The "Better Late than Never" Party

We finally celebrated Callie's 12th Birthday with a backyard Fall Fest. This party was good for my soul. I haven't laughed so much in a long, long time. The girls are at that 'tween' stage where you can never be certain how they will react to an idea. So when I tepidly announced it was time to bob for apples, I was thrilled to hear shouts of excitement and observe some jockeying for position in line. Success!!! Genuine hilarity ensued as the girls wholeheartedly embraced their apple-seeking mission. The night also included mini pumpkin painting, burgers and dogs grilled by Po, trampoline games, and concluded with an extremely popular donut-on-a-string competition. Shout out to Brooke for dominating the donut game! It was a group of lifelong friends coupled with some new faces that Callie has met in the much larger fish pond of middle school. I knew we had a hit when big sister Madden told me that she wanted to have a Winter Fest birthday party, because this was so much fun!

D.C., Day 4

Day 4 brought the Newseum (excellent!), The Lincoln Monument, and the White House.

Bat Mitzvah

As her "other mother," I was so proud to watch Madden's lifetime friend become a Bat Mitzvah yesterday. She is truly a beam of light in the world, and our days with Danielle are always filled with laughter and smiles. Congratulations sweet girl - you did an amazing job!

D.C., Day 3

We spent day 3 at the National Gallery of Art, the Hirshhorn Museum, and the American History Museum. The Hirshhorn hands down held this crowd's attention the best!


Chicken tenders in the Mall.

Metro.



A Lady Writing by Johannes Vermeer
The girls were inspired to locate the painting after reading Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliette.

 

Daniel in the Lion's Den.

 

Me photographing Madden...



who is photographing me.

Nice doggie.

Believe.

Art?

 

Word.

Kermie the Frog.

Harry Potter's robe.

Well deserved ice cream at day's end.

Happy Birthday, Mamacita!

Mom spent her birthday week in Beverly Hills. Here they are with Dad's former roommate. Happy Birthday, Mom!

D.C., Day 2

Tour of the United States Capitol, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Jefferson Memorial.

 

 

Double photo bomb - above and below!