Mulberry Street

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II You may have noticed that I changed up 27, 28, and 29 - sorry to those of you who are trying out this month's challenge.  I failed on those assignments, so I made new ones up instead...which I can do, because this is my blog after all. 26. DARKNESS One way to light up a dark tunnel is to create an artistic moving light show.  I think it's pretty great and do do the kids.  We walk back and forth through the tunnel multiple times before moving on to the next exhibit.  @The National Gallery of Art - walkway between the east and west buildings. 27. STREET CORNER I am standing on the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th.  I am looking at the National Archives kitty corner from where I stand.  To the left is the Sculpture Garden, behind me is the National Gallery of Art, and to the right of me is the Federal Trade Commission building.  All from one street corner. 28. WHERE YOU ...

I think I have found the perfect book to help little ones learn about the consequences of lying.  This wonderful picture book by Evaline Ness left all of us, a little bit thoughtful, after we closed it's pages and set it aside for bed time.  There is no wonder why this book received The Caldecott Medal book award.  I loved everything about the it - the story, the pictures, and the feel (honest and practical, yet whimsical).  From now on, I'm going to use the words "moonshine" and "real" to help my little ones learn to tell the truth.

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II 25. TIME We are lucky to live so close to the National Mall.  When we spend time there, I realize how much I love soaking in the sights and sounds.  I hope my kids can grow up with an appreciation of our country.  We are lucky to have peace in our homes, good education programs, and access to just about anything our hearts desire.  Sometimes, I think we take all those things for granted, but they are all things that took time to develop.  

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II 22. LARGER THAN LIFE Genevieve meeting Einstein up close and personal. 23. SOMETHING YOU READ My name looks great when someone else writes it out.  My handwriting was once described as "boy's handwritting." 24. MAKES YOU SMILE Light reflecting through the crystals hanging from the window sills, just like my grandmother's used to do in her home.

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II 19. GRATITUDE I am grateful that this man is my best friend. 20. IN YOUR BAG Running essentials - socks, shoes, sunscreen.  Not so essential, but nice to have on hand - a watch, a hair brush, a towel, glasses, deodorant, a hat, and clothes.  Really, in this heat, the towel is more essential than the clothes.  Running in humidity is a hot and sweaty business. 21. REFLECTION Sunburned.  This NEVER happened to my firstborn child.  Obviously, this photo is a reflection of my current parenting skills.  What happened?!  What is it about your second or third or fourth or whatever-number-child that makes your parenting skills fall of a cliff?  I'm sorry Emory.  I'm really sorry.

Emory singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

After four weeks of swimming lessons, Genevieve is done.  It has been so thrilling to watch her comfort and ability increase in the water.  My favorite teaching technique from class - Chicken, Airplane Soldier (arm movement rotation to propel your body through the water while floating on your back).  Now I don't worry about her drowning, which is great, because Emory needs my full attention at the pool.  Without warning, he'll jump into the pool rather gleefully.  Gratefully, I've been within arms reach all four times he's done that.

The grand finale of swimming lessons?  A jump of the diving board.  I'm on the fence as to whether or not I'll still insist Genevieve wear her life jacket in the deep parts.  I just worry about her getting tired.

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II 16. WATER Genevieve learning the crawl stroke and breathing rotation. 17. TRANSPORTATION An evening at the Vienna Metro Station. 18. CANDID Making memories with Great-Grandma Joyce.

Cats have been a big part of my life.  My family had cats before I was born and we always had one or more during my childhood. We loved them and cared for them all their lives and they really became a part of our family.  Now that I have my own family, we have a cat of our own- Bisous. I think it is important to have a pet. Among other things, there are important lessons they teach you regarding responsibility, compassion, and death. Monet, my sister's cat died.  I wish I could give Audrey a big hug in person.   Monet was a good cat and he will be missed. We are grateful for his companionship and graceful tolerance of little people. Rest in peace MoMo.

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II 15.  FAMILY It so happens that my wonderful sister's birthday is today, so a photo of us together is fitting.  Happy Birthday Angela.  I love you very much!  I also remember my grandmother on the 15th of July.  She died three years ago today. I love her very much too.  (The flashback photo is from 2007, when Genevieve had a head full of fuzz.)

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II First, may I admit, that it is much harder to keep up with this challenge this time around.  I don't know if it's the heat keeping me indoors or the lack of motivation or the desire to do anything that makes my kids happy (they don't love me toting my camera around all the time...surprise surprise).  There, now the pressure should be gone, and maybe I can get on top of this... 12.  TINY PARTS I had no idea how many tiny parts come with one doll set.  Genevieve has many doll sets.  They were never a real issue until Emory discovered how to push Genevieve's buttons (and mine for that matter).  Genevieve will be playing alone, quite content, when Emory seizes the opportunity to barge in and dump all the tiny parts.  Genevieve commences screaming, Emory commences scattering, and I commence hiding.  If I ignore them, they have to figure things out on their own...right? 13.  GIANT PARTS Someday it would be...

You know what?  Motherhood is hard.  (Here is where I disclaim the fact you will get no sugar coating in this post.  My sister-in-law recently commented on how fun our lives are, based on all my "pretty pictures."  Well, I don't blog about the crappy parts much, because I'd rather move past them and stay focused on the good stuff.  Not that this post is crappy, just honest.) I have often joked with my father about how I dislike being a "grownup."  There are too many responsibilities, way too much stress, and a lot more work than I remember signing up for.  Motherhood is that one "grownup" responsibility that is a daily struggle.  It must be, if the first thing Eric asks me at the end of the day is, "How did today go?" (Am I really that transparent?)  Each day I wake up to a variety of sounds and, depending on which sound is the loudest, sets my mood for the day.  I love waking up to soft chatter, infused with "Mommy" her...

PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE - TAKE II 8. SUNNY 9. PARK 10. STOREFRONT 11. DOORWAY