Enjoying the world on Earth Day

We had a fantastic weekend enjoying the springtime weather!  Soccer and playgrounds and ice cream have become the routine.  But today we took some time to hang up our homemade birdfeeders made with cookie cutters.  Evie holds up her miniature bear with pride.  

 Ellie plays with the giant lips (ok, we have some weird cookie cutters) - she had previously tried to taste the birdseed and was not such a fan: "this stuff is for the birds!"

Next we headed off to Clemyjontri Park in McLean where Evie gave her sister a comprehensive tour of the playground. This included many trips down the slide together. 

 

The two sisters shared a seat in the cockpit - Evie is covering her mouth to imitate an intercom saying "This is your captain speaking!" 

Shotgun again, thinks Ellie.

Evie shows off her masterful skills on the balance beam.  

 Last stop was the carousal where both girls loved going around and around on their faithful steeds. 

 

Ellie was excited to ride her zebra, but as the ride went on, she looked ready to dismount.  What a fun day for the family! 

Oui, oui! We celebrate Ba and Opa's anniversary French-style!

We fancied up on Wednesday to join and Ba and Opa to celebrate their 43rd anniversary at one of their favorite French restaurants in Old Town, La Refuge.  We had a special guest too - Co Ba! We had a near crisis when we discovered they didn't serve pommes frites (French fries) but thankfully they had a cheese plate with apples that the kids enjoyed. 

We take a celebratory group picture after the dinner before heading home for ice cream cake.  Happy Anniversary, Ba and Opa! 

Ringing in Spring

 

We were delighted to host our dear friends Aunty Priya, Uncle Amit, and Sonali and Sachin on Friday for lasagna night.  The kids got along beautifully although we had to keep a watchful eye on Ellie, who decided to climb up the outside of the staircase. six steps up!  She must think she is a monkey.  The next morning after a delicious pancake, pancake breakfast, the kids posed for a picture on the porch. (Evie felt her soccer uniform needed some beautification so insisted upon the princess dress)

 

Saturday was filled with soccer and library fun, and on Sunday we traveled down to the Tidal Basin to see the last of the cherry blossoms.  There were only a couple of trees left in bloom, but on the plus side, parking was a snap! The girls pose by the Jefferson Memorial and had fun throwing sticks into the water.

 

Mom and the girls get a quick picture before we move on from the Tidal Basin. 

 

Next stop, the George Mason Memorial nearby, which always has some pretty pansies, forsythia, and magnolia trees in bloom, and plenty of room for the kids to run around the fountain.

 

Ellie has a blast doing a dance to a imaginary song in her head. 

 

Evie took her first photograph with the big camera of Mommy and Daddy - not too shabby considering how heavy it is!

Across the street, Evie gets a closer look and sniff of the cherry blossom blooms with the help of Daddy. 

 

Ellie is also delighted to ride around on Dad's shoulders! 

 

She likes feeling the soft petals.  

 

One last picture of the girls before we call it a day! 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, Welcome to the Greatest Show on Earth!

It was off to the Ringling Bros. Circus last night, our annual tradition!  This year's theme was Dragons and the girls were amazed by the strength, courage, bravery and heart the performers displayed.  One of the cool new features was the  motorcycle tightrope act. 

Ellie sat on Daddy's lap for the best view - we weren't sure if she was actually enjoying the performance, because she didn't crack a smile... until the tigers and lions arrived.  Then she sat up on Dad's lap and pointed excitedly.  We even heard a little growl from our little tiger. 

Meanwhile, Evie is delighted with her elephant snow cone, her first ever. Her favorite part was the motorcycles in the sphere, Mom liked the elephants, Ellie liked the tigers, and Dad liked the motorcycles and tigers best (how diplomatic).

During intermission, the girls enjoyed their treats and were a sticky mess. 

You always have to end on a showstopper! What a fantastic show!!

The last hunt of the year... hop-fully!

Before heading home, the girls bid Bebe and Popi adieu and thanks for a wonderful weekend.  They enjoy their animal crackers as a parting gift from their dear grandparents!  We can't wait to see you again soon!

 

Then, that afternoon we met many new friends for one last neighborhood egg hunt organized by Ms. Yamina across the street.  Her daughter Leena is proudly wearing her bunny ears.
 

Ellie had a blast finding all the eggs Daddy hid in the yard - she had really gotten the hang of it by the end.  Every egg found was a triumph!  The girls are already talking about next year! 

Hopping down the Bunny Trail!

It's egg decorating time!  Evie and Mommy start by using crayons before they begin the coloring of the eggs, one of our favorite techniques.  

  

 

 Ellie likes to do her dying one-handed, the other hand clasping a donut.  She likes going for a full dunk with her hands, no spoon needed.
 

Ellie takes notes on big sister's techniques.  

 Evie celebrates a job well done with a chocolate donut, which kind of makes her look like she has a mustache.  What a beautiful rainbow of colors!  Poor Daddy was not allowed to make camouflage eggs this year (that probably explains why almost all of them were found).

Evie and Molly have fun playing outside before the big egg hunt begins. Molly introduced Evie to her dolphin Ruby.

And then the hunt was off!  Stan shows off his basket of eggs, he's a natural! 

Bryn takes a run around the yard in delight.  Did someone say eggs?!?

Evie finds a yellow jellybean in a tree.  

Ellie gets into the action. 

 JJ holds up her basket of eggs proudly. 

Our annual Easter picture of the kids! Soon after, we had the hunt for the adults and managed to find all but 2 of Popi's well-hidden eggs, with the help of our little experts.

 

After the big hunt and a delicious lunch,we celebrated Molly's fourth birthday. Molly takes a big breath to blow out her candles (hmmm... it looks as if she has aged a couple of years with seven of them, but she was able to get them all out in one big blow). 

Grandma Bebe sings a special song for Molly while it looks as if Evie got a quick lick of frosting. 

The three cousins check out Molly's birthday gifts.  Evie tells Molly the Octonaut changes color in the water.

Ah, what a day!  Gotta lean back and relax! Job well done.

Another McDonald tradition is bringing out the bubbles after the hunt.  Ellie is delighted and loved every bit of chasing after the bubbles, even as they popped in her face. 

Meanwhile, Daddy played "dragon" and chased after all the little princesses (and Stan the prince) through the yard.  The only thing that would turn him back to Daddy was a kiss from his princess! 

New Jersey wheeling!

We headed up to Bebe and Popi's on Friday to celebrate Easter!  Evie had a great time pedaling down the sidewalk in the sun.  

 

Ellie got into the action too, by having Mommy push her around on the scooter. 

 

Then she assisted Daddy with planting pansies in the garden - she knows how to wield that shovel.

 

 But she did not help much because Ellie liked pouring dirt back onto the pansies once planted. 

Evie on the go!