Darby's First Lost Tooth

Darby lost her first tooth on Thursday. It came out while she was eating an apple. She was so excited to show her class the next day. She's growing up.

Brendan and Buddy

 

Buddy feels comfortable around Brendan. He now runs from Paige. But I'm his favorite. :)

Awesome Day

This Saturday we didn't have anywhere we had to go. This is a rarity lately. And so we planned to make it an awesome family day. In the morning we went to the garage sales in our neighborhood. I miss the thrifting times Jason and I had in AZ. We found some great stuff, particularly camping gear and yard tools. The kids each got some new toy (Brendan got a star chart and a science book, the girls got dolls) and they were happy.

We planned to go to the opening day of the pool but that began at noon. To pass the time, Jason got the gumption to organize the garage. It looks pretty fabulous now.

And then let me tell you about the pool at the Officer's Club. It's gorgeous!! With the Potomac behind it, a diving board and slide in it and a snack bar to boot, it's pretty great. It also has a gated toddler pool and is never super crowded. We had fun swimming and realized what we need to acquire this summer to have a more fun time there. I knew we could use some pool toys. 

That evening, Jason promised the kids that they could camp in the backyard. He set up the tent and cooked burgers on the new grill we had purchased. We made s'mores too! We had dinner outside and a movie in the tent. The kids loved it!! However, only one made it all the way through the night in the tent (Eva). Everyone else came back in to their bed by midnight. I'm not too surprised. 

Darby and Eva talked about our Saturday as "the most awesome day ever!" for over a week. Well done parents. :)

Brendan note: I got a Lego board game! How could you not say that? Also, the "science book" was about Pearl Harbor. It has some interesting history.

Weather

Weather here in VA has been crazy lately. One day it was a lovely morning. I picked Jason up at lunch so we could drop his car off to get some work done. On the way home, it got cloudy and dark. Then it began to rain and hail as hard as I've ever seen it.

 It's scary to drive in that!! I was barely able to see. Luckily we weren't too far from home.

By the time the bus came with the kids a few hours later, it was sunny again. Weird. 

Torpedo Factory

For one of his Webelos requirements, Brendan had to coordinate a family outing and for another he had to go to an art museum. We decided to combine the two and went to the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria last Saturday. It is called the Torpedo Factory because it is in an old munitions factory. Local artists have studios inside and you can visit each one. It is four stories of awesome stuff! We had a great time. I want to go back when I can wander more slowly and not worry about Paige breaking things. 

Outside the art center was this man, playing songs on his water glasses. It was amazing. I cannot believe how people can do that. It must require such skill, pitch and memory. He played the Star Wars theme while we watched.

Once inside we saw a few big sculptures. Eva wanted her picture taken by the emu. Paige actually jumped up on one that had rollers and it took off down the hall a bit. Luckily, Jason was able to stop it before it went more than a few feet.

After that she was cranky and wouldn't listen so Jason took her to a timeout in the car and I took the older kids onwards. We saw some amazing jewelry (Darby's favorite part of the day) and talked to the man who made them. He was a sweet older man who loved to talk art to the girls. It was fun to watch their interactions. When they said they weren't good at something he encouraged them , "Good art takes practice. Don't give up." 

We also went to this artist's studio where she uses recycled materials in her art. The piece behind the girls is all made of old Encyclopedia Brittanica pages. She was super cool too. The girls wanted to show her some art that they had made that morning and brought with them. 

We wandered farther in to see breathtaking paintings and sculptures. Jason and I found a piece that we want to look into buying someday (we settled for a postcard of it for now). 

At the top floor there was the Alexandria Archaeology Society. Recently, a very old ship was found buried under the street when they tore down an old building to do some new construction. Scientists are still studying it but it is belived to be from the early 1700's. There were quite a few shoes found on board so they think it might have been a merchant ship to the colonies.  So cool!! The kids loved this part where they got to see and touch some artifacts.

After that we walked a bit around the waterfront (another place I want to go back and explore) and got treats at an old fashioned ice cream parlor. What a way to end a fun afternoon. We live in a great place!

Super Paige

I told her she looked so cute. That offended her. "I'm not cute! I'm a superhero!" Well Paigey, superheroes usually wear clothes.

School Carnival

FBES had a school carnival this Friday to raise money for the PTO fund. It was lots of fun. There was a dunk tank, carnival games and bouncy houses.

Paige and Eva both made amazing ring toss shots. Judging by their throwing stance and arm release it really is quite amazing that those rings made it onto the cones. 

Darby threw the football hard at the ball toss and hit one of the unsuspecting football players in a rather sensitive area. 

The kids got candy and little prizes at the games.

There was also a fire truck that he kids could get inside and check out.

The kids enjoyed seeing teachers and friends outside of school. 

Two Teeth in One Day

Brendan had a loose molar on Wednesday. He was messing around with it all day. The next morning, his dad suggested that they pull it out. Jason told him what to do and, sure enough, Brendan pulled it out himself. What I didn't know was that he had another loose molar. He pulled that one out at school. Now he has a big hole on the side that he can out his tongue through. He thinks it's neat. I think he's that much closer to adult teeth and braces.

The two Elsas

I was on the porch talking to Erica when Jason came home. This is what he found in the kitchen. Two little girls all dressed up snitching strawberries. 

