Return to Massachusetts...

Avenue, that is.
That's right, folks, it's official. As of 6pm today we are the proud owners of a Wardman-style row house on Massachusetts Avenue in Washington DC. Lavender and rosemary plants as well as a plum tree grow in the front yard, inside sports 3+ bedrooms, there is a small backyard with a deck and room for parking and a small garden. And we're just one block from the Metro. Lot's of possibilities!

Moving day is Saturday - we'll keep you updated on progress and post more photos soon!

One Misty Moisty Morning...

Mike and Eagle took the afternoon off and we all got in the car and drove out to Thurmont, Maryland where the two Mikes did some flyfishing in Big Hunting Creek. Mayumi and I were going to go apple-picking, but it was pouring rain, so we opted to just buy our fruit at the orchard market. We visited Pryor Orchard and got a bushel of peaches and a bushel of Cortland apples. At Catoctin Mountain Orchard we picked up Concord grapes, blackberries, several jams and a blueberry-peach pie. We had plenty of time before we needed to pick up the boys, so we drove around and happened upon the Grotto of Lourdes. It was misty and mysterious - and incredibly moving. I've always been impressed and touched by the respect the Catholics have for Mary, as the mother of Jesus.

When we finally did get the guys, they were soaked, but they were so happy. I don't get what the joy is about fishing, especially in the rain, but I'm glad it makes them happy.

stairs

she climbs stairs now.

moms and babes

My good friend Ginny was in town this past week and I was lucky enough to have her and her family stay with us for a few days. It was like having a sleepover - we would stay up late chatting and giggling, and during the day we got together with a bunch of our friends. It's been a really fun week, but even more than that, spending time with Ginny is always enlightening. And I don't mean that lightly - she has been a huge influence in my life. She is an amazing mother and a strong believer in natural home birth, attachment parenting, homeschooling... and she is so well-educated and informed in these subjects and teaches me so much. So this has been a thought-provoking week for me. And fun, did I mention that already?

On Monday we had a picnic at the Arboretum.

Paul loving the koi.

Meredith, Sofia and Mirabel feeding the fish.

Suzanne and Tennyson by the pond.

Maya LOVES fish. In fact, the only animal noise she makes is "ba" which is supposed to be the sound the fish makes when it opens and closes its mouth. She just kept repeating "ba" and panting as she watched the koi.

The kids in the pumpkin patch.

Kim, Peter and Kristin.

Suzanne, Clara and Martin.

hugs

moms and babes

a sleeping Fionn.

this cactus topiary cracked me up.

On Tuesday a handful of us met up at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History to see the live butterflies.

Cora and Maya happy to see each other, as usual.

look at the butterflies!

Lily did NOT want a butterfly to land on her. Katie didn't mind. Cora didn't notice. pretty.magical.

On Wednesday I met up with Ginny at her friend Julia's house. Julia is a groovy homeschooling mom. She's my friend now, too. We sipped tea, knit, and Ginny taught me how to use a new baby carrier wrap. Always an education.

And today we went to her friend, Karine's, home in Takoma Park. The kids played in the big yard and we all ate some delicious lunch. Weather was perfect (I love the fall!) and the company was good.

wood piles can be anything in your imagination.notice the teepee in the background. seriously, a teepee. this was a very cool backyard.MaurLo with Ellen and Maya. Ellen is only 3 months older than Maya, but she has been walking for a while, and she talks and signs a lot. I'm hoping she'll teach Maya a thing or two.this yard had a hammock, too.
Fionn Maya loved all the new toys and the freedom to frolic and play.lunch around the tree stumpsMaya giving Ellen a ride. Looks fun, right?

I am going to miss Ginny when she goes back to Cambridge. She's pretty much convinced me to homeschool Maya (and any other ones that may follow), so you can be sure I'll be calling her a lot for tips and pointers.

A Date With a Twin (Part II)

I was finally able to have my date with Mirabel, quite a few weeks after I had a date with her twin sister, Sofia. Surprisingly, all Mirabel wanted to do was ride the bus, since she had never done so before and that is what Sofia did with us last time. So, we hopped on the D6 and headed to the Building Museum, where we met Katie and Cora for some good times.

wicked cute in her builder uniform
yes, Maya and I are wearing matching outfits... and yes, I am a dork.
Maya didn't think the hat matched her outfit.

Coming home on the bus proved a bit more difficult: rush hour with a baby in a stroller (who had to be taken out while on the bus), and a pre-schooler who had just fallen and scraped her knees. I balanced the two on my lap with people squished in all around us, trying to keep a screaming Maya from pulling off the earrings of the (large) woman sitting next to us. I don't know how moms do it with more than one kid. Props to them!