Craft Weekend - 2009

I am really not a craft person.

Sure, over the years I have tried. When I was pregnant with Ms. Bean I even asked my mom to buy me a sewing machine and then spend the baby's future tuition on all the needles and faceplate's required to make quilts, cloth diapers (no really, I'm serious), bibs, and clothes. In the end, I successfully completed catnip toys for Skippy and then gave my mom the sewing machine.

I then spent about 2 years stalking the clearance sections at Michaels an Total Crafts. So, in my house is a ROOM full of foam shapes, tye dye components, beads, photo frame kits, paint, egg dying kids, charcoals, floss, yarn and fabric.

It will all be donated to a women's shelter right after the 1st of the year.

Recently the girls (now 6 and 4.5) have really taken to do-it-yourself projects. Knowing that I was unable to teach them, I looked to Google and in just a couple of minutes managed to find a host of free activities that were remarkably cool, and provided a full day of entertainment.

At 0900 we started out at HomeDepot for their monthly kids workshop. I discovered this program a few months ago while Tom shopped for a grill. It is the first Saturday of the month and the kids make adorable projects in about 20 minutes. Today, we made a wagon (below). Last months project was a Trivet. They give the kids an apron (just like the employees), an achievement pin, and a certificate.


After HomeDepot, we drove directly to Lowes for their Build and Grow Clinic to make a Wooden Ginger Bread House. I wasn't sure if we wanted to go the this because the craft looked lame in the promotional photo, but it was really cute! In addition to the craft, the girls received an apron, a patch with a Ginger Bread Man on it (which will force me to SEW, but I digress), safety goggles and a certificate. Bean (Purple) and Bee (Pink) made the following ................





Michaels was next on our tour. In just a few moments, the kids made a card and a stocking. They were offering the opportunity to make a Trinket box as well, but we were needing to prepare of part 2 of craft day.





Following lunch at Fridays (the kids wanted McDonalds, but Spouse wanted a beer and he was driving) we went to the local Unitarian Church (thanks Jim and Tamara for the invitation) which was having their Craft Workshop. The kids had a wonderful time and for a small donation made these gingerbread houses in addition to cards and ornaments.




So, for under $16 (which includes the paint), the kids walked away from this weekend happy, self confident, and tired. I walked away with a HUGE jump in the holidays. And, my house was not impacted by mess or additional clutter. In some commercials, they call that Priceless.

The Perfect Day

As a parent, there are many verbal milestones that you look forward to. Their first word. Their first song. The first time that they say "I love you". The first time that they read you a book. This morning, Ms. Bean surprised me with a sentence I was unprepared for, and it warmed my heart:

"Mommy, yesterday was the very best day of my whole life"

We spent yesterday with Toms brother Robert and my parents, enjoying a boat ride from Alexandria to Georgetown for lunch, and the return trip. It was a wonderful day, but "the best of my whole life" is a pretty rich statement.

"What was so special about it" I asked. Mildly stunned but delighted.

In a thoughtful and deliberate manner, I got the following response:

"Well, it was beautiful out, the wind blew in my hair, and I was with everyone I love".

Can I just bottle her up now. I never want to forget this time.

(Ms. Beans assignment was to Dictate an adventure that she had in the past, and tell us what she remembered. Here is the trip she took to the Baltimore Aquarium a year ago)

My first visit to the Aquarium

I went to the aquarium with mommy and the rest of my family. Leah, Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy, and Mommy were all there. On the way into the Aquarium, we saw a statue of shark teeth. When I first went in the door, I saw pictures of animals close up. They made me feel happy.

I saw the dolphin show. It was really cool. The dolphins did a lot of tricks and they even splashed a little. I saw sharks too! I wasn’t afraid. The sharks have big teeth. I ran around seeing all kinds of Sharks from the top to the bottom. I saw a jelly fish. The jelly fish looked like a shell, but when I saw the legs I knew that it was a Jelly fish. There were rainbow fish and black fish. There were tiny fish. I even saw puffins. I saw sting rays. Some were spotted, some were striped. I even saw a few crabs. The crabs had pink shells and purple shells. Some even had yellow shells.

