Oscar's Fish

Swimming...action shot.
Oscar made this fish in Summer School today.
He had fun showing me how he makes his fish swim. In Alaska, our family is preparing to fish in a king salmon derby that opens Memorial Day Weekend every May...maybe Oscar's handiwork is a sign of big fish to come?

American Girl Tea

Eleanor & Kit enjoyed an afternoon Tea Party to celebrate the conclusion of their first grade introduction to the Literature Club. For the last month they have been reading about Felicity who lived in Colonial Williamsburg in the 1700's. As a second grader, she will attend weekly for the school year...wonder who she'll learn about next?

My Helper

Oscar helps me windex the doors...quite appropriate as most if not all of the fingerprints are his!

Water Play

My brave children...it was in the mid-60's this afternoon and they decided they wanted to play in the water. Out came the hose, purple kiddie pool & slip-n-slide!
Trying to get a photo of Oscar can be very difficult these days...

Daddy wetting the slide down.

Eleanor deciding when to go...they both did better after the water had been turned off & Daddy kept re-wetting it for them.

Success with a smile to boot!

And he's out! (7:15pm)

Complete with scissors in hand and a hole punch next to the evidence that this boy IS busy!

Eleanor the Entrepreneur

We cleaned the garage out today. I had bought this bike last fall to see if Eleanor was really ready to graduate to a 20" bike. Paid $10 for it on craigslist. She received a new one for Christmas and we saved this one, thinking friends could ride it when they were over for playdates. It hadn't moved so I suggested giving it away on craigslist for free. Eleanor said $5. We listed it and within 4 hours it was sold, to the customer of Eleanor's choice! Another 6 year old First grade girl came with her Mom and bought it, so she made a friend in the process too. I am so proud of her for salesman skills and know that she will go far, what a great life lesson!

Heritage Day

Eleanor on Heritage Day for RIF.
We were laying in bed at 8pm and she started crying. "Mom, I don't have anything to wear for Heritage Day tomorrow." I told her how it would have been nice to have some notice! Thankfully I remembered the Norwegian sweater I had bought a few sizes early for Oscar and the earrings I bought when we lived in Petersburg. Her teacher said she was very cautious throughout the day, taking good care of the sweater by folding it neatly when she went for lunch. She had been so concerned about not wanting to ruin the sweater, I told her we had a washing machine and to enjoy her day.

We had fun doing "Keirsten braids" & she was thrilled that I let her wear dangly earrings to school.

Blastball

Oscar is loving his first season of baseball. Here he is on the bench waiting to bat. Water break...swilling it back like an old pro.

Oscar and his buddy Caleb.

Batting tips from Coach

Eleanor has fun on the playground during Oscar's games.

There is also a tire swing that they love to play on both before & after games.

Go Nationals!

Flowers

Azaleas in the backyard
Clematis in full bloom

Eleanor planting green beans and carrots. She also planted nasturtiums & forget-me-nots and Oscar did Bachelor Buttons.

Chief Bottle & Dishwasher

Oscar has taken to "helping" me wash dishes and clean the sink. Although I don't love the water mess it keeps him entertained!

Backyard Bums

Eleanor & Oscar made a Banana Boat swing!
Classic Eleanor with her hand on her hip and cautioning her little brother & his hoodlum neighborhood buddies to watch out for cars. They were running wild with light sabers!

Mother's Day

We went to mass at the lovely Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the Catholic University of America campus in DC.

The Creation Story

Flowers for Mothers following mass.

We had a wonderful weekend with Sally & Charlie, in town for Gavin's swearing in with the State Department. After mass he and fiance Ulrika prepared a delicious brunch for us. It was a very relaxing and memorable day.

Azaleas

Eleanor showing off her new smile.

The azaleas are in full bloom in our backyard and so beautiful!