A Jammin' Week on Friday, February 10, 2012

We continue to love this mild winter. I am very excited with my new 'two-wheel scooter'. Who would have thought that I would have such awesome weather to scoot. Though, I do my share of scooting inside--we have pulled up all of the hallway carpets, and I have a pretty good track! Last Saturday we went to the auto show. Ironically, it took a car ride to the Metro station, then a short Metro ride, then a Metro shuttle bus ride (we were rerouted due to track maintenance), then back on the Metro to arrive at the Convention Center to look at cars--lots of vehicle rides to look at vehicles-cool! The journey was just as much fun as the destination. My favorite cars this year included the Ford Mustangs, Fiat (which Dad got to ride in), and the Nissan Leaf.Other highlights of the week included the Super Bowl (my favorite commercial featured the french bulldog racing in his Skechers), my floor hockey class, crafting and making Valentines (and messes), and the evolution of playgroup meetings to wrestling matches. (I suppose this was inevitable with a group of energetic boys (and brothers) who have been friends for three and half years now.) And, we wrapped up the week with a family happy hour at Jammin' Java, listening to cool rock band, Rocknoceros.

A Noisy Weekend on Sunday, January 29, 2012

This past weekend was all about noise. From home improvements to monster trucks, I gave my ears a work out. Moppy and Pop came this weekend to help check off my mom's home task list, which included some new molding in the living room and a makeover for the front door. All I wanted to do was help! I got to do some drilling, sanding, and vacuuming (for some reason they kept me away from the painting). By Sunday morning, things had quieted down and only last coats of paint were being applied. But, that serenity of finished projects did not last long. Because we were headed to Monster Jam, one of the noisiest, craziest places I have ever been! Perhaps you know that I love about anything with wheels. And, the Monster Truck show featured some of the biggest wheels ever. I really liked when the trucks raced and did wheelies. Two of the trucks even flipped over; a back hoe and digger had to come out to flip them back over--way cool! And, of course, the Metro ride to and from the arena was most enjoyable as well. Ever since Sunday, I have told everyone I meet all about the Monster Jam!

The weekend started on Friday night with dinner at
Dogfish Head and the first of two trips to Home Depot

A Big Helper

Monster Trucks!

Shoot and Score on Tuesday, January 24, 2012

I am excited next week to start a new class, Floor Hockey. I can't think of a better thing to put in my hands that I can swing--a stick! To prepare myself and get my head in the game, we went to the Washington Capitals practice session. Though I will not donning skates in my new sport, it was pretty cool to watch those big guys glide across the ice, shoot, and score! I will keep you up to date on my hockey career.

Making the Most of a Little Snow on Saturday, January 21, 2012

All Aboard on Saturday, January 14, 2012

We made a great day trip to Baltimore today. The B&O Railroad Museum is quite a treasure. So many trains to see and even to step in to pull levers, push buttons, turn dials, and open fireboxes. We even rode a train and a train carousel. My favorite part was the huge toy train area and model trains--a fantastic model train display--cool! By the way, have I mentioned that I am really into trains; this was the perfect place for me. Now, if you ask my mom, her favorite part was lunch and dessert in Little Italy. A fun day in Baltimore had by all!

Christmas Recap on Friday, January 13, 2012

Sadly, Christmas is a distant memory. But, they were great memories, and I had a wonderful holiday season. I wish to thank my family and friends for making it so special. I really got into making lists! I have already started my birthday gift list if anyone is interested :)Two trips to the Botanical Gardens to the see the train display - Awesome!

Even got to ride a train at Zoo Lights!

Finally, got to eat my Gingerbread House after a month-long display--a little hard!

A favorite gift - wall tracks!

Hanging out with Jack (and my other cousins) at the beach.

