Julia’s Gallery – The Goose

Julia drew this picture the other day and when she was finished she brought it to me and told me that she had something “very special” for me.  When I asked her what she had drawn she told me that this was a goose.  She then proceeded to explain that the red circle and orange at the top is the body, the red in the lower right corner is the mouth, the pink line coming out of the circle on the left is it’s tail, and the pink spots below the body are the wings that go “flap, flap, flap.”  This was the first time that she has narrated her art for me and it was amazing to hear her explain the details.  I think we have lots of entertaining stories to look forward to! 

Play Ball!

We went to Julia’s 2nd baseball game tonight.  Last weekend we went to a Pawtucket Red Sox game with my parents and Julia had a great time.  Tonight, our friends and neighbors were kind enough to share some tickets for the Nationals game.  The game was supposed to start at 7:05.  At 4:00 Julia was insisting that it was time to go to the game!!!  So we got there early, watched some batting practice, had some hot dogs (and chili cheese fries from Ben’s Chili Bowl – a DC institution), stayed in our seats for a total of two innings, had some ice cream, and then headed home.  It was a fun night with a few special moments:

• Julia kept asking where the chicken was – she meant Screech the Nationals mascot, who is actually an eagle… not sure he would appreciate being called a chicken!
• Julia was completely wired and kept dancing around the concourse making everyone laugh.
• Julia singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” – enjoy!

Rainy Days

We’ve finally reached the end of a very long week.  On Sunday we returned to VA from a successful trip up to Rhode Island where we found a house to rent for the next year.  We’re excited to have that settled but we’ve all been feeling a little down about returning to VA and having another month ahead of us before we will be up there and getting started on our new adventure. 

For this week, we did not have any classes or organized activities arranged.  The kids in the neighborhood went back to school.  And we were stuck inside A LOT because it has rained every single day.  Not little showers either – torrential downpours that lasted for hours. 

While we did get out of the house each day to do our normal weekly errands like grocery shopping and a trip to the library, there was a lot of time to fill up.  Thankfully, I have been thinking about new activities to do with Julia and have recently been inspired by many posts on a website called Pinterest (a very cool and addictive site).  So we made a trip to the store early this week to stock up on some new craft supplies and we were set. 

We created pictures of apple trees with construction paper and paint, using straws to make the apples.  We made and played with playdough that smells like apple pie.  Julia explored a discovery box that I put together with different objects hidden amongst dried beans.

We made sculptures out of marshmallows and toothpicks:

And more sculptures out of pipe cleaners and a colander.

Our neighbor Meg came by today and helped with that one.  And when it was finished we decided it looked like a silly hat so we all tried it on.

We sorted through buttons, finding ones of the same size or color and picking out our favorites.  We hula-hooped.

And today, when we were very sick of rain, we made chocolate cake… with peanut butter frosting… and chocolate chips.

And then the sun came out!!!

A Budding Photographer

So Alyssa and I have never been great about getting pictures of the two of us when we go somewhere. However, it looks like we may have solved that problem. Julia, who has been fascinated by the camera since she first saw it, asked to take a picture of Alyssa and I together tonight. It took a couple of tries but in the end she got a great shot.

Julia’s title for this photo is “Mommy and Daddy Snuggle.” I think she is a natural! 

Silliness on Tuesday

Me: AAAACCKKK!

Julia: What mommy?

Me: There’s a lizard on our couch

Julia: What? What Mommy?

Me: There’s a lizard on our couch

Julia: Why?

Good question.  But it provided us all with a good laugh as Andrew chased the lizard all over and around the couch and family room before finally catching it and releasing him back outside.

Wish I had a picture or a video would be even better but you’ll just have to use your imagination… the lizard was FAST. And even left us with his tail (which moved for an impressive 3-5 minutes after he lost it).

Growing Up

Yesterday was a day of surprises mostly having to do with personal grooming (Julia’s not mine).  First, she actually suggested that we should take a shower.  Meaning she and I should take a shower together.  She had done this with Daddy over the weekend and really enjoyed it so I said sure.  Then, once we were in the shower, she used her soap and washed herself all over and then after watching Mommy, decided that she would wash her hair.  And she did.  She did a pretty good job too.  I helped a little with the back and with the rinsing but overall it was an good independent effort!  This was quite surprising because she hates getting her hair washed – usually there is crying and screaming and you would think someone was torturing her with sharp implements but she happily scrubbed and then stood under the shower and rinsed.  Wow. 

Then after the shower, she needed her toenails painted. Check. And then while I was drying my hair she decided she’d like to try that too!  That was a bigger surprise than her washing her hair.  The hair dryer routine usually goes something like this: first I have to warn her that I’m going to use it; then we count down to when I turn it on; and finally she stands on the opposite side of the room until I am finished and she feels it is safe to come near me again.  So when she sat on my lap and let me dry her entire head I was beyond shocked.  And also starting to realize that my baby is turning into a little girl.

On the Green

Julia had her first golf lesson with Ampa Herb while we were in Charlottesville this weekend.  Here’s a glimpse of her practicing her putting.