Cherry Blossoms - It was complicated

A still Sunday morning in Washington we set out to see the Cherry Blossoms.

Not a parking space for man or beast anywhere!! So we reworked our plan....

...and went to see Roosevelt - it was COLD!!!! He was TALL!

Later that week we tried again...

Success! A picnic among the blossoms -

- With a guest -

That someone chased away

What we did on spring break

There is no doubt that the highlight of spring break was aunty heidi's visit. We did the Air & Space kite festival, we went to a home and garden show (see above, painted faces courtesy of a house painting company), and we hit the zoo.

After aunty heidi left, we did clemyjontri, the baltimore children's museum, swimming at cub run, and a good friday service.

Maybe staying home for spring break wasn't so bad after all.

Channeling Ellsworth Kelly

Evie created this complex sculpture all by herself. She shows promise of a major outdoor garden installation some day, don't you think? Especially if the platform mirrors represent water....

Happy Easter Everyone!!

A Modern Day Miracle

There are no photo enhancements.

These are our children.

Smiling.

Within the 20-meter restraining order they have against the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus.

And this was at THEIR REQUEST!

You gave me a gift

Evie, beyond having the only washboard abdomen in this family, loves fashion.

She is very particular about the clothes she wears and how her hair is arranged. It has nothing to do with matching or neatness or trends, she just has definite ideas about how she wants to look.

One of her most favorite looks is her polka dotted headband on her forehead a la Olivia Newton John in that workout movie. The polka dotted headband has been missing for awhile and I found it this morning and gave it to Evie after there had been many complaints about the top knot she was currently sporting.

"Oh! Thank you momma!!!!" Big hug & squeeze upon the presentation.

A few minutes later she wandered into my bedroom and stated

"When you found my polkadotted hairband, you gave me a gift!"

Happy Leap Day!

Today, to celebrate leap year, we are having all of the girls from Juliette's class over after dinner for a p.j. party.

No. They are not spending the night.

That many five year olds away from home and their momma for an entire night, do you think I'm crazy?

Just pjs, popcorn, my mom's best company cake recipe and toenail polish.

Expect a full report tomorrow.

He's Baaack!

Ryan B.

He has returned to Mexico and is continuing in his devotion to Juliette.

As you may or may not remember, after the holiday break he came back from school saying he wanted to play with boys during recess.

Juliette was absolutely devastated. In our culture where every media story is incomplete without the word "devastated" I was hesitant to use it fearing a reader might blow past it.

Make no mistake, this isn't casual devastation. She burst into tears during school, was inconsolable. Finally calmed down during the day. Cried on the way home with me. Cried later with her father. Asked us both repeatedly "Why doesn't he WANT to play with ME?????"

Devastated.

Since then, he has seen the error in his ways.

Juliette doesn't head butt. Juliette likes to play tag, hide and go seek, and cerebral games too. She also knows all of the words to take me out to the ballgame and hail to the redskins (as does Evie). So, while she isn't good for a slug in the gut or wear a different football jersey to school every day, she can run competitively during a sprint and keep up with him intellectually.

He's coming over Monday for a play date.

Juliette says she wants to play doctor.

I asked her to describe what she meant.

"Why, operate on the animals, of course!"

OT-Current Addictions and What They Mean...

Currently, I'm addicted to two things that didn't exist ten years ago.

Netflix and XM Radio.

You are probably saying in your head - what took you so long????

Actually, in my defense, I subscribed to Netflix before we got Juliette and found their selection of foreign films limiting. That was actually when I saw movies in the theater (last one in the theater was 27 Dresses - how pathetic for a woman who has actually seen all ten episodes of the very fine Decalogue). Anyway, since every art house theater in DC is gone - goodbye Biograph, Dupont 5, Dupont North - and a lot of times the art house theater in Fairfax has odd times, so I end up seeing more mainstream stuff - so now Netflix is a Tahitian orchid of culture compared to the old days when opera was more than an advertisement for the Met at the movies shown during "coming attractions".

We've seen and loved - Rescue Dawn, Maxed Out, No End in Sight. I liked Across the Universe and 3:10 to Yuma. What is also cool is that a bunch of friends just joined Netflix too so we are also exchanging lists and recommendations (hence 3:10 to Yuma).

Another digression- been watching the Jane Austen chick-fest on Masterpiece Theater the past month or so. This Sunday was the first half of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth. (Which I first saw at Dupont North!) And it has me pondering - why do I love Jane Austen? Because just two days ago I hated the Sabrina remake with Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond (yet I love the original w/Humphrey Bogart & Audrey Hepburn). How unrealistic that Linus would fall in love with Sabrina after two days? How even more unrealistic that Sabrina would return the affection - hello???? Mr. Darcy going for Elizabeth Bennet?????? Come on? Is it because I have to work harder intellectually - decipher dialogue and clever reparte - that I love one and disdain the other? Good old Jane Austen, great dialogue aside she is the emotional equivalent of a 1986 John Hughes movie and we love her anyway.

Anyway - XM Radio - loving to be able to choose radio that has no commercials and can suit any mood - folk, 80's, 90's, 50's, Soul, Classical, Alternative, 200 channels of choice. Love it. But I'm depressed by my choices - I know who Amy Winehouse is, but I can't say I've bought a CD by a current artist in more than four (?) years. I trend toward my demographic 80's when the choice is completely mine. Which also makes me wonder if I'll be asking for "I'm Your Man" again when the young people from the Scout Troop come to visit and do a few numbers for us in the nursing home.

What does it all mean? I guess I'm getting old and typical and I'm willing to shell out $22 a month to like what I see and listen to.

How sad.

Well, enough pondering. I'm hearing Juliette ask Evie not to pull on her underwear while she is brushing her teeth. I'm thinking an intervention is in order.

Is that Juliette eating ice cream?

Then, there must have been another photo adventure!

Check it out at http://juliettegoesclick.blogspot.com/

Hi Gramma!

I LOVE my new p.j.s!!!

happy birthday Uncle Howard!!

We Love you!!!

Betrayal

Betrayal comes in many forms as a parent. Many many forms.

Some examples - 1. sitting with another mom at a class party.
2. blanket statements "I only love Daddy" or "I love Daddy more" or "I don't love you."
3. immediately going to another authority source when the answer received is not satisfactory.

All of these can be tolerated, excused, and indeed called other things. But there are a few forms of betrayal that cut very deep, and we are going to talk about one of the worst today.

The bitterest form of betrayal is when you, the parent perceive yourself as sacrificial and tolerant and that behavior is not mirrored.

