Zoo day

A couple of weeks back we took advantage of the first warm day of the season and went to the zoo. We got there right at 10 AM when it opened and it was perfect.  The kids were really good thanks to animals, nice weather, a popsicle, and an ice cream bar. And it was So fun to see Carter get really into seeing the animals for the first time.

 We started the day with a popsicle which Harrison was happy to share with Carter (this is the price one must pay when he convinces his mommy to buy a popsicle at 10 AM....)

 And off to the sea lions! It was so cool watching them swim right by us in this big tank.

 Bear in a tree!!!

 Checking out some sting rays

 Splashing in puddles in Amazonia

 Lunch break!

 Orangatang out for a walk

Tortoise!

Harrison's spring parent teacher conference

Just to preserve the great things Harrison's teacher, Mrs. Craig, said about him at his parent teacher conference last week. She pretty much told me he is awesome at everything, is the leader in his class, and is ready for kindergarten now (he has another year since his b-day is in January). Must be nice to have everything come easy to you, right? Couldn't be prouder :)

"Harrison has grown in many areas this year in preschool. He shines in our classroom and is a very capable young man. Harrison is curious about the world around him and shows a genuine love of learning. I have the most wonderful conversations with him.  His vocabulary is rich and he loves sharing his favorite experiences.  Harrison loves all of our preschool activities. Daily, he will always choose the various "learning type" activities and small group games that I have available for the children.  Harrison is sure to do well academically in his school career.

I am most pleased with Harrison's social-emotional growth this year.  He has grown in his abilities to share toys with others, show concern for others  and maintain his self-control.  He will often be seen negotiating for a turn by using our classroom timer with another child. He is a thinker and a natural leader. I have so enjoyed getting to know him and watching him mature.

I will miss Harrison's daily hug and lively smile as he bounces into our classroom, his unusual thought provoking questions at sharing time and his rough and tumble "all boy" spirit.  Please contact me in the future when he plays in his team's lacrosse or basketball games as you are sure to be cheering from the sidelines from your wonderful boy!"

I hope the whole love of learning thing continues forever. Harrison is a huge blessing in our family.

 last Easter--he's grown up so much since then.

Playing in the dirt at the playground at our old house. Dirt rocks.

House project #1

Magnetic chalkboard wall in the dining room! Magnet paint is kind of awful but the result was totally worth it.

When you mix soap shavings, little pieces of paper, and hot water you get???

Soap mud!!! This was fun this afternoon. Sure it meant quite a mess and dinner after 7, but whatevs :) notice carter saying 'cheese!!!! ' Every time I whip out the camera.

Bluebells

After a horrid experience last weekend fighting crowds to see 'not quite fully bloomed' cherry blossoms I insisted we leave before eight to go on a 1.5 mile hike and see the bluebells at bull run park. No one was there. Except the end of some runners on a fifty miler who gave Harrison a blow up monkey. Perfect beautiful morning. And carter rocked it in the baby backpack.

Cute pictures for o'ma

sunday afternoon walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island

Who knew there was a pretty little island (prettier in the spring I'm sure, but even pretty a few weeks back when it was decidedly still winter) right off of the potomac in the middle of DC? I did, although this was the first time I ventured all the way around.  We had lots of fun, and by the end Cory was planning what he would do if the island was all his (there would be tours, but they would cost you).

 going up to the monument

 It's a boy in a hollow tree!

 So...what made this Theodore Roosevelt guy so special? All I could remember from 10th grade AP history was "speak softly and carry a big stick..."

 Yes, we regularly take carter to long walks through a swamp without shoes. Cool like that.

 A nice view of the kennedy center

 CARRY ME DADDY!!!

 Carter wants to get out and get him

 She was really trying hard here

 OH! CARTER WINS!! Harrison's down. Without even leaving the stroller

Balancing on a log

By the by. Why I won't dare show pictures because we are still unpacking (note to self--moving with two kids is about eight billion times harder than moving with one!!), but here are five things I love about our new house:

1. squishy, soft, somewhat upgraded carpet.
2. Dark tile in the kitchen and real wood, medium tone floors. They look SO much cleaner for so much longer than the blond fake wood I'm used too. Happy day for me!!!
3. The deck. Big enough for Harrison to ride his bike endlessly around our patio table.
4. The neighborhood. Super nice neighbors in our little mini street, plus I met a girl with kids the same ages as mine half a block down. Score.
5. Cory and Harrison hiked through the woods over a creek to get to our friends' house on Monday. Love that we're so close to such things as "woods" and a "creek"

For good measure--I'll just throw in #6--my commute is about the same despite it being further away due to freeways that are surprisingly not busy when I'm on them. And the drive to get cory to/from the metro is a breeze so far.