Things that go

Last week we found books on all things that go at the library... even a Construction Alphabet with trucks like Quad-axle Lowbed and Knuckleboom Loader. Sonia was elated to read all these ;-) She is rather an avid reader and Jeremy learned that "Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation." Then on Saturday we went on the road trip to take a train "Metro" and a trolley.Looking at the map and talking about a yellow metro line that papa takes to work everyday. On the train we saw big buildings, roads, freeways, cars, airport with planes taking off, rivers, boats and lots of tunnels. Jeremy said he has never paid so much attention to what passes him by on the way to work.

Our trolley ride brought as much delight and excitement ;-)

We also were lucky to listen to the glass harp once again. I could spend a whole afternoon enjoying this music on the steps to the Torpedo Art Factory. Throughout the centuries people used crystal glass because only crystal could produce sound. Mr. Turner started using regular glass but with distilled water. It worked because there is nothing binding; a water without minerals produces wonders. Mr. Turner currently uses 60 cups and is ready to add another octave soon.

Busy, busy day! Sonia was glad to get back on a trolley. We skipped looking at the boats and getting into a rowboat because retiring for a little nap was a priority for everyone and so we did.

On Sunday Sonia put her lovies on the table and fed them lots of corn. Jeremy thought it was the cutest thing on earth and helped Sonia pick all the kernels of the floor when lovies finished their dinner. Good thing!! Because I was not about to dive under the table to sweep three cups of corn ;-)

Papa's work

After going to Lunch Bunnies at a local library, we stopped at the Oshkosh store to find something for Sonia's hair. It turned out they don't carry anything for the hair... too bad because we all out of the nice Oshkosh scrunchies from at an outlet in St. George.

However, Sonia discovered a Lego table. I am still working on finding wooden building blocks, Lego's and underbed train table for her on craigslist. Sonia quickly got a taste of it and spent a good hour and a half working hardBuilding papa's work.

What does he do there? Takes naps ;-)

Sonia also built a piano for mama. And then decided to construct a whole complex of buildings for papa to work in.

After watching papa play baseball with his US Tax Court team the other week, Sonia decided ball games is what her papa does for living. She believes papa plays BIG Ball everyday at work ;-) plus he takes a fun train rides to get there.

We also ventured out to look at the George Washington estate last week. This is an original breed of hogs that used to room around the forest, almost wild until time came when men went out to catch them and make them into pork chops.

The silly things that matter most

We woke up and had a lovely morning on our sixth anniversary together. I busied myself with making breakfast and getting ready for a day out of the house... it was Sonia's first time being away for about eight hours... easy for her, hard for me ;-) What a blessing her papa is to me and to our whole family!!! He woke up, took care of the dog, of the overgrown lawn and played with Sonia strawberry short cake softballWe got a glove, a ball and a bat last night... Sonia and papa played and played and ran around making joyful memories of our special day.

By eleven we seemed to manage to get to Valerie's house... the smell of her home filled with whole-wheat, home-made-from-scratch-starting-with-grinding-wheat-berries waffles made me want to linger there longer but it was time to go...

"Don't get too excited because all the activities are a bit silly today," humbly noted Jeremy on the metro train to DC. The metro tracks are elevated and offer a beautiful Bird's eye view of Alexandria before diving into the ground on the DC side of the Potomac river. I kept thinking that Sonia would be thrilled to ride the train with us. She has been talking about papa ridding big choo choo everyday of the week. The ride was worth every penny and unlike New York subways was comfortable with Moscow style huge metro stations and escalators.

We walked pass the Embassy row on the way to our first destination... the Textile museum. With my recent sewing hobby looking at treasures of Amish quilters was a pure pleasure. Hand stitching and color take your breath away.The Road to Heaven movie about Amish communal way of living ended with words "Our way to Heaven is narrow, not broad, and it is not for everyone; there are other ways too but that is what we choose."

Then Jeremy took me to Corcoran Gallery of Art for a quick walk through and I ended up discovering John Singer Sargent, the pre-eminent American expatriate painter of the late 19th century. Not his main portrait works but landscapes especially French girl fishing captivated me; we shall go back and see "Sargent and the Sea" special exhibit that is coming up in September.

Drops of rain turned into a warm Southern thunder storm outside as we headed to old town Alexandria. Well, I am romantic and you can simply steal my heart with this sort of antique trolley ride through King street. Best of all it was free.

With an inside as good as an outside.

To the river! On the boat!

On this rainy afternoon we turned into the only passengers on the private historic tour of Potomac river and an old Town. Where does Santa spend his summers? That is right... here on the boat. The captain let me drive the boat.... to my complete horror... I even had to turn the whole thing around on the way back and was told not to run into other boats that wondered what on earth I was doing at the wheel. Gladly I gave up my river watching duty ;-)

Listening to Jamey Turner glass harp outside the Torpedo factory was a special treat on the way back. He tunes up each glass when it goes flat with more or less water and pardon the rain, the music is simply phenomenal. Once again I wished for Sonia to be with us!

