Now I know

What kind of bday cake to you want?

the tomboy: Iron Man

the girly girl: princess or ballerina

Who do you want to invite to your bday party:

the tomboy: Griffy, Sevi (Sebastian), Nathan

the girly girl: Ada, Britian, Tamsen, Ella

While in the town of Vienna, hanging out by the train park, Eric spots a karate classroom, 'let's go ck out karate, hichi punch!'.

the tomboy: I want to do karate!

What about you? the girly girl: no, ballerina

at the end of class, soccer coach asks, 'do you want a pink sticker?'

the tomboy wrinkles her nose, 'no orange'

at the school's playground pick up, the tomboy comes home w/scratches and bruises on her leg.

the girly girl is usually sitting on the teacher's lap.

each morning getting ready for school, the tomboy wears socks and sneakers.

the girly girl dons 1 pink croc and 1 purple croc (fashion statement?)

for xmas, the tomboy requests a 'rocket car' (just like poppa). she doesnt like to let anyone else drive and likes to wash and clean her car (just like poppa).

the girly girl got her prancing, ride-on horse.

at the store, they get to pick one toy with their gift cards:

the tomboy wants the spiderman snorkeling kit (she still loves to swim and dive).

the girly girl chooses (yet another) doll, one w/long hair to comb.

our three musketeers:

Balance Balance

my camera bit the sands in OBX. eric was not happy and I heard many, 'I told you so'. i've lost count, this may be my 3rd camera in 3yrs? {sigh} it's not deliberate, but i tend to be hard on things (dishwashers, washing machines, vaccums have not survived).

i did get my new camera this wk. it's water-proof, shatter-proof and hopefully terri-proof.

and in time to capture the girls' first try at ice-skating. it was slippery-going at first. but laurel did better than expected. she found her ice legs and was able to walk on the ice, holding our hands. vienna just held on and glided along.

i was disappointed they didnt have the 'metal walkers' to assist the kids. i can barely skate, relying on the penguin walk. eric is much better and the girls enjoyed gliding and looping around the ice with poppa. their classes begin on halloween. it's a mommy/daddy and me class, so wish us luck (esp me!).

ISR Graduation

a couple of ppl have asked about the girls' swimming lesson. they graduated after 5 wks of lessons. they did fantastic.
it was alot of driving in traffic, rushing after school and beacoup costly, but in the end, very worth it. they can swim!

soccer tots

the girls started soccer class for the spring season. it's really alot of running around, kicking balls, but every class, they're taught at least one new skill.
for instance, they try to dribble the ball btwn their feet, or kick the ball fm underneath some one's foot, or try to right a knocked over cone w/just their foot--- soccer takes alot of balancing!

the class lasts for an 1hr and the girls are usually done (and whining no soccer) by 45 mins in, but every saturday, they're ready for more.






vienna sitting on a red square instead of the red line like everyone else. the girl likes to do her own thing.



class ends w/a soccer stamp ...go girl power!

Fun Classes

the girls finished up their toddler & me swim class. this instructor was much better than their baby & me swim class. we did lots of singing, and clowning around in the water so the girls felt comfortable but also learned techniques like kicking and blowing bubbles. overall, after every class, they've enjoyed the water more & more---and that's a huge accomplishment for vienna!

now it's ballet part deux. eric & i have mixed feelings about the teacher. she's older and must be a true bonde-fide dancer (thou it's obvious she only teaches now); so she tries to keep the class structured and the kids in queue. but for 2-3yr olds, theres only so much direction they can take!

last day of ballet

the winter dance session doesnt end until next week, but we'll over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go.

oodles of southern charm, seafood and QT with gramma, who spends the chilly months on an island community---should be a nice break fm the doldrums of winter---maybe even alittle sun bathing w/gramma.

oh, and we've signed up for summer ballet (eric wouldnt miss it :-)

Pre-school Hopes

i started researching pre-schools today, since open enrollment usually ends in February. supposedly, the demand for the better pre-schools in the area are greater than supply, resulting in years on the wait list.

some helpful links here and here. the girls will be just over 2yrs when the next school semester starts in september.

some of my preferences and limitations:
- christian base. learning with religion reinforced.
- same age class, not the montesorri mixed-ages trend. montessori is very popular with rave reviews, but i just cant quite envision 3-6yr olds relating well.
- good curriculum of arts, music, science, literacy and play
- age requirement under 3yrs old
- close by for drop and pick up
- part-time or 1/2 day option. they can transition to a full day the following year.

the best match is hunter mill country school. coincidentally,,eric went there for short period and has fond memories. they're not religion base, but has the extra perk of being on a 5-acre farm. the girls will love it (i'm a tad jealous i cant go :-)

will submit an application w/$100 non-refundable (ouch) deposit fee tmrw. oh, and request an on-site tour. we'll see how it goes.

Our Angelina Ballerinas

Baby Ballet

the girls started their intro to ballet this morning---really more of chance for them to be around other kids in a fun, structured enviroment.

here are a couple of (not-so-great) shots since, it was their first class and they were alittle unsure. but they'll have plenty of time to warm up during the 3month session. arent the baby ballerinas beyond cute!

more pics to come, cant wait to see them prance around in their new tu-tus!

Gym-tastics

we decided not to sign up the girls for the fall semester since it's 20 wks long (double the summer semseter), which is a tad too long for a trial lesson.

until next year, here's some gym-tastic moves fm the little gym:

the gym circuit

we took the girls today to a free trial 'waddler' class at my gym in chantilly. i wasnt too impressed. the room smelled like musky socks and the class was mainly kids running around. there were a couple of cute group songs but that was it for 45min.

next stops, my little gym and gymboree play classes. it'll be fun for the girls to learn to tumble, balance and just have a good time developing their motor skills. and not have toys and equipment thrown at them, they get enough of that at home. just have to find the right class and instructor.