Swimming Pool

Lily has essentially recovered from her eye injury - it was pretty bad Monday and Tuesday but the swelling went down by Wednesday and the bruise is essentially gone.  Lily seems no worse for the wear and is excited to go skiing in Colorado in a few weeks.

On Tuesday, Mom and the kids went to the Churchill vs Quince Orchard high school basketball game, it was either Districts or Regionals (?) - unfortunately Churchill lost.  The kids did get to see Gheorge Muresan (formerly of the Washington Bullets) for the second time since they also saw him at the Wizards game.  (Dad fled to Arizona in anticipation of Snowquester and left us to fend for ourselves through the torrential snowstorm.)

Wednesday brought Snowquester and we were ready for 10-16 inches but the storm ended up as a complete bust at least for us.  School was cancelled, work was cancelled, and while it did snow there was little to no accumulation because it was so wet and heavy - by the afternoon it was rainy and slushy.  The kids ended up building forts inside instead of snow forts!

Thursday it was back to school and work.

We had a gorgeous weekend and the kids spent lots of time outside riding bikes/scooters, playing on the playground, and hanging with neighborhood kids.

Lily also wrapped the swim season with her 'Mini Champs' meet - thanks for coming to watch Grandma Gail.

Overall she had a good season, improving a half second in 25 free and 4 seconds in 50 free.  She has a few more weeks of just practice (cutting down to just once a week) and then she may take off a few weeks before the summer season begins - she is excited for summer swim team!

Lacrosse practice starts this week for Lily, and soccer starts for Jack at his school.  He is actually playing in two leagues, one thru school and one with his future kindergarten classmates (which starts after spring break).

Hope everyone has a good week!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Lily's eye on the mend.


With Grandma Gail at the swim meet.


On the block.


Some freestyle.



Being a clown at the yogurt store.

Black Eyes, Blue Tears

Not much new to report this week.   Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom had an extended visit on Tuesday night as they watched Lily and Jack while Marcy and I went to the Caps game.  On Wednesday, Grandpa Maurice came into town and we had a nice visit.

On Saturday we headed up to Whitetail to go skiing for the day and to allow the kids to get their mountain legs back before our annual Colorado trip.  All went well until Lily was taken out a by a rookie snowboarder.  She and I were stopped waiting for Jack who had fallen down when a guy kind of lost control and took her out.  Unfortunately, as she was falling, his board came up and clipped her in the eye right above her goggles and below her helmet.  As you can see below, it left a temporary mark. She is on the mend now but it was very good fortune that she was wearing goggles and a helmet.

On Sunday, Jack and I went downtown with Grandpa Maurice and had a nice lunch. Lily was in Sunday school and then the two of us when to the Lady Terps basketball game.  After the game, we had a quick dinner out and everyone came home for an early  bedtime.

Special 40th birthday wishes to Uncle Stan today.

Not too many pics but there are a few videos below.


Lily and Jack skiing.


Jack skiing ... and falling.


Lily's shiner.


After the fall.


Jack coming through the mini-tunnel.


In serious conversation with Grandpa Maurice.

Oceans & Streams

We are back after a two week hiatus.  We had a busy time away from the blog and are now back into the swing of things.

Lily and Jack both had nice Valentine's Day celebrations at their schools and had fun trading cards with their friends.  On Friday, Marcy, Lily and Jack headed down to Florida to join me there for the long weekend.  We had a nice time visiting with Grandpa Maurice and Grandma Phyllis during the weekend and we had the great bonus of seeing Great Uncle Simon, Great Aunt Ruby and Cousins Lisa, Kevin, Adam, Matthew and Samara.  Lily and Jack had a lot of fun hanging out with their older cousins.

While in Florida we had some time at the beach, some time at the pool and we visited Parrot Jungle Island in Miami with Grandpa Maurice.  Despite the colder than anticipated weather, everyone had a great time.

Lily and Jack came back to finish off the week of school and also had their usual swimming and piano regimens.  On Friday, Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom came over and took the kids bowling in the afternoon (it was a half day of school).  On Saturday, we ran some errands in the morning and then we headed downtown during the evening to go the Wizards' basketball game.  We had some great seats and the kids had a great time.  On Sunday, Lily had Hebrew school in the morning and Jack and I picked her up and headed to the Purim Carnival.  After a visit to the Carnival the kids were off to swim lessons and then Lily had her friend Sofia's birthday party.  To close out the weekend our friends Sarah and Derek and little Adam stopped by for a quick visit as they were in the neighborhood.

Here is the photo recap pictures ...


Reviewing V-Day goodies from Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom.


At Parrot Jungle Island.


Checking out the tortoises.


Feeding goats.


...


Riding a camel ...


... not so comfortable.


Monkeying around.


With Grandpa Maurice.


Warming up in the hot tub with Adam, Matthew and Samara.


At sunset.


On the beach.


Digging.


Before the game at our seats.


After the game with some very extra large t-shirts!

Basket Case

Not much new to report on this end.  Another week with few pictures but here is what happened.

• We had our regular Tuesday visit with Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom.
• Lily had swimming and piano lessons.
• Jack had ice skating but was a bit under the weather on Saturday so he missed his last basketball session.  He made a quick 24 hour recovery and was all better by Sunday.  Special thanks to Aunt Kelly (and Bodie) who bailed us out on Saturday afternoon and watched Jack while we had to go out.
• Lily had a friend's birthday party on Saturday and both kids had swimming on Sunday.

A better post in two weeks when we get back from a short trip to Florida.  In the interim, we all want to wish a special a happy birthday wish to Bubbie whose birthday is on Valentine's Day.

Our new basketball hoop.  We swapped out the old one since it was not adjustable and it was hard for the kids to shoot at that height.

This should provide many hours of fun over the years.

Taking a walk, deep in conversation.

Swimming Pool

A very busy week around here again and very few pictures to show for it!

Here is the rundown ...

Lily had her weekly piano lesson and she improved a lot from the previous week.  She seems to be remembering more from before and amazing what a difference some practice makes.  Lily also had her regular swim practice and a Saturday and Sunday meet.

Jack had his ice skating lessons and basketball.  Basketball is almost over and we will take a break from Saturday morning activities until tee-ball starts.  Ice skating will probably continue and he will move up to the hockey skates class.

On Friday, Jack had a play date with his friend Beckett and Lily had her friend Alexa over.  Everyone had a good time.

On Saturday, it was a swim meet and then a few errands before a relaxing night at home.  On Sunday, it was day two of the swim meet (Jack and I skipped the second session) and Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom came to watch.  After the swim meet we had lunch out and then headed over to our neighbors house for a Super Bowl viewing party.  Everyone had a great time.

That is all for now.  Here are some pictures and videos from the pool.








Jack keeping busy at the pool.



Lily on the blocks.  Her face is cut in half by the rope but you get the idea of how many kids are there.