My sister and my father saw an Octopus. I was too scared, so I didn’t go.

I saw some frogs. The frogs where red, blue and some were black.

After the Dolphin show, we can go under the Dolphin lake and see them behind the glass under water. During the Dolphin Show, we see a movie about taking care of the Dolphins.

Dolphins have a belly bottom just like us!

There is a place where you can touch real animals. I touched a snail where it was slimmed. They also taught me how to pick up a stingray without getting stung.

After our visit, we go to the gift shop. They have bouncy fish balls and Dolphins that are sparkly. Papa bought me a frog magnet.

I would like to go back soon!

sarah

Top Sail 2008

We have JUST returned from another wonderful (just short of a) week at SeaTulls in Topsail, NC. The girls had a wonderful time, weather was perfect, and between the 4 of us we managed to take advantage of everything that the Island had to offer. The kids chatted about seeing Dolphins, sand flea's, the turtle museum and "watching fish jump" all the way home, which for 6-hours was music to our ears. Being a mom really does get better as the girls get older!

As most of my readers know, I make it a rule never to publish the kids photos (faces) on my blog, and without their photos, it is hard to capture our trip. However, here is a sample. This collection includes the first time that Ms. Bean wrote her name in the sand, and Baby-Bee's new PET and PET Babies. Your would have loved them Patty!

Just shoot me an e-mail if you want to see the family photos and I will pass them on. They should be uploaded in a few days!

XOXO D

Happy Dump Day!

It is hard to believe that this is the 5th anniversary of "dump day". I think that we should all run out and have a reenactment, to assure that we never forget such an amazing experience. This can be easily accomplished, with very little planning:

1) Acquire the only SUV in Virginia

2) Find a driver with plenty of time on her hands, preferably one on her first day of maternity leave with an induction scheduled in 48 hours.

3) Try and get the drivers father to actually drive the vehicle, and put the pregnant woman in the front seat.

4) Put a variety of items into the car, to include aluminum, glass, metal, and cardboard. This will ensure that you have the ultimate experience.

5) Confirm directions with your neighbor, and let him assist you with placing the items into the back of the SUV.

6) Arrive at the dump

7) Place glass into recyclable containers, and follow arrows to the indoor disposal facility

8) Make sure that this is ONLY DONE in the summer when the garbage from the indoor facility has adequate heat exposure.

9) Pull into the indoor disposal facility, and TAKE IT ALL IN!

Hunters - I still get mad thinking about them!

About 15 years ago, I lived on a farm in Southern Maryland. It was there that I had a real opportunity to observe deer, and their amazing presence. It was during that time that I also learned to DETEST guns, and hunters.

Every year after Thanksgiving, the gross redneck hunters would line the neighboring properties, and squeal when they "got one", all the while chewing tobacco and smelling like Budweiser. They also voted republican.

I was reminded of that time last weekend when I shot these photos with the girls at Oxon Hill Farm. How anyone can find joy in the destruction of something this amazing is beyond me.

National Geographic, Washington DC

We missed our 15 minutes!

Several months ago Susie, Papa and I took the girls to see Milkshake at XM Radio's Rompus Room downtown. They filmed the show for the purpose of making the videos to promote their new album. The girls were dressed to the 9's, wearing their tutu's and stripped shirts! We were going to be stars!

Here is the video.

http://www.milkshakemusic.com/video.cfm?id=12

If you look carefully you will see Susie and Papa in the back. The rest of us are no where to be found. Oh well ................... maybe the fact that Ms. Bean never removed her fingers from her ears had something to do with it?

Piscataway Park

Today we rediscovered one of the areas hidden treasures.


The National Colonial Farm is about 9 miles outside of DC in Prince George's County and is designed to show people what life on a tobacco farm was like in the 1770's. When Tom and I were dating and living in Southern Maryland (12 years ago), we visited there a few times, primarily because it is surrounded by some gorgeous hiking trails on the Potomac which include the most picturesque views of Mount Vernon and the surrounding area.

