Mulberry Street

We converted the dining room into our homeschooling home-base.  I imagine we will be tweaking ideas, schedules and assignments as we figure this out.

Difficult Run Supreme Court US Capitol Marine Corps War Memorial

Grandma Kristy has a pillow fight with the kids. YouTube Video

It's official. Since turning two, Emory has entered the terrible two's. Though, it isn't as bad as you might think. Emory communicates much better now and because of that, we can disarm him and get through dicey situations better than before.  He has begun asking the incessant questions - why?  Emory has also began asserting his will and, expressing with great enthusiasm, his displeasure at having to do certain things.  Eric and I often remark how very different Emory is from his sister, and since we have no idea what decisions to make for him, we hope they are the right ones. Emory loves Genevieve and wants to do and say and be everything that she does, says or pretends to be.  Only, now he wants to interact with her on his own terms.  Six months ago, he would let Genevieve dress him up and he would do anything she told him to.  Today, Emory has an opinion and doesn't give up his favorite toys to big sister, quite so easily.  These interactions are...

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 ...

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...