Let's talk for a moment about The Sound of Music. Faithful readers know the girls saw it last year on stage and it has been a constant lovefest of all things Maria and Lisle ever since. I didn't grow up with TSOM. Never even saw it until a few years ago. Sure, I had friends (Christine, Brian, and Mark) who would endlessly sing the lyrics into their twenties and could probably do so today if you called them up and did a request. Not only did I not participate, I just didn't get it. Now, having sat through the movie a few times I can say I understand a certain appeal but I don't quite get it and I definitely don't get both girls' obsession with it.

We sing all the time in our family. Way more than average I think, although I have no scientific basis for that claim.

Evie learned all of the words to Doe a Deer in November. Since then she has sung the song a minimum of three times a day (no exaggeration) and in fact some times it is as much as a dozen times a day (again, no exaggeration.) Three months later, if I never hear Doe a Deer again, I'd be a happy well adjusted person (the only way it will ever happen, I know.) Nonetheless, every day I applaud the song when it is sung and even participate when invited.

Here comes the betrayal part.

I LOVE Cole Porter and Gershwin etc. Before TSOM, we would listen and sing both regularly. Since Maria and that dratted Captain Von Trapp came along both have fallen completely from favor.

Sensing an opportunity in song round last week on the way to school I slipped in the ever clever, ever a crowd pleaser "Be A Clown" during my turn and had the girls join in.

Two days later, I tried it again and then the betrayal....

"Momma, I'm TIRED of THAT song!!!"

An Open Letter to Jose Mugrabi

Dear Mr. Mugrabi,

I recently read an article in the Wall Street Journal about your unparalleled collection of 800 works by Andy Warhol. First, I commend you for your insight into collecting and the shrewd manner in which you control the market value of Andy's work. It is a brilliant strategy and demonstrates not only exceptional business acumen, but great market finesse and exceptional taste as well.

This message is really about my daughter Juliette.

Living in DC, Juliette and Genevieve have had substantial exposure to fine art, with a strong emphasis on contemporary and past century giants. Evie enjoys Edward Hopper, having visited the recent National Gallery exhibit twice, she can quickly spot his minimalistic brilliance. Both girls also really enjoyed the Jasper Johns show early in 2007 as well. Juliette enjoys almost any art period, but there is really only one artist that she LOVES, and that is Andy Warhol. I wish I could take credit for this as I love Warhol too, but it has more to do with her amazing uncles, especially her artist uncle Jerry who taught her to spot Warhol's work last summer when she was four and she has been hooked ever since. Today when we were talking about fun things to do in DC, she brought up going to see Andy Warhol at the Portrait Gallery and said it simply had to be on the list.

You may or may not know she turned five last week. Like her sister, Genevieve, Juliette is an adored little girl - doted on by friends and family. Her grandparents, aunt & uncle and parents all chipped in to get her a new bicycle. There were lots of other presents too, so we held the bike in the other room until last. Before we brought it out, after all of the other presents were opened, we asked her if she was disappointed she didn't receive any specific gifts (many hints had been dropped about the bike and she had been without one for a few months.) She thought about it for a moment, said she loved ALL of her presents, but had really been hoping for something by Andy Warhol. We think she meant stationary, but with the timing of the Journal article...

This is where you come in Mr. Mugrabi. You no doubt have something Warhol has done that Juliette would love - she is particularly fond of the shoe series he did early on (she has the calendar), the cats, and most of all the Marilyns. I expect your stockpile of Marilyn's is too valuable to part with, but do check with your assistant about some of the lesser known, less valuable pieces that come to mind when you think of Juliette. We would consider a trade of Juliette's art, and if you are willing to stockpile yet another artist this would be another chance to get in early as you did with Warhol.

It would make her fifth birthday even better, and would definitely help when it comes time to put her (and Evie) through college.

With respect and admiration,

Juliette's mom

Birthday girl on her bike-

Happy Birthday, Juliette!

We love you!!

The things we do for love

If only it were walking in the rain and the snow when there is no place to go and your feeling like a part of you is dying....

Miss Sugar retired, so we needed to find a new place for ballet.

So the things we do for love is really, more about getting up at 5:30 am to drive in your car and get a number (22 by the way) that will in turn allow you to register your child for ballet.

After I picked up said number, I went to Starbucks, natch, and went home to grab a shower.

Then I got the girls up, got them breakfast and took them to Sara's house (her mom owed me a favor) while I went back to line.

This isn't what I was supposed to do, I found out later. I was supposed to sit unshowered, uncaffienated, and wait my turn like everyone else.

I'm chalking it up to newcomer learning curve, but the other mothers aren't buying it.

Being # 22, I want you to know I got the last spot in Evie's ballet class, and although Juliette's friends made it in, Evie's didn't. These are people we go to school with and regularly see on the playground.

Now I am the mom who skipped the sitting in line for caffeine and a shower and their little lovies got bumped from their ballet class while they sat there and waited in line - unshowered, uncaffeinated.

These are definitely the things we do for love. However crazy and absolutely foolish they are.

They are also the types of things we hold over our children's heads at 12 and 13 to guilt them into going on family outings or taking out the trash.

Yep, I know what I'm doing.

What about the camels?

So, for better or worse, we've played down Santa around here. Juliette was/is petrified of the man in the red suit and Evie has followed her sister's cue (maybe out of collegiality or maybe from genuine fear, we are not sure.)

Here is a typical Santa discussion - scene: approaching the mall from the parking garage.

Juliette, hand tightening around mine in a death grip. "Will Santa be here????"

Me trying to seize a teachable moment, "No, he is only there at Christmas time, and what do we know about St. Nicholas?"

Juliette, bored from repetition but still not feeling safe "He is not real and the real St. Nicholas was someone who gave away everything and helped many children a long time ago..."

Me continuing, trying to stave off phone calls from angry parents "But we don't talk about Santa outside of our family because some children still believe in him, right?"

You get the picture.

A recent parenting lesson showed me that such knowledge does not transfer.

The tooth fairy is real - when I dared suggest otherwise I got an incredulous ???WHAT????

I learned that lesson.

That is why, today, there are shoes in the hallway and both girls are blissfully asleep at 2:30 in the afternoon. They are waiting for their gifts from the wise men. They know the wise men can't come until they are both asleep.

In my defense, it was entirely their teacher's doing. Epiphany is a big thing at their preschool. Everyone in king hats and going on pilgrimages... Juliette had to leave early, so her teacher slipped me a gift to sneak into a shoe.

Now Evie's shoe is full as is Juliette's. I haven't thought of anything for me or Bruce yet. An apple? A stick of cheese?

