Swimming lessons

dear asher

asher got a great job at the diving board today he float on his back and swim across the pool he on tuesday nolan jump in the pool asher will talk m r' rose that he got a great job at the diving board on thursday but nolan wanted to go fast as asher when he swim

love asher

Reliable Source Meets Hunters Woods Preschool

Proudly, the Washington Post is our preschool's top pick for its art projects and gerbil cage liner. We had a good laugh seeing the Reliable Source page hanging from the art easel after taking Asher to school the other day (see middle headline regarding Captain Sulley's smooth landings in bed).

Forest Kindergarten

This NY Times article has really been on my mind lately. I'm not ready to drop seven large so my kid can experience outdoor kindergarten when there is a really wonderful public school two blocks away, but I can appreciate the philosophy and think it would be a wonderful experience for any young child.

Instead, I've been thinking about how to incorporate more outdoor time in our lives. In the other three seasons of the year, it's a given. Come winter, we tend to hibernate indoors. Warning to my children: Bundle up and thicken that warm Latino blood 'cause we are headed outside!

Noe turns 7

Because Noe prefers doughnuts to cake, and because Ed works evenings, we held a breakfast celebration in his honor. This was the first year that Noe has blown out his own birthday candles. For his first couple years of life, he didn't have the oral-motor ability to blow on command. For the past few years, he just wasn't interested. This year, he loved hearing us sing to him and he loved seeing our excitement when he blew out his candle. Such a simple thing for most kids, but not for Noe. There were some tears shed and a few thankful prayers said that morning (all from Ed....I was cool).

Christmas 2009: Central Park

To me, Central Park is the crowning jewel of NYC. We didn't get to spend as much time in the Park as we had hoped (busy schedule, cold weather), but still managed to find some play time.

Christmas 2009: Playing the Holiday Tourist

We spent our Christmas Day enjoying the window displays on 5th Avenue, hanging out at Bryant Park, looking at the city view from Top of the Rock, and of course, marveling at the beautiful Christmas tree and ice skaters at Rockefeller Center. We had hoped to avoid the crowds by heading into the city early Christmas morning.....but it was still pretty crazy!

Christmas 2009: NYC Accomodations

We were very grateful to have use of a good friend's condo during our trip. The boys didn't even mind their pink bedroom. Their favorite part of the condo: ringing the bell on the girls' kitchen set. Over and over and over. My favorite part: how my friend makes urban living with children so doable....and attractive! I definitely want to give it another try someday soon. Only improvement needed: being able to see said friends in their beautiful condo instead of living vicariously in their home.

Christmas 2009: US Botanical Garden

This has become a DC holiday tradition for us. Each year, the train tracks are surrounded in a different theme (this year was fairy tale land) and each year it is equally magnificent. This year, we came at the end of the holiday season (last week) and were so glad we made the time to go see it. Plus, it smells so good in a building full of live plants and Christmas trees and the tropical air feels wonderful in January.

Christmas 2009: Times Square

We tried to avoid Times Square, but it sucked us right in. You will notice that we aren't surrounded by throngs of tourists. This summer, they closed off sections of streets to traffic, making the whole scene more walkable and breathable.

Christmas 2009: New York Treats

We spent a fair share of our trip scavenging around the city for our favorite New York eats: the best bagels and pizza, our favorite diner in our old Queens neighborhood and we even made some new discoveries....including the famous Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. My favorite meal of the trip? The free wrap sandwiches we had in Chelsea....it was their opening day and everything was on the house!

Christmas 2009: New York City

We had such a great trip! Everything was perfect.....except for the traffic driving into the city. As Asher keeps reminding me since we left, "I love the New York City."