Run, Clara, Run!

(on our "walk" home from the park today...)

Backyard Fun

While our friends on the east coast are enjoying the snowstorm of the century, we enjoyed a morning goofing off in our backyard.

Photos: Molly; Molly in purple, with purple; Clara; Clara.

molly's lego gingerbread house

I was watching a few online videos with Molly and she saw one where someone made a gingerbread house. She liked it, and I asked her if she wanted to make her own video. Here's the result - for the patient only, it runs a little over 7 minutes. She helped me do some light editing in Windows Movie Maker as well. Enjoy!

Clara's Faces

Clara's into making faces these days. Here's a few of them (there's a new one every day):

Takoma Park 2009 - Mall + Mud + Museum

I'm not sure why this is the first trip that we've made it down to The Mall and the Smithsonian. Maybe because we've found endless other things to do? Or because the last couple visits have either been in really cold weather, or during the mad tourist season. Either way, we went down to the Natural History Museum, which was a hit with Molly. And the mud puddles are always present and always popular - with the kids.

As a geeky landscape architect I'm curious about what they've tried to make that Mall drain. It must be tough: nearly flat surfaces, constant foot traffic, and I'm sure the soil is terrible.

Takoma Park 2009 - Sunday Market

Takoma Park 2009 - Around the House

Takoma Park 2009 - Riding Gallagher

Another highlight of the trip was riding Gallagher. The girls spent nearly an hour and a half taking turns walking around on Rhea's incredibly patient horse. Molly got to trot a bit, Clara wanted to "I-do-it-myself!" Even mama got to ride a little.

Takoma Park 2009 - Autumn Fun

We just don't get this quantity of leaves in Berkeley...

Takoma Park 2009 - Spring Park

We spent some good quality time at the park down the street...

Takoma Park 2009 - with Stacy & Charlie

One of the most amazing parts of this trip was having Stacy and Charlie come visit - all the way from New York!! Wow! It was so nice to see them, and to see how much Charlie has grown (and how funny and sweet he is!). Clara, especially, still talks about visiting with Charlie.

Takoma Park 2009 - Molly's Art/Work

Opa must have intuitively known that Molly would need an "office" while visiting. He set up this sweet space that was just the right size for her (with lots of space to overflow). It got tons of use.

One of her creations was the noses: I forget the whole story, probably it started with us joking about eating Clara & Opa's nose. So Molly offered to make them new noses. She colored and cut out the little noses, but quickly realized that the nose wouldn't stay in place, so fashioned the custom fit nose holders seen here.

Takoma Park 2009 - with Mary P & friends

We had a lovely walk in Rock Creek Park with Mary P and her dogs Henry and Tobey. Molly is still terrified of dogs, but it was nice to spend time with some dogs that are so well behaved that the most out of line thing that happens is Tobey licks, sometimes. And I think it was nice for Molly to see dogs being really gentle, and calm, and the dog's person being gentle and calm, too.

We took the walk after checking on Mary's horse at the barn there. This was the first time that Molly realized that you can have a horse that doesn't live at your house. The next time I tried to use the "we can't have a horse because we don't have any room for one at our house" line, she told me maybe we could find a stall for it at a stable in Berkeley?

Takoma Park 2009 - Thanksgiving Dinner in Lucketts

Thank you Anne for a lovely Thanksgiving feast! As usual, the food and company were amazing (particularly that delicious granddaughter of yours).

Takoma Park 2009 - Dinner at Woomi's

Another lovely dinner at the Korean restaurant. Yum! and Thank you!

Takoma Park 2009 - At Nona's Office

We were lucky enough to be able to go to Nona's office for their special Thanksgiving lunch. We ate yummy foods (and pie). And splashed in the puddles. But it was really nice to see all the lovely folks at her office! Hi everyone!!! The food was great!