We decided to go there when we rememered that they had farm animals and thought that the girls might enjoy seeing something a little different then the animals at the zoo or Oxon Hill Farm (and we had been to the zoo Saturday). We were very pleasently surprised and didn't even get over to most of the animal pens.

The park consists of costumed interpreters working on what would have been a middle class farm. The house, kitchen, gardens, animals, pastures and clothing are all exactly as they would have been in the pre-revolution period. They even do the chores at the same time that they would have had this been the 18th century. The entire staff, including the volunteer in the giftshop were delightful, and the kids LOVED it.

Actually, Ms. Bean really loved it. Baby Bee also had a wonderful time, primarily because she fell completely in love with one of the farm cats and got to play in dirt.

The wonderful volunteer who was cooking the "family's" lunch allowed Ms. Bean to be her special helper. They pealed turnips, picked rosemary and thyme from the garden, made their pie crusts, and cut Peaches together (Pork Chops and Peach Pie was for Super). When they were done with the seasoning, it was Ms. Beans job to take the Turnip peels and feed them to the pigs (we helped, but she did it all by herself).

The 2 room house is amazing, completely furnished as it would have been in revolutionary times, to include some antique spinning wheels (which Ms. Bean told her sister were for turning straw into gold) and straw beds.

They had a good selection of chickens, donkeys, re cows, sheep, pigs, and turkeys. This lovely lady was in a pasture behind the house and should be milking by spring .........




While picking lavender, Ms. Bean spotted this lady in her web. Check out the zig zag texture she spun! She must have wanted to make it extra special for visitors.



And a little closer (this one is for you, Patty)


All and all, a perfect outing! Go!

Happy Independence Day!

Well, today is bitter sweet.

On one hand, it is Independence Day, and while I am currently disgusted with our Administration and almost everything they stand for, I am privileged and proud to be an American. So, Happy Birthday to us.

On the other hand, it is the last day of "Mommy-Daddy-Bean-and-Bee's-1/2-week-o-fun", and tomorrow I return to the "boring-bureaucracy" that is my life.

We actually spent Independence Day morning at a pretty cool park. I found this quite preferable to the DC-fire works alternative. Not that I have always disliked the "firework shuffle", but since the District started checking bags and eliminated the beer trucks - I really don't see the point. It still goes on though, as evidenced by the fact that we saw people setting up camp on the GW Parkway at 0800 this morning! Since the fireworks generally start just after 2100, they are in for a LONG day of sunburn and mosquito bites! They must be more patriotic then we are.

Early this morning we took the girls to Clemjontry Park. I have been reading about this park for a while, but since it was off the beaten path, it took us a while to get there. It is a Fairfax County Park which was built to accommodate children with disabilities (we went with my Friend, Lara, and her daughter, Annie). Now, anyone that knows me, knows that I am no fan of Fairfax County. Their schools are rigid, their roads are primitive and their people are too Conservative. However, when it comes to this park, they got it right! The kids LOVED it! Of course, I forgot to bring my camera so I missed Ms. Beans constant smile ................ but we will go back.

It is HUGE and has every kind of sensory and motor skill equipment imaginable. My description would not do it justice, and you will just have to go! There is no reason to be afraid, it is barely in Fairfax County, and most of the people I met there were from Arlington and Alexandria. I suspect that the people from Fairfax were setting up camp on the GW Parkway at the time.

The National Zoo and Huntley Meadows Park

Tom and I certainly are enjoying out time off with the girls!

We have been to the National Zoo, Green Springs Gardens Park, 2 neighborhood playgrounds, Huntley Meadows Park, and several local restaurants, and its only Tuesday! The idea of going back to work makes me want to cry, but, there is a silver lining ................ we leave for a 1 week bonus vacation in 2 weeks!

