It Must Be August...

A LOT has happened in the last few months since I have posted on this blog that I'm pretty sure has now safely made it into the "just for us" category.

A very quick run-down:

We went to Utah.

We moved to Delaware.

We went to the beach (Ahhhhh, the beach).

School starts on Monday for Sabrina and after Labor Day for Lucy.

The End. For now. Will update when I feel like it. I promise.

Let Summer Begin!

We officially ended school today, and although the 6:15 wake up time will NOT be missed by any of us, I was a little sad to see the school year come to an end. We have all changed a lot since the beginning of September, and I can't believe that Sabrina is done with Kindergarten and moving on to first grade. She was so sad to leave her friends and teacher at school, and I was equally sad. We came home and busted out the wading pool. I keep thinking that one of these days they are going to catch on that wading pools aren't really that different from taking a bath and demand a larger more exciting pool, but for now, I'm keeping them fooled because it's something to do while Julia naps!

Speaking of my Jelly Bean, she is nearly 9 months old (July 5) and just became mobile this week. It's the beginning of the end, my friends. She loves her sisters, putting things in her mouth, and "dancing" whenever she hears music. We love her crazy hair, bright smile, and baby rolls.

Paul and I spent last weekend in Delaware looking for housing and so far we haven't found anything. I think people hear "three kids" and think "no thank you!" We are still waiting on a few possibilities so hopefully one of those will pan out.

Funny Sister Convo of the Week:

Sabrina was making bracelets and necklaces out of curling ribbon and tape the other day when the following conversation occurred:
Lucy: Sabrina, you are talented at making things.
Sabrina: I know. It is one of my talents.
Lucy: You are a very big maker (everything good to Lucy is "big"...big sister, big kid, big helper)
Sabrina (sincerely): Thank you. And Lucy, you are the best "scribble artist" I know. You know how you scribble instead of draw? You are really good at that!

Other than that, nothing new to report. We are happy, healthy, and hot. (I will never be used to humidity!)

Oh and the laundry basket picture is of Lucy. She got under there and announced, "Look, I'm a turtle in his shell!"

As of Late

What have we been up to? Here are some pics to catch up a bit.

Paul has been taking the girls (not Jelly Bean yet) on dates once a month. It's great for them, great for him, and great for me. They love it! This month he took them to the paddle boats on the Tidal Basin by the Jefferson Memorial. They had a great time although Paul's legs were a little sore from getting that boat around by himself with wind resistance.



Noelle is an awesome cake maker. She needs her own Food Network show! Here's what she did for Noah's birthday a few weeks back:

It's an iPod Touch

Julia's working on her abs:



This past weekend we went to the National Air and Space Museum (among about 10,000 Girl Scouts who were in town for a Sing Along), did the carousel and saw an IMax movie (Hubble 3D...AWESOME). On Sunday, we sweated it out at the Capitol building. It was so hot though that we lasted about 45 minutes before heading back to air conditioning. If you can't tell, we are soaking up all we can while we can because soon we will live in Delaware...need I say more?

The Wright Brothers and the Sampson Sisters

Memorial Day Weekend

For Memorial Day weekend, we decided to travel down to the thriving metropolis of Orange, VA to see Montpelier (James Madison's home). Besides Montpelier, there is not a lot to see in Orange except for darling houses placed just so among rolling hills. According to the Wikipedia page, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has a home in Orange. We can't confirm this, but if it is true, we found the house that we assume is his. Seriously, I may need a country home in Orange at some point in my life.

Montpelier is awesome. Possibly my favorite of all the presidential homes that we've seen. It's pretty much a complete renovation, but the work that they had to do to return it to how it looked when Madison lived there is amazing. A detective story of sorts. It's really cool to sit in the room where the ideas behind our Constitution were born. And that's not even mentioning Dolley. I love Dolley. I'm sure we'd be friends. Just sure.

After that we went to the hotel to swim. It's been around 90 degrees with about 80% humidity, so a pool feels fantastic.

On the drive home, we were adventurous and took Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. There were beautiful views although I'd call the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Blue Ridge Hills. Once you've seen the Rocky Mountains and the High Uintas, you're a bit spoiled.

Jefferson Memorial

On Sunday we visited the Jefferson Memorial. Paul is a Lincoln Memorial fan, but I must say that Jefferson is the most picturesque and beautiful memorial. Notice the pic with Lucy's head down...and then notice the couple in the background laughing at me as I try my darndest to get her to look at the camera. We, of course, think our kids are cute, and apparently so do Asian tourists who kept taking unauthorized pictures of them. Not bragging, just a little creeped out :).

That Place Is A Zoo

We went to the National Zoo on Saturday. It was packed. If you know Lucy, you know that the animal kingdom and how it all works, is pretty much what she talks about all day long. So she was stoked! She was particularly looking forward to seeing the Giraffes, and wouldn't you know it that the National Zoo doesn't have Giraffes!! A big let down, but you can't complain about a free zoo. We still managed to have a great day together. P.S. Don't you love Lucy hugging Subby with all her might. That's what you get when you tell her to put her arm around Sub.

And another thing...(on my soapbox here) but when you are an adult at the zoo, please don't push your way to the front of the crowds trying to see the animals! There should be a line for people over 12 to stand behind. Just a thought.

Clemyjontri Park Party

Two weekends ago, Paul's firm had a picnic for families at Clemyjontri Park in McLean. Here's an aerial view of the place:



It's the swankiest neighborhood park I've ever been to. It was designed to be a park where kids with disabilities can play. It's complete with a carousel which is all my girls need to have a rip-roarin' good time. The face painter/balloon artist was also a hit.





I swear I don't pose her this way! She's ready for Cory Adams! And Lucy, well this was the best we could do:





Not a great picture of Jelly Bean. Let's see if she can redeem herself the next week at HomeGoods:



And Lucy...well: