Home Sweet HOME

It was alot of stress, annoyance, mess, dust, bugs, critters, choas (would never do it again), but we're pretty much finally done with the addition YAY!!
There isnt anything about the design I would change, LOVE LOVE it. To quote, 'it's no longer a rambler', sums it up.  And it doesnt look like an addition.
The girls now have their own 'zone' upstairs including their own bedrooms with bunk beds for sleepovers and a playroom (that contains the mess! LOVE it!)

5th Bday Party!

We're months behind, esp on the bday thank you's.

Long story short, we got a computer virus, got new computer, but doesn't print like it should (sigh)...so instead of mailing cards, a BIG thank you straight from the girls. We hope everyone had a blast! We did! We THANK YOU!

 

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Go Tadpoles!

The girls are part of Fairfax pool's swim team, the Frogs; for 6 and under, the Tadpoles. For the little kids, it's mostly one-one time with their 'coach' to get more comfortable and progress in the water. Unless you're ready and noticed by your coach, you can be selected to compete in a meet. Laurel swam her FIRST meet last night and she WON!!!!

Even after getting a late start and EVEN after swimming towards her coach vs the wall, she WON! Notice in the video, Laurel is up the steps and out of the water before some kids reach the wall (!)

She may be short & compact, but she's freaking fast in the water!! I'm so impressed and proud.

Vienna also qualified for the meet, but she had to sit out due to a monkey bar accident (fractured elbow). I'm sure it'll be one of many, she is our climber and fearless.

Isn't she lovely...

Vienna wanted to cut her hair (like Peter Pan-- which ensued into a 'talk'). But It's her hair and makes her happy (and hurts no one), so we let her go for it. This was her choice, a 'pixie dust' haircut.
I think it really fits her, highlights her big, brown eyes and heart-shaped face. Vienna maybe a tomboy, but she can still rock a pink tutu and is just a silly, sweet girl at heart.

More Memorial Day wkend pics fm our canoe trip and trek to dinosaur land , a cheesy, tourist trap-- but of course the girls loved it. And so cute when they recognize and know all the big dinosaur names.

Alittle busy with..

but we did manage to get out of dodge for our annual mother's day trip to monster trucks on the beach! we saw three shows from the comforts of our balcony (the show is so popular, have to book a year in advance)-- enjoyed every one, esp the crazy, oooh--ahhhh---wheeling-freestyle!

what, you have to go potty? go inside.

what, you need a drink? go inside.

what, you're too hot? go inside.

no lines, no hassle, doesnt get any better than that. happy mother's day to me!

babysitting club

Once a month, we get four glorious hours of us-only, kids-free time. Enough time to catch lunch and a matinee. We are four families/friends from HMCD school (all within 5miles radius) who take turns hosting the babysitting club. It's a monthly play date for the kids and free babysitting for us. Gotta love that!!

Mini-Vacas

We take two main vacas over the summer. But we have the travel bug (life is short, get off the couch!). So every other month, we take mini-trips.
Winter fun trip at the Homestead in January. Highly recommend for families and beginner ski-ers.

Camping at Westmoreland State Park in March. Vienna has been asking to go camping to roast s'mores, 'since s'mores aren't good unless at a campfire'. Spring is the perfect time to go, no bugs! And cabins are the way to go, running water & heat... heaven :-)
The kids (we went with Vienna's best bud, Griffy and his family) enjoyed digging for shark's teeth, fishing, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs; even the trails were nice and short for their little legs. No agenda except to relax, hang out and enjoy the great outdoors-- perfect wkend getaway.

In May, we're headed to VA beach for some extreme truck racing!