I am including photos of the zoo and Huntley Meadows Park in this post. The photos of Huntley Meadows don't do it justice. We went entirely too late for decent shots, and, baby bee had a meltdown and required carrying for the last mile of our visit! Important tip ...... when visiting this location .... DO NOT FORGET YOUR STROLLER!

The National Zoo - Visited 6/30/07



Huntley Meadows Park - Visited 7/1/07





Enjoy! D

Green Springs Garden Park

Several years ago, before I had the girls, I had an interest in Floral Photography. During that time, I discovered Green Springs Garden park, which is a little gem off of Duke Street behind the Goodwill. Tom and I fell in love with the park, and eventually decided to get married in their Gazebo. The day was perfect, and the flowers could not have been more spectacular.

So, now that Ms. Bean has an intense fascination with Weddings and everything bride (I guess it is a 4-year old thing), we decided to take the girls to the place "mommy and daddy got married". The pictures I got of the girls we mediocre. The photo's that I was able to get when I wasn't shooting the kids, or chasing after them, were actually decent.

Since I have been looking for a reason to dive into Picasa, I am sharing them here.



I need to spend a lot more time behind a lens.

What shall we do today?

A few weeks ago, the girls and I took an entire 10-days off and had what came to be known as our "week-o-fun".

I realised while planning a family vacation that I really didn't want to go anywhere. The girls are too young to care, and traveling/staying in a hotel with a 2 and 4 year old, and a LOT of diapers, just does not seem like fun. Besides, with Baby-Bee still requiring a regular nap, it really didn't seem feasible.

I decided that over the course of the summer, I would take off 1-week per month (3 weeks in total), for the express purpose of playing with the girls. I figured that we would do one "mini-field trip" every morning, and play at the pool in the afternoon. Despite all three of us acquiring colds, and a couple of rain storms, the week COULD NOT have been better.

Some of our morning excursions were to places we go often and some were new adventures, but all were quite enjoyable (and so was the company):

River Farm - This is a little gem just outside of Old Town Alexandria that is absolutely delightful. It is the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society and has an impressive set of Children's Gardens.

The Baltimore Aquarium - This was our BIG trip of the week and took a little coordination. Because of Ms. Beans noise sensitivity, I called ahead of time and learned that going on a Monday or Tuesday when they first open (0900) would be best because there wouldn't be any crowds. Tom and my parents joined us, and when we got there we bought a family-plus membership. We pretty much looked at it as a donation, but since the kids really enjoyed themselves we will probably get our moneys worth. I was really proud of both girls, once they got passed the initial fear of the unknown, they really got into it. Ms. Beans favorite part was The Dolphin Show and 3 weeks later Baby-Bee is still talking about the Frogs. I think it was a success!

Oxen Hill Farm - We are here ALL the time. It is a 5 minute drive from the house, and every time we go the girls see something new. It is also my favorite place to take pictures of the kids. During week-o-fun, Ms. Bean got to milk her first cow! Not bad for a city girl!

Hays Park - A Children's Park in Arlington which is designed for kids ages 2-5. All of their playground equipment is designed for littler kids, and there is a water-sprinkler portion (designed to look like the solar system) that comes on at 10:00 am in the summers.

I really had mixed feelings about this park. The girls seemed to enjoy it, but, it was VERY crowded and a long drive for what was really just a neighborhood park. Might not visit again unless we are meeting someone who lives in Arlington for a play date.

The National Zoo - I am certain that each of my readers had been to this zoo more often then they can count. Not much more for me to add, except that we renewed our FONZ membership while we were there, which continues to pay for itself in spaces (popcorn + cookies alone make it worth it, not to mention the free parking).

One of the cool things that I found out when I registered for the membership at the Aquarium is that both their membership, and our FONZ membership, are tax deductible. Just wish I knew that 10 years ago when I started with the FONZ membership, but, live and learn.

Next week-o-fun is July 22-28 (though we are taking off a few days around the 4th of July). Will post our itinerary once I figure it out!

D