Artist

Darby went on a field trip to an outdoor program this week. Her homework was to draw about her favorite part of the field trip. Here is what she drew.

She liked snack time. I like that attention to detail (her hairstyle complete with mismatched bows, colored just like her outfit for the day, the snack she did bring). I love that she drew with perspective and proportion. Drawing it from the back is more interesting and, in my estimation, advanced for a six year old. This girl loves art.

Bowling Skills

Look closely and you will see the following: bumpers up on the sides, roller thing ready to go, all the pins are set... and its the second frame. 

Bumpers up, all pins standing... second frame. 

Paige somehow managed to get a gutterball with roll guide and bumpers. I am still not sure how though I was watching the entire time. Paige is a MASTER contrarian. 

Paige's first Daddy Date

Jason here.

Thursday night is date night in the McDaniel house where one of the kids and a parent go and goof off for a couple hours. Paige is now old enough so away we went. I figured we could go to the park and swing around and so on.

Nope.

"I wanna go to the PX (mall) Daddy."

"Ok, you go it."

Off we went. First stop was the food court to get a surprisingly good cheese-steak sandwich.

Then it was off to wander the halls of commerce. I figured we could look at the barbies and Dad would persuade them to choose a small, relatively inexpensive doll and away we go.

Nope.

There was no wandering, no hesitation. Paige knew exactly what she wanted and where it was.

Mickey and Minnies Mini Mall. To say it cost more than I was planning on spending is an understatement. I tried diversion, I tried reasoning, explaining it was too expensive.

Not happening man.

I called mom to explain the situation. "Oh the Mini Mall? She has been eyeing it for weeks. I told her no. Paige said "Its ok... Daddy will buy it for me."

And I did.

So basically we have been holding off on Paigey dates because we didn't think she would be able to appreciate the time and wouldn't get it. Hah.

Oh she's got it alright... and a new Mini Mall.

A Budding Architect

Paige built this all by herself. She says it's a castle. Impressive.

Mothers Day

On Mothers Day, Jason let me sleep in. The girls were very excited to give me my gifts. Eva and Darby made me numerous cards and art and showered me with praises. Paige told me she loved me in sign language (Sunbeams had been working on that) and she made me a drawing. Brendan told me "Happy Mothers Day". That's about all I expect from him (and to take into account that I had said all I wanted today was no fighting). 

At church the primary kids sang a song to mothers. It's the first time that all of my kids were up there. It was also funny to note the differences in my children. Brendan really didn't want to be up there and his face showed it. Paige waved excitedly at us from the stand but didn't know the song. Eva sang with a slight "deer in the headlights" look but she knew all the words. Darby had been practicing all week and she saw this as her moment. She sand loudly and proudly, heard above all other primary children. :)

At home the girls and Dad made dinner. I said I wanted Lemon Soufflé Pancakes with raspberry sauce. After an initial flub in the recipe (gotta read it all the way before you start dumping ingredients in), they came out super yummy. They also made a blueberry dessert that I will definitely make again. I ate the leftovers when the kids were in bed. :)

Jason gave me an onion chopper as a gift and a fun card. I know it doesn't sound fun or exciting but it is totally what I wanted. I hate chopping onions and avoid recipes that require it. I got to use it the next day and it was sublime. He knows me well.

I got texts and emails from other mothers in my life too. It was a nice day. The kids almost managed to pull off the "no fighting" request all day. ;)

Word Play

Brendan loves puns. He came up with this one.

Hi Ho Silver

Our red Mazda has been making strange noises ever since the engine overheated. It leaks oil and the brakes squeak. It's embarrassing to roll up to the gate and see the guard flinch as he hears your car squeal. Jason calls the engine noise "the maracas". So, when our tire light came on twice a week ago, we took it in to get the tires looked at (and check out a local auto shop). They fixed a nail hole in our tore (thank goodness that was something small and cheap to fix). The shop was fast and honest so Jason made an appointment to get the whole car looked at on Monday. We dropped it off at lunch and the next day I got the phone call.

After a laundry list of things that needed fixing and a quote of almost half of the cost of a new Mazda, we set out to look for a new car. Sadly, Mazda5s are discontinued so there aren't a lot around now. We looked into a minivan but our garage just won't hold both cars with a huge minivan. Luckily, there was one 2013 model for a decent price and with some cool bells and whistles. The sound system is such that it instantly pairs with my phone and starts playing my mp3s as soon as I get in the car. It has leather seats too.

We went after school on Tuesday and got it. After a used car inspection and a few tweaks (tire rotation, new brake rotors and a new battery), it runs more smoothly than any car we've ever had. We have come to understand that a reliable car is worth it weight in gold and that we probably should maintain our cars better. I hope this car will last a good long while because I'm kinda in love with it. 

Virginia Weather

I have to say that the weather in VA is very unpredictable. Last week (in May) we had hail. I was on the computer and heard something small being thrown at the windows. I was about to tell the kids to stop it when I looked up. Hail the size of marbles!

All week it has been rainy. That's been a little rough. The kids are bored and more messes abound.

At least it will make for nice greenery soon. The lawn is growing in nicely. But it sure would be nice to see the sun, and to send them outside.