A Multiple Personality Month on Friday, January 13, 2012

What an interesting month! I have been anxiously awaiting snow. In fact, I expected it on Christmas as I have come to expect a white Christmas based on stories and songs. A little disappointed. And now, we are continually talking about weather and snowflakes in school. Well, finally, on Monday, we had some snow! It sure looked pretty falling, tasted pretty good but only lasted just a bit. There was still some snow left on Tuesday morning, and I mean barely a covering on the ground. But, I was insistent on putting on snow pants, boots, hat and mittens to throw snowballs and make a snowman. I can say that we tried! A day later we were back in the park with a lightweight fleece jacket.Catching snowflakes on my tongue

Our tiny snowman

Spring Fever on Saturday, January 7, 2012

I know I still need to post some Christmas pics, but could not miss the opportunity to share a wonderful morning spent with hot doughnuts and spring-like nature. With such a great forecast, we embarked on one of our favorite Saturday combinations--hot doughnuts out on Route 1 (there is a song about it) and then a great hike at Huntley Meadows. We met up with favorite pals Elise and her family, and Elise and I were quite the hiking buddies. We would run, walk, stop to explore and backtrack to move along two-year old, Emma. As we shed our coats, we had to be reminded that it was January!

Happy 2012! on Saturday, December 31, 2011

I have loads of Christmas cheer and fun to report--coming soon! In the meantime, here is a quick New Year greeting (along with an explanation of one of my favorite gifts). Happy New Year!

A Flurry of Activity on Saturday, December 18, 2011

A flurry of activity but not a flurry in sight. I keep asking, "Where is the snow?" Most of the Christmas books we read show Santa landing on a rooftop of fluffy snow. A white Christmas sure would be nice. Though, we are certainly in the spirit--snow or no snow. I have enjoyed all of the lights, activity, treats and merriment. And, so much anticipation for Santa's visit! I am studiously counting down.

At National Harbor.

Exchanging gifts and laughs with good buddies, Elise and Emma.

Working on my gingerbread house, eating sprinkles.

Watching an abbreviated version of The Nutcracker. I liked it!

At the College Park Aviation Museum viewing their holiday train display.

Tis the Season on Saturday, December 3, 2011

Today we filled our house with cheer! We decorated our tree and put lights outside. Then, we, my classmates and I, dazzled a camera snapping, video taking crowd as we sang at my school's holiday family party and concert. I stood so nicely with my class (kind of) and sang, "Jingle Bells", "He Has the Whole World in His Hands", and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" (kind of). I didn't have quite all of the words down, but I was great at the hand motions.

Big Train... Big Apple... Big Bus on Friday, December 2, 2011

Our Duck vacation ended with much more fun and craziness, and I loved being able to visit Nanny and Grandpa on both ends of the trip. No sooner were we back, and we took off to the Big Apple via a big train. Unfortunately, Daddy had to stay behind and work, but we picked up Moppy and Pop in Wilmington. I love the Amtrak ("because the Metro does not have bathrooms and I can eat on the Amtrak"). And, then the train ride was followed by a cab ride right through Times Square. We did all of our fun NYC traditions (this is my third Christmas holiday there), including a stop at FAO Schwartz and climbing in Central Park. Of course we went to Times Square and though we still have not been brave enough to face the crowd at the lighting of the Rockefeller Tree, we enjoy watching the clean up the next morning while we munch on bagels and then visit the Today Show. We added a new stop this year--to Dillon's Candy Bar--my kind of place!
Back at home and back at school on Friday, I took my first ever field trip. We rode a big bus to Tiny Tots Christmas show at a local high school. The bus ride was awesome--I talked the entire way to my friends and teachers, pointing out all of the trucks and cars and road construction and Metro tracks and signs.... and the show was pretty good, too.

A Turkey Week Vacation in Duck on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Turkey in Duck--what a great idea! We are enjoying a week on the Outer Banks, NC to celebrate the holiday. We could not ask for better weather. Even on cloudy days, the sun has peeked through and the temperatures are so kind for November. The best part is living under one roof with all of my cousins, including bunking in at night with Jack and Ella (this morning we were up with the sun, giggling and sneaking candy from the kitchen). We have spent lots of time on the beach and have also enjoyed the hot tub, the Wright Brothers Memorial, and Jockey's Ridge with its huge sand dunes.

TeePee HeeHee on Friday, November 18, 2011

It has been all about indians, corn and harvest at school. I have had a good time making corn muffins and corn rubbings. And, I am especially excited to be singing in the sanctuary (practicing Christmas songs). Here is a photo of me and a teepee I made in school today though my mom thought it was a party hat...

Season of Thankfulness on Wednesday, November 16, 2011

It has been a busy work month for my parents, so I remind them of thankfulness. And, I have much to be thankful for! Here are some photos of my November with just a few things from my thankful list.

Beach Opportunities (thank you Moppy and Pop!)

Crazy Cousins

Time with Daddy