Juliette wanted to know what the camels would do while the wise men visited. I told her the wise men would have to use our hose and they could eat the grass, because the camels weren't allowed to come in the house.

Please don't judge me, but can the wise men plan to make regular visits? I'm willing to negotiate hay and carrots for the camels.

In Out List of 2008

Out - Junie B.

In - Little House on the Prairie
---

Out - Ryan B.

In - Ryan F.
---

Out - Riding bikes

In - Jumping in the Jumpolene
---
Out - Club Soda Lemonade

In - Mango Lassi
---
Out - Dora the Explorer

In - Berenstain Bears
---
Out -- Two Ponytails

In - Topknots & Headbands
--
Out - Cinderella

In - Maria Von Trapp
--
Out - Taking naps

In - Going to Bed Early
--
Out - Swings

In - Ice Skating

Three Best

Since much of my days is spent with two cyclones, I don't get out much. Here are my top three lists.

Movies--
1. La Vie En Rose
2. Juno
3 tie. Into the Wild
3 tie. Ratatouille

DVDs--
1. Lives of Others
2. Infamous
3. Children of Men

Books --
1. Harry Potter - Finale
2. Eat Pray Love
3. Thousand Splendid Suns

Books I Wish I Finished--
1. River of Doubt
2. Michaelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
3. Magellan and the Circumnavigation of the World

Television
1. Damages - The most steady date with the TV in a LONG time - got other people to watch, then called them to discuss in detail the nuances of the previous episode.
2. End of the Sopranos - so glad it has limped out of it's misery
3. Project Runway Season III- Laura Bennett gave season 3 viewers a whole new type of heroine on PR

Three things I regret-
1. Not getting out Christmas cards.
2. Not having a better understanding of HTML so I can own my destiny on my website.
3. Not billing more hours in 2007 - The difference between a consultant and an employee. An employee will never go to their grave saying "I wish I'd worked more" a consultant might....


Sad that there are only these categories - did make it to the ballet once and opera once too - but one experience does not a ranking make. A guilty pleasure in 2008 may be watching Met performances at the theater...stay tuned and happy new year.

The Current Earworm

This is a big file, it may take a minute or two to download.

Thanks to Ellie for adding sound.

Let's start taking down those decorations!!

Merry Christmas

From our house, via the White House, to your house!!

Charlie Wilson's War Part II

Sure, I could be blogging on topic about how Ryan "Mr. Wants to Exchange Phone Numbers" has dumped my daughter to play with boys now, but I'd rather talk about Charlie Wilson's War.

Even movie critics such as Steven Hunter get what a miscasting job this is --

This movie probably gets the Washington process better than any since Otto Preminger's underrated "Advise & Consent" in 1962. It's not about men of virtue doing the impossible, but men of flaws doing the doable, but just barely. You don't want to look too carefully at the process, which is haphazard, greased by alcohol and a barter system of favors and flattery, big moneybags in the home state, and a lot of gumption and git-r-done ingenuity.

Charlie, a multi-term Democrat from rural Texas who was a low-ranking grad of the Naval Academy, is played by Tom Hanks, at his unchallenged but affable best. This may be a first: I would gauge Hanks as actually much less attractive than Wilson, a notorious rougue and ladies' man. That leaves the viewer with the occasional curiosity as to why she -- this could be any of several shes -- seems so attracted to Forrest Gump.

Now validated, I can move on. See the movie, better yet, read the book and give the part to Clive Owen as I instructed when I heard about this terrible casting atrocity!

Must sign off, I have promised a clue game with a certain soon to be five girl who has a playdate with the boy who's dumped her later today.

A New Photo Adventure

Juliette and I were at the Cathedral this morning taking pictures.

You can see the whole set at http://juliettegoesclick.blogspot.com.

SNOW!!!!

You can sit on it, and...

It is whats for dinner.

Memorandum: Hello Teen Years

To: Blog Readers

From: Jennifer

Re: Juliette and Boys

Today I went to get Juliette and because of a variety of circumstances, was actually there early.

Mrs. R. offered Juliette the opportunity to leave early, and she begrudgingly came to the door. Meanwhile, Mrs. R. needed me to watch the class for 30 seconds while she ran down the hall to check something.

Juliette told me she wasn't ready to go. "Ok," I replied.

Then she asked for a pen. I told her I didn't have one handy.

Five minutes later, kids start filing out. No Juliette.

Her teacher told me she was busy.

Exchanging.

Phone.

Numbers.

With.

A.

Boy!!!!!!!!!!!

Evie in ballet

Hopping is very important. Don't ask me why, but Evie was born with springs so it comes naturally to her.

Ballet and Leaves

Strike a pose!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Any good blogger will tell you that it is important to blog regularly or you will lose your audience. Knowing it has been awhile since I've posted, I apologize and offer the following post as an excuse.

Unsure of what to get that special someone this holiday season? Want a gift with real staying power??? Streptococcus pyogenes is the way to go. Here is our story, told backward for those of you who enjoyed Memento.

Last night, both girls receive their first dose of penicillin.

Yesterday 4 pm, both girls get tested for strep.

Yesterday noon, I get my first dose of penicillin.

Yesterday morning, I test positive for strep, the Dr. instructs the rest of the family be tested.

Monday. Killer sore throat.

Friday. Juliette throws up in the car halfway home from NH.

Thursday midnight. Evie is in the emergency room with hives as big as an egg covering her abdomen, she is given a clean bill of health. (No strep test administered, although the nurse on the phone sent us to the ER to rule out strep.)

Thursday afternoon, Thanksgiving dinner without the girls, who are both taking naps. (I prepare it, watch out gramma, grampa, auntie Heidi, & uncle Howard!)

Wednesday, high fever for Evie, hives for Juliette

Tuesday, high fever for Juliette, minimal hives for Evie.

Monday, high fever for Evie.

Sunday, hives for Evie.

Saturday, high fever for Juliette. A sore throat starts for me.

Friday - unknown exposure - was it a water fountain? A faucet? A doorknob???

Thursday - Life as we know it has not yet changed.

New Terms for Your Consideration

I just returned from my first work travel in two years and offer up the following terms that evolved as a result.

Grandparent hangover -- whenever grandma and grandpa go back home (or any very special spoiling friend) behavior and attitudes take a violent slide toward the dark side. This is something all parents of small children are aware of but until now, this phenomenon lacked the appropriate title.

Grandchild hangover -- this happens between the time you board the plane and before you can get to the chiropracter to to get your back and shoulders back in working order.

