Taft HS 20 Year Reunion Slideshow

Little Miss Snow White

Little Miss Snow White snuggled right up next to her Daddy while he slept. Guess she hasn't read the fairy tales yet. Then again she's still only one.

The TP Tradition

It all started with the oldest: And the tradition continues with the youngest (except she's a lot more crafty than the boys were and put it all right into the toilet. Fortunately, no one flushed.

Missing Mimi

Over the past four years there have been times where I think back on the wonderful life I had with my Mom, and miss her. Then there are times when my heart aches that she's gone. I feel like I had so much more to share with her, and that she was gone from our lives much too soon.

But honestly, I think she's keeping tabs on us. I know that when the boys do something adventurous or silly or wild, that she's smiling. And when Lucy, whom she never had the chance to meet, does something daring, or independent, or silly, that she's cheering her on. And when I do something bold, make a tough choice, or try something new, she is there supporting me every step of the way.

You see, my Mom left my life too soon, but she instilled in me a sense of stillness and a purpose in my being, and I carry that with me every day. I know that the choices that I make, the decisions that I come to, and the steps that I take in life are all influenced by her. She helped me discover who I am and has guided me throughout my life in various ways.

So, while it's been four years now since she passed away, I am grateful to have had her around for the preceding 33.

Shrek and Baby, Baby and Shrek

In the midst of the chaos of our house, Shrek and Baby have formed a friendship. Odd, but true. Shrek has Baby's back - keeps her out of harms way. Baby, on the other hand, is a total flop.

This I love to see

Lucy and Max

When I Grow Up I wanna Be just Like Colt McCoy

Love Texas (Hook 'Em!) and LOVE Colt McCoy!

Colt McCoy's Wedding Song, Featuring Tim Tebow @ Yahoo! Video

Star Wars Love and Worlds Colliding

First a little Star Wars love:

But after looking deeper into his stuff, my worlds collided:

All I can say is GO General Lee!

End of School

The startling thing about the end of school is that he walls go from being filled with pictures, art, writings, even photographs,

to being completely bare. It's the same every year - they clear everything off of the walls that have been added over the course of the year, and we are left the last week or so with a stark image of the school:

It is startling to see the walls go blank, but comforting to know that they will be filled right up again next year as the kids go back to school. Not sure if it's this year, Max's final leap from one grade to the next at Bailey's, but for some reason this really struck me.

Lucy's 2nd Birthday Party

It was a hot one, but the kids had a blast playing in the pools and the sprinkler in our back yard:

Happy Birthday Lady!

What a one year old takes pictures of

Ever wonder what a one year old would take pictures of if she/he were given a camera? Well, here's your answer:

Daddy

Mom's Rear end at the grocery store

Her own toes

And the obligatory random shot of her hands covering the lens

Question answered.

World Cup - Bailey's Style

On this final day of the World Cup, two teams will met on the field and play until there's one champion. But back in Virginia, the World Cup gave me another reason to love our elementary school:

During the first few days of the World Cup, and as school was coming to a close, one of the counselors put up the games after school so that the kids who wanted to hang around and watch them could. For our school, the World Cup is a unifying event, even though we have kids from over 40 countries, each cheering for their own team. From the kindergarteners to the fifth graders, every kid who walked through the door of the cafeteria was a soccer fan (even if they really weren't). This is just another reason that I love our school.

Yard Sale anyone?

Ian keeps asking to have a yard sale. Not sure what the motivation is (I think he wants money) but I keep reminding him that he has to sell stuff at a yard sake to make it a successful venture. And while we have lots of STUFF, none of it is for sale. So, he goes away and asks me again a few weeks later and we start the whole conversation again. Weird.

Happy Birthday Little One!

Miss Lucy turns TWO today!

May your third year be as bright and shining as the first two (and we can see already that you are enjoying that pony)!

Our return to an old favorite

Recently we went back to one of our favorite places in DC - Wolf Traps' Theater in the Woods. The weather was perfect, the fields were green and lush (and the kids did run around after the shows) and the shows were fantastic. You can read my review over here: Suzie Reviews, but definitely, if you get the chance, go catch a show there!

Rugby!

I'll admit it - before last week I knew nothing about Rugby. But now, I know all about the Try, the Scrum, and the Scrum Half. I know how to score in Rugby, and how the game is played. And let me say that Rugby is a cool, cool game. All three boys are playing rugby now, and all three are really enjoying it. They are playing with a team from school, against other U-9 and U-11 kids (all three are playing up) and it is two-handed touch instead of full tackle (although that comes along later). It is a cool game, and I'm looking forward to a great season of rugby!

Max Game (we're in orange and Max has the ball)

Ian and Sam's Scrum

Ian and Sam's Game

GO PAC TIGERS!!!

Wifflefest 2010

Further proof that our neighborhood is cool:

What's better on a Saturday afternoon than wiffleball, beer, food, a bounce house, basketball, and good company? Not much!

Last Day of School - June 24, 2010

Ian and Sam - 1st Grade

Srta. Zuniga - Spanish (math and science)

Ms. Golleher - English (reading, social studies, history, etc.)

Ms. McClain - English (Social Studies for Ian)

Max - 4th Grade

Ms. Hoffman -English (reading, social studies, history, etc.)

Sra. Tincoff - Spanish (math and science)

Due to a total fluke (or a brilliant scheduler -thanks!) Ian and Sam had the same two teachers this year but were in opposite classes. Made our lives very easy having 5 teachers this year instead of 7. All three boys are in Spanish Immersion, so they spend half the day with the English speaking teacher and half with their Spanish speaking teacher. Due to a weird scheduling thing, Ian had a third teacher this year for a little each day, and they did social studies. Ms. McClain also was Max's first grade teacher a few years back, so Ian settled right in. All three boys had a great year, and all were promoted to the next grade! (YEA!) Congrats guys and welcome to 5th and 2nd grades!