15 : 25 {my colonial girl}

Hannah's class hosted a Revolutionary War Museum for the parents today. The interactive "museum" had revolution-era characters with "buttons" for us to press and find out more about their place in history. Hannah complained to us about taxes. The whole thing was so well done!

Earlier this week, I read Passionate Homemaking's post about old fashioned rag curls. One mention of it to Hannah and she ready for me to start tying rags in her hair... perfect for "Colonial Day."

This is her hair after a full day at school and being in the rain. It was very curly this morning.

I'm afraid this is going to be a regular request. But sitting with my girl at night and talking while I do her hair... I'll gladly do that any night she will let me!

Here she is waiting for someone to "press her button"...

14 : 25 {my little elf}

Finally, someone is sealing all those envelopes for me.

(Thanks for the elf hat, Mom!)

11 : 25 {eight}

He is enthusiastic about everything.
Quick to encourage.
Tender-hearted and FUN.

Happy 8th Birthday, Will!

Early morning cards and gifts...


Mema and Grandpa, he loves the Nerf gun!


Lunch after church at Nando's (his pick).


Love that eight-year-old!

10 : 25 {saturday slow}

Another beautiful December Saturday. We started our day in Alexandria at a Christmas Brunch - a wonderful gathering of old friends catching up over coffee and Brad and Stacy's amazing spread of everything delicious. All while our giant group of kids played around us... up and down the stairs and to the rope swing out back.

We passed Arlington Cemetery on our way. Wreaths with red bows leaned against every white marker. So beautiful. Sadly, I couldn't grab my camera fast enough.

And just for fun... Merry Christmas, Georgetown! The kids loved this. It's easier to get photos when are sitting in traffic.


This evening, we had Will's 'family party' with the Flemings. And this is the only photo I have... Will is not even in it. Bad photo parenting on my part.

Even still, I love capturing these sweet moments our kids' share together... their in-town 'cousins.'

Tomorrow is the actual birthday. Gifts are in place, birthday banner hung, ready for another day of celebrating....

9 : 25 {birthday glow}

We celebrated Will's 8th birthday tonight with a glow-in-the-dark party. The boys loved it! It was wild... and with a big, bright, full moon to add to the effect. Here are a few of them getting set with their glow-gear for the outdoor games.

I'll post more party details and photos later. This theme was a lot of fun!

Let's see... it's 8:49 p.m. I think I may need to go to bed.

8 : 25 {authors' tea}

Every couple of months at school, they hold an Authors' Tea to honor two students from each grade that are selected based on their writing by a panel of teachers.

Will and his buddy, Juanita, were the 2nd graders honored this afternoon. They read their stories from the podium and then enjoyed cupcakes. So cute.

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And to show you what I mean about his costume-love, here is Peter's Thursday creation. He tells me that he is planning to make one for each of his friends to wear to his birthday party.

Catching Up : Thanksgiving

I know I'm late, but I couldn't not post photos from our Thanksgiving weekend.

Peter was in the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play, "Miracle in Massachusetts." He played Samoset and did a terrific job with all his lines.

Apparently, acting is exhausting work because he was "too tired" to smile for any photos after the play. We have a lot like this.


We hosted Thanksgiving dinner.

Hannah made her famous popovers.

These wonderful people came and celebrated with us. We ate and ate and then, later in the evening, the kids got out Twister of all games. I have no photos of that. Grin.

And my mom and dad were here the whole week! Folding my laundry, fixing leaky faucets, fetching take out, cooking the turkey.... Thanks, Mom and Dad!

Friday, we headed to the FDR and MLK Jr. Memorials.

It was a sunny day.


We tried to get a good family picture.

There were many attempts.

By the end of it, this is all I could get.

These two are much easier.

Before heading home, a little football.