We ended our day adventure with fine dining at Vermilion. Tasteful atmosphere, fresh local produce, soft shell crab and melting in the mouth halibut (while Jeremy experienced buffalo steak of the same qualities) left us with desire to come back to this paradise of good food, peace and quiet.

Oh, what a day!!! How grateful I am to have an eternal companion and how could he ever figure out a day like this? Can I add it didn't cost a fortune either; all including metro fare was under $50. It does help to have excellent planning skills, work hard (Jeremy's volunteering this summer paid for the meal at Vermilion) and be the most desirable and capable guy of making "silly" miracles ;-) I love you!!!! What a pleasure to spend a whole day with you!!!!

The lady who snapped this shot said... "Let there be as many happy days in your lives together as there are rain drops today..."

Oh, irresponsible parents! We were an hour late to get back. Thank you, Valerie and Graton for your patience, kindness to Sonia and we hope to return this favor! Thank you for keeping our Sonia safe and happy!!! Sonia did well the whole day and as usually kids do got super tired... I think I was a bit selfish for eight hours straight so for now we decided not to leave our two-year-old for a whole day. Oh, the joy of parenting!!!! Choices, choices, choices!!!

Fun in the sun with lala pool

This treasure was posted last week and has quickly become one of Sonia's faves. It holds water for now; later in the year I'll fill it up with sand. Who can pass on the little pool and making pancakes with papa sitting right next to you?

We even hosted a small party with Claire to enjoy our lala pool. Sonia fills her pool with snakes, frogs and plays with her kitchen stuff while I am finishing up my baby sewing.

On Friday I was spoiled!!! Jeremy took me to one of the best salons in downtown Alexandria. I got a fresh cut. Carla did a great job. Even being seven months pregnant with a toddler next to me, I received lots compliments from people passing by ;-) What a great self esteem booster! But what matters most of all is this guy and he loved my new look! We also got desert at a local bakery and took this Italian baguette home for dinner... this is what I love about being close to a city!

First sleep over!

We loved playing with Audrey and Alyssa last weekend! On Friday night we ate pizza and then went to a play ground; I chased after three kids: one was running around in just undies because I forgot diaper bags for everyone;-)
I was also a bit concerned about putting everyone to bed but it turned out much easier than I expected. After a bath and story time, Sonia and Alyssa chatted for a little while using all communication devises available to two-year-old girls... but then they fell asleep and didn't wake up until the morning.

In the morning, we made some jummy whole wheat muffins and headed to a bowling ally. Sonia wanted to go because she saw a coupon on the fridge with little girls rolling balls. None of the girls has ever been... First it was fun to pick out the balls ;-) Sonia wanted yellow, Audrey chose green, Alyssa picked blue and Jeremy decided on orange.
Then everyone played the game but Sonia. She was way too worried about balls disappearing and not coming back. She whaled each time someone rolled the ball and was thrilled to get it back. Our coupon worked wonders and we got everything including shoes for only $3 ;-) Watch out, Mama! Sonia is already asking to go again!

Thanks for coming and having fun with us!!!!

Two wonderful days flew by with friends coming and visiting from Florida, Utah and even London ;-) We had sucha great time! I am still amazed at how we could find a place to sleep for everyone ;-)

Alan, Amy and Avery are moving from Florida to Utah and driving across the country so they stopped by our place on Monday; Debbie couldn't miss a party and flew in all the way from Phoenix; then Chelsey joined us last night on her way back from London.

Elder Sackett got special permission to visit with his family and friends for an hour. He didn't break any rules! What a lucky missionary and even more so his mom, Debbie!

We went to Subway and enjoyed company of two great missionaries almost off duty ;-)

Sonia and I made it to the National Museum of Art story time and learned about New York by George Bellows. I feel good because Sonia knows words like foreground and background ;-) She also loved watching a painter making copy of the painting... way fun! Then with oil pastels Sonia created this piece of art called "Red Bush" ;-)

We ventured out to a Space Museum. Somehow I felt a hint of cold war winds passing me by. Sonia had fun with Amy at the Wright brothers exhibit. From Debbie Sonia learned that rockets go up in space and missiles blow up. Last night we enjoined one of the most touristy activities Washington DC has to offer... visiting the memorials. Here we are at the new WWII with a fountain and lights.Note: Alan and Amy have been saying "Show your teeth" to Avery to get her to smile. Sonia thought that she should join and so she did... that is the way we brush at night. What a silly little goose ;-)