Safe place -- this isn't actually the room without windows in your house, it is the airplane after the door has shut and the plane is taxiing down the runway. THE KIDS CAN'T GET TO YOU HERE!!! AMAZING!!!!! This only happens when the proper caregiver is in place so you aren't feeling sad about leaving the babies behind.

Techslam -- Occurs at a conference or during a webex or conference call when participants use electronic methods to slam the speaker during the presentation itself. After the glaze of boredom sets in, laptops are opened and Blackberrys are wildly thumbed. Smirks quietly exchanged. To the speaker, it can look like the audience 1.) is conscienciously taking notes -or 2.) has an immediate issue that must be resolved but it is really everyone typing as fast as their fingers will let them mock the speaker's 1.) self-aggrandizing behavior, 2.) cluelessness, or 3.) lack of audience awareness.

Today's world is a tough place to be for a conference speaker, but sometimes an airplane is a great place to be!

Happy Halloween

From the monkey and the fairy!

Gold

Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.

Here is my golden friend, Kristin, with her daughter, Elisabeth, Juliette's golden friend.

Bowling Alone

Actually, a more appropriate title is "Eating Alone".

Today marked a rite of passage - Evie had her first extended day session. For the first time in my life, I had to prepare two boxed lunches and had lunch completely devoid of companionship on a regular school day since Evie became part of our family.

As I ate these questions occured to me.

Who will I blame for spots on my clothes from here forward?

Will I still have as many spots on my clothes?

Do I still need to exclusively shop at Target?

Why don't I get more accomplished, even when I don't read the paper?

Evie was having a blast - making a monkey mask and listening to stories. Juliette was listening to show and tell presentations and trying to finish her carrots before lunch time ran out, knowing there would be no treat in tomorrow's lunch if today's carrots weren't finished.

At home, things were eerily quiet.

5 things to love about Genevieve

1. Her sociability - she walks down the corridor of school greeting the moms of the children in hers and other classes.
2. Her love of marbles - she can contentedly play for hours with marbles, polished rocks or acorns.
3. Her ability to climb like a monkey in pursuit of anything her mother has put out of reach (she piles furniture together - think the mousetrap game.)
4. Her love of clothing, thereby confirming her as a female human rather than a simian.
5. Her happy chirpy demeanor! Evie is a joy to be around!!

5 things to love about Juliette

1. Her application of knowledge - mommy, give me carrots one day, red peppers the next carrots the next, because we are studying patterns.
2. Her smokin' bob.
3. Her helpful hands (like when I shut my skirt in the locked front door this morning and dropped the 27 posters I was holding, along with the notebook and purse and she helped me clean up.)
4. Her sense of justice - she will be a formidable force for fairness in the world.
5. Her love of all things musical, especially musicals "Doe, ,a deer, a female deer..."

Why I may not seem like I'm paying attention

Note: up front, I must credit Brian Shaw with a similar post regarding my children and interruption last month, however the following is a completely accurate depiction of the goings on at my house this morning, without embellishment.

So every other Tuesday morning, I have a standing three-hour conference call with the biggest client I consult with. It is rare that I have to interact on the call, so most of the time I'm listening to the conversation with the mute button on.

This is never an ideal situation with two little ones at home, but it is even tougher with just one. Evie no longer has her sister to distract her for three hours, so she looks to her alpha female to entertain her, regardless of the dazed expression I have and the phone somewhere in range either next to my ear or on speaker.

This is what it was like this morning during the legislative update--

We are working on reauthorization... "Mommy! I'm hungry"

...working with key Senators ..."Mommy! I want peanut butter and jelly!!"

...educating their staffers as the turnover is so great since the last reauthorization "Peanut butter!! AND jelly!!"

is there a chance of a Presidential veto?? "Peanut butter! Cut in triangles!!!"

does anyone have any questions?? "Mommy! I have to go potty"

what is the reaction from the Department of..."Mommy, come wipe my bum!"

The Troubadour and the Jumpy Pirate

This is what Juliette brought for show and tell today. Unfortunately, you can't see the pants, thereby loosing the asthetic punch my theatre-performer to be launched with this outfit. See below for a glimpse, also note Evie's reaction--

Even when it looks like Evie is standing still, she is not!

For those of you who think "I wish I could be the stay at home parent..."

I offer you an anecdote from this morning that will forever change your mind.

Five minutes before we are to leave for school, Juliette informs me she needs to go to the potty.

A few minutes pass. I call "time to leave" and am greeted with silence. Ominous silence.

Another minute passes. "Mommy! Something's wrong."

Indeed there was, keeping my beloved daughter's excrement company in the toilet bowl was their toothpaste cap.

Bless Juliette for recognizing flushing was not the thing to do in this instance. Nonetheless, there was the reality, cozied up to one another like two lonely forty-somethings a half hour before last call on Friday night.

Never forget this story when you are sorrowfully considering the greener grass of the stay at home parent.

After a delicious lunch of noodles

It is off for another day of work at Home Depot.

Yesterday

Two years ago yesterday, that delightful little package of energy known as Genevieve Elizabeth Manise was placed into her mother's arms.

She screamed.

I handed her to her father.

Juliette howled.

Evie howled.

Juliette howled louder.

This momentous occasion was a lesson in the value of earplugs, and was chronicled in dueling banjos a few days later.

What would our world be like without Evie? We cannot imagine. She is as amazing and chirpy as ever. A complete and total blessing - for which we are eternally grateful.

One Down, Thirty-four to Go...

So, the first week of school is over. The girls love their new classrooms, teachers, classmates, lunchbags, and backpacks.

I let them wear dresses every day to school and felt like a homeschool mom when I'd take them to the park in dresses. Since my hair is long right now and I've never been one for much makeup, I felt like declaring my reliance on The Wall Street Journal, '80's pop music, and art-house movies to the casual observers at the park. I immediately went home and did my toes, but regretfully forgot my eyebrows.

Pop quiz--

1. The girls picked their lunchboxes based on which of the following features:

A. Character depiction
B. Color
C. Thermal retention/ cold retention
D. Bonus Features
E. A & B
F. A& C
G. A & D
H. They never saw their lunchboxes before the first day of school.

2. How many calls regarding food allergies in Evie's class did Jennifer field in relation to Evie's school b/d celebration?
A. none
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
E. Four or more

3. How many days has Juliette been the last one to be picked up by her mother since the first day of school?
A. none
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
E. Four or more

4. How many billable hours has Jennifer completed during school time since the first day of school?
A. none
B. Less than One
C. One to Two
D. Three to Four
E. Five or more ( HA HA HA - can't even type that one with a straight face!)

