombstone among other things.

Lily had a bunch of swimming with her first meet on Saturday.  She had a great time and swam really well.  She continues to improve from the summer and I am sure her skills will continue to improve from here.  Jack is continuing with his swim lessons and will be ready to join Lily on the team next year!  Plenty of pictures below!

On Tuesday, we had our weekly visit with Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom.  Cousins Wes, Trisha and Colin also visited for dinner.  Lily and Jack had a great time playing with Colin.

On Friday night we went to our new synagogue for the first time as Lily and Jack had their first event there to kick off the hebrew school year.  Jack got to hang out with his friend Nate and both Lily and Jack had a good time.  Grandpa Maurice was in town so he joined us for the event.

Saturday was Lily's first meet.  She swam freestyle, back stroke and breast stroke.  She had large cheering contingent as Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom and Aunt Kelly all came over for some time at the pool.

On Sunday Lily and Marcy had a quiet day around the house and Jack and I went to the Redskin's game.  It was a bit chilly but fortunately, the rain held off until the game was almost over.  After a busy weekend, Jack slept well last night - before going to bed, Marcy checked in on him and found him fast asleep on the floor.  He had fallen out of bed and had not even woken up!

Today was Open House at Lily's school - parents could come observe the classroom.  We got to see Lily in music class practicing her Thanksgiving play, and Lily in her classroom doing some reading comprehension.  She has a great teacher and class.

Anyway, here are the pictures and video from the week.


With Colin.


Green goggles.  Getting ready for warm up.


In the pool.


Getting ready for her first race.


The fans.


Taking the blocks for her 25 breast stroke race.



The freestyle video.


Finishing up freestyle.


The backstroke video.


Jack ready for the game.


Drinking some water at the game.

The Suburbs

A quiet week in these parts.

We went to an Orioles game, celebrated Yom Kippur, Lily did lots of swimming and Jack worked on lots of arts and crafts at school.  Lily's swimming continues to improve and she seems to be enjoying her new team.  Her first meet is this weekend!

The weekend was nice and quiet.  We did some stuff around the house and went out to dinner a couple of times.  On Sunday night we visited with cousins Wes, Trisha and Colin who are in town from Kentucky along with Grandma Gail, Grandpa Tom and Aunty Kelly.

Here are the pictures from the week.


At the Orioles' game with Grandpa Tom and friends Maddie and Mr. Greg.


Talking baseball with Grandpa Tom.  Not long after this shot the two of them were on the big screen as Jack was dancing along to the music.


Clowning around on movie night - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.


Lily showing off the hole from the tooth that was pulled on Friday.


Jack's Pirate Pumpkin.


Lily working on her black cat pumpkin.


Jack's drawing is on the bottom.