how we spent our Saturday

We started by going to a big yard sale (this should make our friends proud), and finding exactly what we were looking for, and for a much lower price than we dared to hope. So, now L1 is the proud new recipient of an exersaucer, and W1 wishes it was his. I am looking forward to the sounds of W1 and L1 happily playing near each other and not having to worry about anyone stepping on anyone else!

Next, we headed down to the Naples Grape Festival, where we picked up:

a couple of these:

some of these:

and, oddly enough, 2 of these:

We also enjoyed ate some grape tarts and gyros, had fun people watching (saw TWO strollers specifically made for carrying dogs), and learned that W1 is frightened of the dunk tank.

So, mark your calendars for next year, we highly recommend it!

I just thought you should know...

That today is Thursday, September 25th. I know exactly what I will be doing tonight at 9pm. Do you?

ugh, I'll never move again

I'm sorry that this post will be completely devoid of photos, but our camera decided not to come back to Rochester with us. I think it heard about how cold winter is here. The camera is stuck in R1's office in DC, but hopefully soon someone will force it into a box and mail it back to us. I didn't realize how much I used the camera until now!

A quick run down on what we all have been up to:

R1: Settling back in at school, and into his Young Men calling at church. (I should probably let him speak for himself here, because he would probably have something more exciting to say...)

K1: Slowly unpacking all the boxes that we had stored in our basement, and muttering under my breath as I do it. I really don't like packing/unpacking. It makes me want to get rid off all the excess stuff we have. If I just start giving things away, R1 won't mind, will he?

W1: His word explosion continues. Today he said keys and boat. Not words usually required for survival, but fun anyway. And he has rediscovered the word "no". Now he frequently says it to L1, while taking away a toy...

L1: He has just about perfected the commando crawl, so look out! W1 is about to experience a whole new sibling dynamic.

And we all worked hard on Saturday painting our exterior doors jet black. I'll have to post a photo later. I think they look pretty sharp, but R1 did make the point that if you just glance at it, it looks like you left the door open. A good excuse for a wreath or other door ornament?

guess what?

L1 has his first tooth.

Why does it make me feel so much better that there was a legitimate reason for all the crankiness? And why didn't I see this coming? (he was displaying all the classic signs...)


W1 is now experiencing a word explosion. Yesterday, out of the blue, he could suddenly say "tree", and "ball", and "bath". I've been looking forward to this for a while because pointing and whining will only get you so far.

So, hooray for communication and being able to bite!

aaaaand we're back

in Rochester. We arrived late Thursday night and have spent all day Friday cleaning (yeah, the undergraduate boys who rented our house weren't too meticulous), unpacking, and trying to readjust to the Eastern time zone.

We brought back with us the following:

• dirty laundry that needs washing
• lots of toys that W1 got for his birthday
• lots of books that K1 got for her birthday
• a bad cold
• not our camera
• not the stuffed animals W1 sleeps with
  

I wonder when everything will be back to normal? (will it ever? and what is normal, anyway?)

The J. Paul Getty Museum

Last Saturday, we drove down to L.A. to visit the J. Paul Getty museum. I remember going on a field trip in elementary school to the old Getty museum site in Malibu (what is now the Getty Villa). The main museum has moved to a hillside overlooking Los Angeles. It has an amazing view of downtown L.A., beautiful architecture and gardens. We used to make a habit of visiting every time we were in California, but it has been a couple of years.

We spent a lovely day wondering around through the exhibits and gardens. W1 tried to convince us that we should let him swim in the fountains, but we resisted. We placated him with a frozen fruit bar that he ate and dripped all over the front of his shirt. And his shoes. And the ground. But he sure did enjoy it.

Currently exhibited is a collection of Bernini's portrait sculptures. They were breathtaking. It is amazing that a chunk of marble could be made to look so soft and alive.

I highly recommend The Getty to anyone living in the L.A. area (and there are several of you!). It is worth the trip, and you could fill several Saturdays before you see everything. I wish we had time to go back again!

another perfect day at the beach

Now, I'm not trying to make you jealous or anything, but the weather here is really, really nice. And the beach is pretty great, too... We just can't stay away.

Anna and Alex came to play with W1 at the beach last Tuesday. They had a lot of fun playing together in the sand. And their moms had a lot of fun visiting while the kids played.

L1, well, he was just giving me attitude.