5. On a scale of minus ten to ten, how clean is the house compared to the day before school started?
Minus ten - exceptionally dirty - the roaches moved out.
Minus five - is that a dead mouse I smell?
Zero - laundry piled high on Daddy's dresser, just like always.
Plus five - one could eat off the floor in the kitchen
Plus ten - the windows are done! Someone call the newspaper!!


So dear reader, how well do you know us?

I'm Three

Evie is, not Gracie (the giraffe on her head!)

Happy Birthday, Big Girl!!!!

Happy First Day of School!!!

After a brief show tune we headed off for our first day. Watch out teachers, here we come!!

Hello Open House Farewell Summer

Today was open house at the girls' school. I offer the following highlights.

Juliette's teacher, Mrs. R, is the iconic figure that heads a cult of preschool parents. Every parent that has ever had Mrs. R speaks of her in hushed tones as if in reverent awe.

Juliette made a leaf with her name on it for the door. She is very excited that she has show and tell every week. Panda will be the first object. Juliette also found the classroom computer (heavens knows what that will bring in way of requests at home.), checked out the loft, and settled in with a gaggle of girls to do playdough with letter stamps.

Evie was playing with trucks when I went back to check on her. She had informed her teacher, Mrs. P, that she would prefer to be called "Princess Genevieve" over Evie or just plain Genevieve. She had scoped out the dress up clothes and has learned how to sign herself in to class.

After open house, we went ice skating. Then they both came home and took naps.

As we say goodbye to summer, I offer the following farewells.

Farewell to the kiddie pool. Hello dive team.

Farewell zuchinnis (bikinis). Hello speedo.

Farewell sleeping until 8 am. Hello rush to get breakfast, dressed, and on 66 while HOV is still in effect.

Farewell naps. Hello going to bed at 7:30.

Farewell "what are we going to do today Momma?", Hello "Nothing!" in response to my inquiry of what happened at school today.

Farewell peanut butter and jelly lunches. Hello hyper observance of nut allergies.

Farewell spur of the moment adventures. Hello cleaner house.

Evie in ballet

Willard

So, I took the girls to see Ratatouille last Friday. Wait, let me start at the beginning.

Friday was, in the Manise house, the day of the year known as Black Friday. It is the last weekday of Bruce's month-long vacation.

We all know I love spending time with Juliette and Evie, but they love structure--which is not something I excel at unless I am being paid to do so.

So, Bruce comes home for a month in the summer and every day is a party. I can run errands, the girls have constant attention and someone who lets them chew gum and watch television when I am not around.

Black Monday, yesterday, is the saddest weekday of the year. The gum-reservoir has dried up and there will be no television until Jennifer has a conference call.

Anyways, so last Friday, realizing it was Bruce's last weekday home, I offered to take the girls to the movies. He does chores around the house during his month off, and it is remarkably easier to do this without "help."

Off to a darkened theater we went. I thought the girls would love the movie -- with the gastronomic themes and intelligent banter. This was no "feel the IQ points falling away" Happy Feet. Both girls love to cook. There were no killer whales - what better fun to have?

EXCEPT Evie is petrified of all things furry in the known world. I figured a cooking rat would be ok, because rats are small.

A fatal mistake.

Yes in real life rats are small. On a big screen in the fifth row, a rat is as tall as a building.

The screaming commenced.

And went on.

And on.

We called her father from the theater. He came and got her.

Juliette and I went back in to watch the rest, then Juliette wanted to know how much longer she had to stay.

So, Bruce ended up having some "help" with his last day of repair projects after all.

This is what mommy looks like before caffeine

Random Thoughts on the Metro

There was consulting work to do, so I took the Metro to work today - first time in a couple of years since I typically drive and singularly support the parks and recreation division of the DC government with my traffic tickets. On this topic it is so easy to digress, back to random thoughts.

Does anyone wearing Brown University t-shirts ever wash their hair? Is it some sort of lower-level Ivy League requirement to not bathe for four years?

Homeless people outside of my train station I miss -- the guy who used to take a cab to his corner and once refused a banana because he didn't have teeth. -- the trumpeter who only knew about five songs and played them every day all day long. The random crazy population in the area is more diverse than ever. Is this a good thing? Are crazies more or less likely to get along with other crazies???

Tourists still stand on the left. What will it take to get these people to stand on the right?

IPods isolate.

Are there more children of commuters on the Metro, or do I just notice them more now that I have children?

Enough random thoughts. We return to cute pictures of girls soon!

Hi Everyone!

We are back from a visit to Grandma's house! Where she gave us these spiffy HK shirts!!

What should we do now?? Let's go find something to ransack, O.K.???

Quiet, I'm still posing.

Don't Cry for Me, Argentina

While Momma and Juliette were driving all over the place this morning taking pictures of fountains, I got to go to the park, go out for breakfast, and play soccer with daddy.

Don't worry about me, I had a blast!

You can see more about Momma and Juliette's latest photo adventure at:

http://juliettegoesclick.blogspot.com

I'll ask for a camera when I turn four too, but for now, I'd rather have pancakes with Daddy anyway.

Peace out.

Edward Tulane

I've really done it this time. Bitten off more than I can chew, I mean.

At a recent visit to the library, we picked up The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. It is a story about a rabbit (a "China" rabbit, Juliette would be quick to correct) who learns to love.

I did no advance research. We are 6 chapters in. Edward just spent 297 days AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN. No good for a little girl who is desperately trying to learn to swim.

It is such a good story, I found myself cheating on Juliette and reading the Amazon review to find out what happens.

NOT GOOD.

Edward's four year old owner dies in chapters to come. WHY, OH WHY don't I read Amazon reviews before impulse choosing at the library????

Is it too much to ask for a HAPPY CHILDREN'S story? This novel is almost biblical in it's associations with grief and suffering.

Do I say Edward Tulane needs to go back to the library and switch it out for that misbehaving misanthrope Junie B. Jones???? Do we skip the part about the four year old?

They write books on what to do about diaper rash, but there is no book to help with navigating the murkey waters of children's literature.

New Hairbands

Just like our friend, Julia! We love you Julia!! We miss you too!!!!

I can't stand up on a motorcycle

Time: Saturday, 10:05 pm

Place: Dining Room and Evie's room

I'm working on what has to be the boringest part of editing a document, checking references. This particular document has more references than text. This is not an exaggeration.

Evie has recently learned to ride a two-wheeler with training wheels. She is excited and is narrating her progress via shouts from her room. (Imagine about a 30 second pause after every piece of punctuation.)

"Mommy? What are you doing? I ride my bicycle down the hill. I ride through the neighborhood."

"I'm not scared, I want to do it again tomorrow."

