Happy (Early) Mother's Day!

Evie and her classmates sang a Happy Mother's Day song -- a very lovely gesture! It's even better when Evie sings it to Mom by herself at home.

Evie is an 'enchanting' ballerina...Ellie - a rock star (from the 80s)?!?

 

Evie got all dressed up on Sunday for her official ballet picture in her recital costume.  She and the girls are doing a song from the Disney movie "Enchanted". 

 

Evie practices her sashay up and down the patio.  

Evie and her classmates (the "Unicorns") pose in front of Tiny Dancers!  They are a pink sensation! (yes, mommy bucked conformity by placing Evie's bow on the wrong side, not intentionally, though)

 

...While Ellie likes to rock out with her saxophone!  It didn't take her too long to realize how to get it to play some tunes...

I swear at one point she had the saxophone held over her head a la Rob Lowe in St. Elmo's Fire.  Yeah, she knows she's got the rocker look!

Mommy was tempted to tie a '80s skinny tie around her forehead.  Yeah, you know what scene I'm talking about!  Don't deny it! 

Sunday in the Park with Sam...

 We had a lovely Sunday in the city... first stop, breakfast at Emily, Paul and Sam's on Capitol Hill where Sam was very generous with both sharing his trains and a delicious breakfast.  Then we checked out his favorite park which had a lot of rope climbing fun and cool slides. It was a lovely morning!

Evie lays back on the rope hammock and relaxes with Dad. Nothing like a laidback morning in the city - thanks to our wonderful hosts!

 

Then, it was off to the Portrait Gallery for another Family Fun Day to celebrate the start of Asian Heritage Month.  Ellie woke up from her nap and loves taking it all in, from the orchids to the storytelling and the music.

 

Ellie likes swinging the take-out box around which has two fortune cookies inside that Evie created out of clay.   Look at her cute little expression!

 

Baby on the go!  Just like her sister before her, she loves pushing her stroller around. 

 

Daddy's new trick to get Evie to smile for the camera is to ask her for a kiss, which does make our little one smile!

 

Evie models her new palm frond Hawaiian lei necklace that she helped Mommy braid, while she dances to the Filipino music in the background.  

Ellie is all smiles...

Ellie is all smiles these days - who can believe that our little munchkin will turn one in a few weeks?

 Just taking it all in, walking down the hall.  I've got some funny faces!

Mommy seems to get a lot of serious faces out of me! 

Ellie channels Ernst the Swiss Mountain Climber*

Ellie, now that she has mastered walking, is climbing up everything - the toy piano, the step stools to the bathroom sinks, the Little People dollhouse, and, as Daddy caught on the iPhone today, her Fisher Price mirror band toy.  We don't quite know where she's going from here, but found it pretty hilarious (as soon as Mommy gets over her initial heart attack and starts spotting her).  She seems to laugh too when she's caught in these places where she knows she shouldn't be.  What a character!
Sorry for the lack of posts, lately.  We have been enjoying just taking it easy over the last couple of weekends and there hasn't been a lot of time for photo opps.  Maybe next week we'll get motivated!
*Ernst is a character in Richard Scarry's "Busy, Busy World" - a pretty awesome book.

Bend it Like Evie

Evie had her first soccer practice on Saturday and she had a blast. Before class started, she did a lap or two with Daddy to warm up in her coolio retro Nike track suit.
Ellie enjoyed watching her sister run after the soccer ball. It looks as she has plans of her own - this is (one of) her mischievous looks.

Evie was all ears to Coach's instructions.

Evie gets ready to kick the ball into the net. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!

Opening Day at Nationals Park

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The family bundled up and headed over to Nationals Park for the opening day game against the Cincinnati Reds (I think... not much watching of the game was taking place). Despite the chill, Evie insisted on having a big chocolate ice cream cone and proceeded to get it over her face, jacket, and even her Yankees hat.


Ellie seemed happy to watch her sister make a mess instead of wanting to get into a mess for a change!



She loves being dipped by Mommy - and showing off all her teeth! Whee!


At the playground, Ellie got a ribbon tied to her hair so somewhat resembles Alfalfa the Little Rascal. Which rascal does Daddy most resemble? Spanky? Hmmm... tough call.


Evie really enjoyed the special Animal Kingdom moon bounce. She was very proud of how she played with the "rough" kids. We tell her she is very brave.


As you can see, she too was put in ribbons by the Nationals staff - pigtails are a new look but she's making it work.

We actually made it to the seven-inning stretch! Evie takes a break from her big cone of popcorn to sing "Take me out to the Ballgame!" Hooray Nationals! Welcome to a brand new season of possibilities!