Fun in the New House

Pa Mark came to help us out while we closed and got ready to move in to our new house.  We really appreciate all the help he gave us as we would not have completed nearly as many projects without his help.  Thanks Pa!

Pa swinging with Madelyn before closing at our neighborhood park.  Madelyn and Pa stayed and played while Daddy and I signed our lives away. :-)

Here is a sneak peak at Madelyn's room after Pa and I painted it.  Daddy and Pa hung the chair rails. We have decor on the wall now.  Madelyn loves the big girl bed and the owl them.  Whoo, whoo!! 

Within a week or two of living in the house, we discovered we have a friendly buck.  Kaitlyn named him Ally.    

A good friend Katie came to visit.  It was great to see her!!

Daddy is coaching Kaitlyn's soccer team.  She loves having daddy around to watch her and help her play.  

 Go Kaitlyn go!  This game she played with another little girl from her class.  We weren't sure if they enjoyed kicking dirt or playing soccer more. 

Kaitlyn and daddy after the game.  

Family Picnic

We took the girls to the National mall for a picnic by the Washington Monument.  A nice passerby offered to take a picture for us.  We hope to do this more often!

Madelyn's First Day of School

Madelyn started her preschool program this month.  She could not wait to carry her lunch box in to school.



Madelyn stood and waited very patiently and stayed happy for most of the time.

After a few minutes, she starts questioning what is going to happen (i.e. mommy leaving her).

 I left Madelyn in tears the first two weeks, but I am happy to report that that she had a great week (now October) and went to class both days without crying.  She received a 'happy' gram one day!!  Yay for Madelyn!!

Kaitlyn Starts Kindergarten

Prior to starting school, we had an invitation from the school to attend Popsicles on the Porch.  It was an opportunity to tour the school, meet Kaitlyn's teacher, see her classroom and enjoy a popsicle.  

Kaitlyn approaching the school. She wants us to hurry up!

Madelyn enjoying a popsicle.  

Afterwards, Kaitlyn and I don our Lion t-shirts.

Check out our awesome tails!

In addition to starting school, Kaitlyn is working on tying shoes.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN KAITLYN!!

Mommy wanted to make everyone french toast and fruit on this special day.  

Kaitlyn showing off her matching back pack and lunch box.  

Our awesome, friendly, pretty kindergartener!

Kaitlyn smiles with mommy and daddy!  

Madelyn giving Kaitlyn a hug before the big day.  

Kaitlyn walking excitedly up the school ramp. 

Kindergarten here we come...

Kaitlyn makes her way to her desk.  

One last shot of Kaitlyn before we left.  

Madelyn being silly with daddy as we left the school.  

I am happy to report that Kaitlyn said she had a GREAT day!  She loves kindergarten.  They went to music class, recess (twice), ate in the cafeteria and had center time.  The only thing she didn't like was some boys telling her 'no girls allowed.'  So, Kaitlyn chased them around the playground to tell them that attitude was not nice.  Love my girl!!

Jumping in the Pool

The girls love to swim!  

Here is Madelyn perfecting her jumps and Kaitlyn trying to dive at the apartment pool.

Oh The Places We Went: Adventure 4

A few adventures are rolled into this one as I'm still trying to find some pictures.  Gamma Linda and Aunt Niki came to visit.  We took them on a tour of the new house and playground and around the city via the metro.  Everyone was a trooper.  

I believe this fateful metro trip, mommy made everybody run to get on the train so we didn't miss it.  It probably was not the best idea to rush two kids and two visitors onto an almost departing metro train.  Thanks troopers!!

 We enjoyed a visit to the downtown Air & Space museum.  Kaitlyn and Madelyn got to sit in a small plane cockpit.

Aunt Niki and Madelyn played a gravity game.  

After the air and space museum, we went for another carousel ride and then ate lunch at the Smithsonian Castle.  It was a fun little deviation from the normal lunch routine.  

Kaitlyn usually sat with gamma or Aunt Niki on the train rides.  Mommy kept Madelyn entertained and/or awake.  

 A quiet morning breakfast in our apartment.  

 The group headed to Old Town to eat at our favorite Greek restaurant.  

Kaitlyn took this shot of gamma Linda with my iPhone - good eye Kaitlyn!!

 Relaxing afternoon after a busy morning.  Kaitlyn made a dog house for her stuffed puppy Ruff Ruff.  

Madelyn enjoyed a bit of coloring.  

Oh The Places We Went: Adventure 3

Madelyn initially wanted to wear this out on our next adventure.  While stylish, mommy offered her favorite heart outfit as an alternative since it wasn't raining.  

On our third adventure, we visited the American Indian Museum children's exhibit.  It was a great hands on exhibit that we will go back to again.  

Kaitlyn and Madelyn weaved a big basket.  

The craft for the week involved making a paper native American Lakota quilt.  The girls really enjoyed the activity and wanted to do it again before we left.  The Lakota is representative of the Venus star in the sky that the Indians saw.  

Madelyn and Kaitlyn checked out a life size teepee and kayak.  

The kids exhibit also had several examples of native American instruments that the kids could play.  Kaitlyn and Madelyn tried as many as they could in the time we had left.  

After dinner, we took the girls swimming on our roof top pool at our temporary quarters.  Madelyn insisted on trying on the extra pair of goggles.  

We have two little fish who love the water.  They especially enjoy jumping in the water to daddy.  Stay tuned for video...