We then get off topic.

"Daddy isn't kind, Daddy laughs at me." (????? is she kidding?? she loves making daddy laugh!)

"I can touch my foot."

Then we get to the heart and soul of the matter before we break into our closing song.

"Mommy??? Do you like motorcycles? Can I ride a motorcycle when I get bigger? I can't stand up on the motorcycle, it wouldn't be safe."

Can you imagine why I don't feel like editing when I've got this comedy being broadcasted at me from the closest room?

If Men Ruled Etiquette

One more brief golf post.

As we boarded the bus for the tournament that first morning, I realized quickly we had landed in the world of men. Except for one other lone women, we were the only females on a fully-loaded tour bus.

Excitement was in the air.

The men were dressed to the nines.

Their version.

Khakis.

Golf shirt. From the most prestigious country club or sporting event most recently attended.

Baseball hat. From the second most prestigious country club or sporting event most recently attended. (To be in uniform would be tacky!)

Laniard. From the third most prestigious country club or sporting event most recently attended.

The bus laniards were ditched when we arrived at Congressional and everyone received their inaugural AT&T classic version. (Evie begged for mine throughout the day and on the bus ride home.)

When we got home and Bruce saw them, he immediately found a place of honor to hang it.

Guess what he'll be wearing the next time he goes to a tournament?

Life would be much more comfortable, let alone wedding attire, if men ruled the etiquette world.

Lessons Learned from the 7th Green

We are just back from attending two days of the Congressional AT&T golf classic. For those of you who don't know, my Mom is a huge Tiger Woods fan. Huge.

So, here is what happens when you take two girls under the age of five to a golf tournament in Washington DC in July.

1. Rules are waived - no food no drinks no cell phone no nothing. We got in with food and drinks thanks to the little cuties (what - are we going to find something for them to drink at the Grey Goose Vodka tent? I think not!)

2. The Red Sea parts. We all know Tiger Woods is a big deal, right? You have no idea how big. There is a complete blog posting in my head called "The Tiger Woods Effect on Golf" which I have decided to spare you. Watching Tiger on a course is like watching a major prophet from the Old Testament with healing powers - everyone follows him. The hole is 5-10 people deep around the entire perimeter. We are talking a couple thousand. Just to watch what Tiger would do. Then to cheer or moan.

When you have little girls they get to go to the front of the pack and sit on the edge of the hole. The sound / motion guards don't yell at them to quiet down - instead they goad Evie into roaring by asking her who she is waiting for. She will then let loose with her tiger impression.

3. Going to the port-o-potty becomes a huge game of trying to get Evie to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING inside. Use your imagination.

4. Speaking of the potty. Juliette is just about guaranteed to have to REALLY REALLY GO RIGHT NOW after you have been waiting for Tiger to approach for an hour, he's finally coming, and she hasn't had a drop of liquid in four hours. It happened more than once.

5. Riding the bus to the tournament was the highlight. Standing in line for the bus (300 people deep) was only slightly less exciting because it became a game of bus-spotting.

All in all, there was a great deal of fun had by all!

After thinking about it and recouping after two such wonderful days, we will consider all offers to borrow the girls to attend any male-dominated sporting events if their mother can tag along too!

Happy Independence Day, America!

An open letter from Lucie and Cutie

Dear big people--

We are adjusting to our new bowls here in the dining room and thought it time to send you a short note.

Now that we are past the infatuation stage of our relationship, we have just a couple of requests.

1. Please keep your hands out of our bowls.

2. Likewise, please keep flotsam and jetsam out of our bowls. This includes -- dead insects except mosquitos (flies leave a bitter aftertaste), all princess items (we have no use for disney), and finally leaves and plant debris - please remember we are carnivores.

3. No tapping on the glass - if you want to visit us, please just stick your face near the bowl, we promise to swim over and say hello.

4. Keep the big guy away -- we can sense he is not crazy about animals.

5. We can smell the desire for a cat in Juliette. Continue to say no to this request. Cats are our mortal enemies and we were here first.

Thanks for listening. Remember, our royalty checks are due the fifth of every month - spread the love and keep the money coming - or at least the dried worms.

Sincerely,

Lucie and Cutie

Goggles

Make no mistake I am quick.

Juliette is quicker.

She had her second day of swimming lessons today. Second day ever.

Before going, she was lobbying me to wear goggles. There is the urban myth/national enquirer component of child rearing that influences me. Surely you have heard about the kid who almost died because she/he ate a small amount of hand sanitizer, or the kid who's crocs got stuck in the escalator? One I heard recently was a near drowning because a child had never swum without goggles and wasn't prepared when he/she fell in the pool.

"Learn to swim first" I told her "once you can swim you can have goggles in the pool." This decision was one part reaction to true story/urban myth, one part not wanting to give in just because one of her friends had goggles, and one part laziness because I didn't want to have to find the goggles.

So Evie and I dropped Juliette off at 9 am this morning (my former boss tells me it starts with sane times like 9 am and the next thing I know I'll be sitting at poolside at 5:30 am waiting for diving practice to be over.) Evie isn't one to sit around, so we played ball for about 5 minutes and then went to the other pool to watch dive practice. We came back around 9:07.

Juliette's teacher called to me - "Did you see Juliette swim??"

Right, I think to myself, she's probably blowing bubbles and kicking with her teacher's hand on her waist. "No, I missed it."

The teacher takes Juliette out about 10 feet from the pole and Juliette swims underwater, touches the pole and comes up.

"Now can I have my goggles, Momma???"

Mary Poppins & Sleeping with the Fishes

On Mary Poppins. We watched the first 40 minutes of Mary Poppins tonight. What is great about Mary Poppins is that she isn't your mom. She is some exciting exotic creature who enters on a windy day and upends routines.

What stinks about being a parent is that you can never be Mary Poppins in the eyes of your own children. Sure, you can steal lines "Spit Spot" and sing about a spoonful of sugar etc., but in order to be a Mary a fundamental is that you aren't also their Momma (Winifred).

Our children are fortunate to have many Mary Poppins-like figures in their lives. Essentially, anyone who isn't Momma can potentially play the role of Mary. There is no gender bias on fun.

Consequently, Uncle Gerald and Uncle Shane flew in on a cloud Monday night and our lives have been upended in a positive way ever since.

For example, our family has extended itself since the last post. We have two new members, Lucy and Cutie. They are beta fish. Lucy (blue) is Evie's and is quite aggressive. Cutie (Juliette's) had to be removed from Lucy's bowl and is awaiting her permanent digs.

