S'mores and Milk Art - what a Combination!

 

This weekend we had a delightful time despite not having any snow to play in!  All week, Evie was excited about her "camp out" in the basement.  We ended the night by making s'mores with our chocolate fondue pot... but, to be honest, the girls seemed to like eating the marshmallows plain without all that other fancy stuff.  Above, Ellie gets into the action with two fondue forks! 

 

Ellie tastes her first s'more.  Unfortunately, Mom and Dad had a little too many that night.  

 

Then, last night we had fun with a cool art project we entitled "milk art" (Mommy got the idea off of Pinterest).  It's simple - place whole milk in a shallow bowl and then add drops of food coloring. 

 

Then, add some dishwashing soap and voila - watch your art come alive! 

 

Ellie enjoyed it too, but her plate had to be moved away because the colorful milk looked too tempting for mischievous fingers! 

 

Later, Evie did the project for Daddy when he came home - here's her second work of art!  Such fun! 

Dancing Beauties

Our girls loves to dance all day and night and our new house provides a nice stage in the foyer.  As you can see from this video, Ellie loves to follow her sister's lead... but then may get just a little dizzy as the song goes on. 

March to the beat!  (obviously Mom is oblivious to the recording taking place, given her offscreen singing/commentary)

Ellie loves to turn around and around while Evie shakes her hips!  Getting dizzy...whoa, speed turtles, aim for the rug when you fall!  Watch out for the vacuum cleaner!  Woo, this takes quite a bit of concentration!

For the finale, some "floor" angels while Big Sis touches Ellie's nose.
 

POP art Excursion

This Sunday we checked out the Roy Lichtenstein exhibit at the National Gallery of Art (above in the East Gallery atrium).  Evie was very excited to see the painting of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck that we studied beforehand.  Ellie even liked the picture "Engagement," that she pointed to excitedly (we think it reminded her of the ring page in "Pat the Bunny").

Down in the moving walkway to the East Gallery, Evie is transfixed by the shiny light display. 

 

We pause to admire the beautiful waterfall fountain. 

 

On the way out, Evie throws a penny into the fountain to make a wish (or five). 

 

Ellie was also excited to make a wish - here is her third penny going into the fountain.   

Bebe and Popi join us for a belated White Christmas

Bebe and Popi came down on Friday after Christmas to celebrate with us in our new home.  We actually had snow on Saturday morning, but no accumulation, alas.  Evie was delighted to open her gifts, which included a First Game Certificate from the Yankees and Dorothy the Dinosaur. 

Popi and Evie share a big smile during the unwrapping. 

 

Ellie too is pleased with her new puzzles that she immediately begins playing with Mommy.

 

She later sits on Popi's lap and watches Mommy and Daddy open their gifts. 

 

Ellie tries on one of her new hats and mittens.  Later she would go exploring around the new neighborhood with Daddy and Bebe. 

 

Later that night Ba and Opa came over for a pot roast dinner.  Opa made some hot toddies for everyone, especially useful for those felt under the weather. 

 

We also lighted the candles on the German carousel and watched the "Baby Genius" (according to Evie) go around and around and around.  

 

We also celebrated Bebe's birthday with big smiles!  Thanks for a wonderful visit! 

It's a holly, jolly Christmas!

After a wonderful Christmas Eve, Evie was the first to wake Christmas morning and rushed to check out the deliveries from Santa. She got her special wish for a Butterfly DreamLite! That Santa, he always knows exactly what she wants!

We finally woke Ellie up an hour later to get her special gifts, a new wooden crib and a feeding set for her babies.

For Christmas lunch we were joined by the whole family again!  Dia looked pretty in pink and had fun playing with a new slinky.  

Ellie cozies up to Opa and reads "The Wheels on the Bus". 

 

We forgot one gift for Ellie last night, so the girls tore into the gift wrap with Ba. 

Ellie was later delighted with her new doll, which looked just like her! 

She also loved her stringing beads which made an impressive necklace. 

We pose for a group shot on the stairs, all smiles!  Merry Christmas, everyone! 

Stille Nacht, Heilige Night at the Foelsche's

It was Christmas Eve, which means it was time to celebrate at Ba's and Opa's house with some of our customary traditions.  Who greeted us at the door?  Why, it's Dia and Ba!

Uncle Karl, Aunt Amy and Dia pose for a family picture by Ba's beautiful tree.  

 

The girls (clearly the majority) rested on the couch while the boys set up the cameras and clicked away. 

Ellie cozied up to Ba. 

 

Our family portrait, Christmas 2012.  

 

What a great photo of the grandparents with their little bundles of joy! 

 

We made it, with eyes still open (barely) after a week of moving, unpacking, and Christmas decorating!

 

Then it was time to light the candles and have the kids walk to the Christmas tree singing "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht". 

 

 

Evie as the oldest takes the lead. 

 

 

Present time!  After quickly ripping through her gifts, Evie played Santa and helped Opa unwrap a book of science experiments to do with kids! 

 

After dinner, the three girls played a duet (triplet?) on the baby grand piano.  Some budding pianists here!  What a lovely night to remember! 

Rolling into the Botanical Garden Station

Over the holidays we were delighted to have Uncle Karl, Aunt Amy, and Dia come visit us.  On Sunday, we went to check out this year's train exhibit at the Botanical Gardens.  New this year were some topiary animals like this bear (I think).  

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Ellie, Dia and Evie check out the cool turtles and pet their mossy shells. 

Dia and Aunt Amy were all smiles as we entered the room full of trains - this year the theme was a fairy kingdom and there were many adorable little tiny fairy rooms, castles, and even a dragon to admire. And, of course, Thomas and Emily were there too - and Thomas even winked at Evie!