treasure map.

I was cleaning out a closet and set aside a big piece of paper to take out to the trash. Within seconds, Amelia had claimed it (sometimes I think she has magical powers for this kind of thing) and quickly drew a treasure map. It's easy to get frustrated by many of the things my kids do (and even frustrated with myself for getting so frustrated) but I never get tired of watching Amelia's imagination at work.

the long weekend.

Our Presidents Day weekend started on Friday with a trip to the zoo. I took Elsa and Oliver primarily as an excuse to get outside and enjoy the warm weather. Lots of animals were outside enjoying the weather as well, including the orangutans on the O-line.

Friday night we did our annual indoor winter campout. In the past we have made tinfoil dinners in the oven, roasted marshmallows on the gas stove, and enjoyed a TV campfire via YouTube. But this year we were able to enjoy our fire pit and a real fire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. The girls loved sleeping in their sleeping bags in the living room.

 

On Monday we decided to get banh mi at a highly rated Vietnamese deli in the Eden Center, Song Que. Our sandwiches were so good. We also tried a few of their smoothies which were also delicious.

A few interesting deli items.

We ended the weekend with a visit to Jones Point Park. It was a beautiful sunny day. But still pretty chilly. The kids didn't seem to mind.

valentine's day.

We set out our mailboxes like last year and had fun leaving notes and treats for each other the week before Valentine's Day.

We made cake pops for Amelia's class and heart-shaped sugar cookies just for the sake of making sugar cookies.

We had leftover supplies from last year so we just repeated the fish bowl Valentines for school.

We had a Valentine-themed dinner on Valentine's Day with heart-shaped pancakes and eggs, red beverages, and heart decor. The lip straws were a big hit.

back to school.

I've been able to volunteer in Amelia's classroom for a few hours every week. It's really fun to see what she's working on at school and get to know the kids in her class.

One week I helped them make "Stone Soup" and cornbread and then joined them for the feast.

I found this pile of "notes to self" on Amelia's desk. They amused me.

On Valentine's Day I helped the kids decorate bags for their valentines.

elsa in the morning.

oxon hill farm.

saturday outing: Ai Weiwei

A few weeks ago we went to the Hirshhorn to see the Ai Weiwei: According to What? exhibit. It was really fantastic. The girls were intrigued by many of the installations. Oliver desperately wanted to get out of the stroller. But an unrestrained Oliver at an art museum is a recipe for disaster. The security guards follow us around closely as it is.

Elsa was pouting about something. As she often is.

 

We stopped at the Air and Space Museum next door but didn't stay too long. I forget how crowded the more popular museums get.

It was cold. Really cold.