Juliette wants to sleep with Cutie. Momma fears it is a bad precedent and might not be completely safe for Cutie, so we are keeping both fish in the dining room until all is settled. This is a clear indication of why Momma cannot ever be Mary. Sleeping with a fish is just the sort of thing Mary might think was a good idea.

Alas, we must love the Marys the winds blow us. But sometimes it is no fun to be Winifred.

Chicken Soup A La 2007

Juliette threw up in the car today and I have some sort of nasty head cold or bug.

So, after watching hours of Food Network and the movie A Little Princess, what did we have for dinner tonight?

I know you are thinking pho, which would be the best choice, but would require someone leaving the house who just isn't up to it.

Our first choice back up???

Why an Ess-A-Bagel of course. A plain one toasted with just a hint of cream cheese.

We're going to follow it up with ginger ale and hit the sack early.

Thanks to our homeopathic pharmacist, Ellie, for providing a nutritious, filling, stomach friendly dinner for us sick girls!

Top 5 Ways Evie Will Greet a Stranger

1. Hi! I'm Evie, I'm a boy!!!
(to the new executive director at Jennifer's old company)

2. Hi! I'm Evie, I went poo poo in the potty!!!
(to the Rector at our church)

3. Hi Boys!! I'm Evie, let's play!!!
(to any random group of boys between ages 7 and 15 anywhere)

4. Hi, I'm Evie. Do you play football? I play soccer.
(to a 13 year old boy at a party last Saturday)

5. Hi George, I'm Evie!
(to her Curious George underwear)

Momma Envy

Last week the girls and I went to see Rocknoceros at a park in McLean. It was our first Rockno-fest after a long dry spell and we invited all of Evie's classmates to enjoy the ever-fun party.

The girls were delighted to see Coach, Willie-Bob, and Boogie Bennie (who remembered Evie by NAME!)

Once we were rocking away in the hot sunshine, I spotted one of Evie's classmates and her mom.

It was a 90 degree day, we were out under a humid, blazing sun. Amazingly, this woman looked as cool and crisp as if she were in the no-window section of the West Building enjoying Matisse cut outs in a dim room. Her hair was billowing and she had this wonderful relaxed smile. We'll call her Momma Y for the sake of the conversation below."

Me (all dripping with sweat in t-shirt) "Hi Momma Y! You look great - I didn't think you were going to be able to make it today!"

Momma Y "I wasn't sure either"

Me " You look fabulous, so cool and relaxed."

Momma Y "Oh, we just got back last night from vacation."

Bingo. This is what I need to assume a cool relaxed demeanor!

Me "Where did you go?"

Momma Y "We went to the Bahamas, for the first part of the week we were in a secluded resort and then we switched over to Atlantis. It was a great time."

Me, thinking to how Evie never sleeps at all on the first night in a new place - this is not hyperbole. "How did the girls do on the trip?"

Momma Y "Oh, we left them at home with my parents and the nanny."

Thud. All color drained out of my face excepting the green as absolute envy washed over me.

Now I know what I need to do to look cool and relaxed on a 90 degree day. Who is coming to take care of the girls????

Any volunteers????

Any?????????

kidwell farm

we took a trip out to the farm to visit with the lambs and piglets -- sheep don't seem as scary as they did last spring.

Happy Memorial Day and Random Thoughts

When is the last time you explained the thinking behind Memorial Day to a four year old? Actually, she had the opportunity to hear all about it from Charles Durning and Gary Sinese the other night when we took the girls to see the National Symphony Orchestra dress rehersal of their Memorial Day concert.

Both girls loved it. We made them leave against their will at 8:45. They wanted to stay to the bitter end. Both Charlie and Gary gave graphic depictions of the horror of war that were completely moving, but let's just say Juliette came away with a bunch of questions about death, the military, and war in general.

We've been dealing with the concept of death for a while -- the mommy version, "people either get a special kind of sick, old, or have accidents." Regrettably, I forgot to include man against man in the honed down version of ways to die and Bruce got an earful tonight about war.

I've never been so glad to put Evie to bed!

It is an awfully sobering topic, on a somber day that seldom gets more than a few minutes devoted to the root of the holiday.

We have been reminded by Juliette to be thankful for the sacrifices that were made by those we remember today.

You are NOT my mother.

In a polite, civil, society, certain social norms must be observed. As you have children, some of those perceived polite norms come crashing down (of course we are talking bodily functions, appearance, etc.).

Other norms become code red areas akin to national security levels for an already overly charged mother.

An example of a perceived norm. Dinner on the table Sunday night, the ketchup bottle makes the noise all ketchup bottles do when nearing the end of their rope and your daughter blurts out "the ketchup bottle tooted" and dissolves into laughter. The whole family laughs. Perceived norm crashes to the floor.

An example of code red. Same child is caught climbing up the bookshelves at someone else's home. When the hostess commands your child to return to terra firma, said child replies " I don't have to do what you say. You are not my mother."

Screeeeecccchhhh. Halt. Wait just a moment?

Did I just hear what I think I heard?

At what age is the Fox boot camp show going to show up and take my child away to Idaho?

What happened to please and thank you? Have we just begun the descent into the slippery slope of adolescence?

Or, perhaps it is just because the little cheeky apple doesn't fall far from the proverbial tree.

Happy Mother's Day, Gramma!

To celebrate you, I have asked Baby Panda to perform the most tricky trick ever!

Are you ready, Baby Panda???

Ta Dahhhhh!!!! Happy Mother's Day, Gramma!! We love you!!

Happy Mother's Day, Gramma!

To celebrate your day, I have composed a song--

Happy Mother's Day to you,

Happy Mother's Day to you.

You are the BEST GRAMMA!

Happy Mother's Day to you!!!

I'm going to flip upside down now to celebrate!

They had a state dinner for Queen Elizabeth and Didn't Invite Us?

The invitation must have been lost in the mail. We had been practicing with our tiaras for a whole week prior. White tie!! Maybe it was our lack of sash that made them exclude us from the invitation list.

Clearly we need to check in with Mrs. Bush's social secretary. This cannot happen again.

In the Closet

Quick, someone call our social worker. Juliette is in the closet.

Evie was there Sunday.

Are they being punished?

Is something amiss?

Does anyone recall a closet scene in Mommie Dearest??

It isn't punishment. Rather, it is prime real estate for napping. Sunday, Evie requested to take her nap in Mommy's newly cleaned, vacuumed closet.

I immediately sniffed the whiff of opportunity. "I don't know.... you can't have stories or songs if you nap in the closet, because there isn't room for Momma AND Evie in the closet."

"OK."

