LoCo Rain

I love storms...perhaps it's the photographer in me. I love the big, ominous clouds. I love the sound of the rain. Today was especially magical because you could see (and hear!) the storm coming, but it was still bright and sunny out.

 

The sun was still shining when it started raining.  Oskar made me chuckle when he said, "The plants must be very happy because they're getting everything they need right now - sunshine and water."

I tried to get a picture that would convey that it was actually a pretty heavy rain.

 

Kardynn's umbrella has seen better days.

I spotted lightning so told the kids it was time to come in.  The accompanying thunder made them happy to comply.

Kiersten was away for a play date so I grabbed my camera on our way to pick her up.

Check out the Loudoun County flood waters!

Boys and their Toys

On the way home from Oskar's allergy shots, I was having a conversation with the kids about their strengths and skills.  Oskar piped up from the back, "I'm good at playboy toys."  Me, "WHAT?!"  Oskar, "I'm good at playing with boy toys."  Ohhhhh. 

Metaphors for Life

This past week's Focus52 prompt was nurture. I noticed it earlier this week and had the stereotypical inspiration to get a photo of me snuggling with one of my kids.  I'm rarely in photos so it seemed like a good opportunity to put myself in front of the camera. But I never got around to it. And then something else happened. Yesterday my son walked into the kitchen and said, "Mom, you should come take a picture."







My baby girl learned to ride her bike.  Not only was she riding her bike, she was effortlessly riding her bike. I watched my husband helping her and once again, I marveled at how easily he does this. He knows the right things to say and just how much support he needs to give.  He teaches them how to keep themselves balanced but what to do when they do start to fall. As I sat there watching him work his magic, I realized that *this* is nurture.







I think if we can somehow prepare them for life, as well as he prepared them to ride those bikes, we'll be in good shape.

National Zoo

In my last post, I mentioned that I went to the Zoo last week.  I thought I'd share the obligatory animal photos. :)

I wasn't actually selected as a chaperone, but some friends were planning to drive down and meet up with their kids. It looked like the weather was going to be nice and I knew Kardynn would probably enjoy it so we joined them.  We arrived about an hour before the buses did so we had some time to wander around and see some animals before the kids arrived.

 

Visiting the zoo is always special for me because I get to see the animals of my childhood.  We could see this elephant was visible from the Asia Trail Overlook.

I wish there was some exciting background for a good elephant silhouette, but no such luck.

 

 

I was hoping to see orangutangs on their wire but I guess I'll have to keep going back.

We saw this gorilla pee into it's hand and then drink it. Lovely.

I was glad that we got to see the pandas earlier in the morning, while they were playing.

The zookeepers have given this lemur a stuffed animal to keep him company, until they can get a real live friend.  Apparently he loves to groom his little friend.  So cute!

We were delighted to take a shuttle from Lot E to Lot A!  The kids were definitely done so we were happy to save that mile of walking!

Career Day

Annika's class is doing something special every day until the end of the school year.  They're working their way through the alphabet with various special activities each day.  Today was "Career Day" - for C.  Annika had told me that she wants to be a firefighter when she grows up so was intending to wear our fireman costume.  Unfortunately we both forgot about it this morning so she went to school wearing a brown shirt and brown striped pants. 

When she got home she reminded me that today had been "Career Day.  I said, "Oh no!  What did you do?"  She pointed to her clothes and said, "It's okay. I'd also like to work at a Hershey Chocolate Factory."  

I love that she rolls with the punches.

(Ahem...next time I will move the rug before taking photos from this spot.)

Tattoo

Kardynn and I were driving down the road, headed for an appointment.  I had tuned out the commercials on the radio until Kardynn piped up from the back seat.

Radio, commercial for Art Erase: Do you have unwanted tattoos that you want to get rid of?
Kardynn: Yes, I do - a tan tattoo! 

That made me laugh. But actually she's correct. She had a temporary tattoo - actually half of a temporary tattoo - that stayed on her arm forever.  I finally removed it with rubbing alcohol...and we discovered that she had tanned around the tattoo.  Craziness!

It also made me realize that they are paying attention, even when I'm not.  Yikes.