(Not having to read stories and sing songs is like a get out of jail free card.) I immediately agreed to the request.

Juliette overheard. "but I wanted to nap in the closet."

Nope, if I would even allow for two people, books and songs would be back on the bargaining table and there would be no win for me.

Juliette, in tears, "I never get to sleep in the closet".

Me-"Evie asked first, you can sleep in the closet another day."

Juliette- "Evie always gets to go first" - a bigger untruth has yet to be spoken in the town that inspired such famous lines as "I did not have sex with that woman" and "I am not a crook".

Me - "you will have to wait your turn, today is Evie's turn because she asked first."

Consequently, two days later, Juliette is in the closet. (Well on her way to being asleep.) There is something about the odor of leather and dry cleaning that puts them out quicker than benadryl. If we could bottle the sleep intoxication of the closet, Bruce and could easily quit our jobs and devote ourselves to the millions paid by parents desperate to have have their little angels drift off to sleep more easily.

Or, maybe, rather than bedrooms, we should give Juliette and Evie and the rest of the cherubs those little pod dorms to sleep in like the Picadilly hotel in London or the Hotel Akasaka in Tokyo. We could have some cubbies at the end for a couple of momma's shoes to simulate the closet environment more completely....

Until the construction begins, during nap the girls will be taking turns sleeping on the floor in my closet.

It is true, I am tying my own shoes.

Career Day

Career day is coming up in Evie's class. I don't have to ask her what she wants to be, because she told me on the way to school today.

Momma, I want to ride a motorcycle inside the circle.

Does anyone know where I can find a crash helmet and motorcycle gear for a two year old in time for career day?

The stock market did WHAT today???

OT - Charlie Rose

Tonight, Charlie Rose is hosting President George Bush.

As you know from previous posts, I really like Charlie Rose's show. It is intelligent, thought-provoking and always an intelligent conversation about interesting topics.

Imagine my curiosity over this evening's program.

Many guests over the past year talk about the complications of the war in Iraq, this administration, and the troubled state of political discourse in the U.S.

What is tonight going to be like? What will Bush say? Will Charlie be nice (he's a Southerner, so yes) but will he hold back on hardball questions? Whatever made Bush decide to do Rose's show? What did Charlie have to agree to? Will it be completely done by script?

Last night they featured a whole hour on the Frost/Nixon play that just opened on Broadway. By the end of the hour, I was trying to figure out what basis I could lay for us to travel to NY and see the production.

Will I feel differently about Bush at the end of tonight's show? Will I see him more sympathetically?

With regard to television programming, I thought I was most looking forward to the return of the Sopranos, but it turns out I was wrong.

What isn't weird

It was a beautiful day in northern VA, temperatures were going to hit 72, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Tulips and Kwanzaan Cherrys are in full bloom - yard sale and garden show signs were posted in anticipation for the weekend. Burl Ives was on the CD player as we ran errands.

Me - "Evie, what music do you want to listen to?"

Evie - "Christmas music."

Me - " Parumpumpum pum?"

Evie - "No. Holly Jolly"

Consequently Burl Ives.

And this isn't weird. Because my children love Christmas music all year long. A complete paradigm shift for seasonality. I'm not sure how it will impact me this holiday season. Will I even notice Christmas music? Unsure.

There are many shifts of thinking that are similar.

Eating at 5:30 isn't weird anymore. In fact, it ensures a pleasant meal from the finest restaurant like Ray's the Steaks (where we ate as a family tonight yum times four!) to Hong Kong Palace where we suck down the fantistic food. The children have a lower level of crazy at 5:30 and they are more likely to focus on food and not be running all over the place.

A temperature of 100 Degrees isn't much to fuss about. (103 is a different story!)

Having large plastic toys isn't that weird. (I can't believe I am even saying that one out loud!!!)

The list goes on.

Central

One of the biggest adjustments for me as a stay at home parent is the lack of fine dining in my life.

Many of you know I love a good meal, more than just a good meal, I especially love food that doesn't cost me a ton of money. I love expensive good food too, but I really love a "find" -- food that is rewarding without exacting usury. When Bruce and I went to Paris, we didn't do Michelen three stars, instead I dragged him to stand in line to go to Joel Robuchon's L'Atelier restaurant that had the atmosphere of a sushi bar (but he is a genius and inspiration to chefs around the world!)

When we went to L.A., it was In-N-Out burger. San Diego, Taco Surf. New York was a series of pizza places and an occasional upscale Italian adventure. NY always included bagels and hot dogs, natch.

While it doesn't happen all of the time in the land of stay at home mom, I am occasionally rewarded with a delicious repast with friends or Bruce worth noting. One of those meals was this evening.

Friends and I went to Michel Richard's new venue, Central. Michel Richard is famous for his restaurants around the world. He was trained as a pastry chef and definitely has a sense of humor. It is loud, my water wasn't refilled without request, and my knife mysteriously disappeared never to be replaced about a third of the way through the meal, but the food was great. It was a pleasure to be eating food so well thought through - onion tart, salad, and yes a hamburger were all way above average. And the dessert, well, it was truly a pleasure.

For those of you who live in D.C., Central is worth a visit. There are other restaurants downtown I frequent more regularly, but Central was truly a treat. Way more classy than Taco Surf, but not beyond an average budget.

Cherry Blossoms

We went to see the Cherry Blossoms Tuesday. Juliette took some pictures.

You can visit them at her blog, http://juliettegoesclick.blogspot.com

To check them out, visit Juliette goes click!

The Easter Hangover

A portrait of post-holiday sugar overload disorder.

Hope you had a Happy Easter!

Life isn't always a beach

We are at the beach in NC. Last night, we had a huge thunder and lightning storm. Crashing claps of thunder with brilliant light display. The cacaphony was really bad between 3 and 4 am. At 4, I gave up trying to sleep and decided to get some work done.

So, I come out of our bedroom only to discover the front door is wide open and it is raining in. Did the wind blow it open?

I immediately check on the girls in the room they are sharing. They are both sleeping on air mattresses on the floor to avoid falling out of the high bed in that room. Juliette is sleeping like an angel.

There is no sign of Evie.

She isn't in her bed.

She isn't on the floor next to her bed.

She isn't in the pile of pillows near her bed.

Panic wells. Where could she be? She wouldn't ever go out in such awful weather - only two houses away from the ocean, would she?

I wondered what I should do first - wake Bruce?

Check again?

She isn't in Juliette's bed with her, but I hear snoring.

I creep into the room and see a fragment of her fuzzy blue blanket.

She crawled under the big bed to escape the thunder and fell asleep.

Sigh.