Missed Happenings

We did a lot our last few months in the DC area.  A LOT.  I tried to squeeze as much as possible in, and as it turns out that was a ton.  I could never list it all! But here are a few of the things we got to do before we left.

Embassy Day

With the Japanese Ambassador

This is one of our fave DC events.  All the embassies throw open houses so that people can come and get a taste of the culture they represent.  There is food, music, dances, art, artifacts, all kinds of things.  We of course couldn't make it to every one, but we hit up some great ones.  Little One's favorite was Iraq.  First of all, the food was killer good.  Secondly, the music was great!  Instead of live performers, this one had a DJ spinning Iraqi tunes, and apparently it struck a cord with Her.  She rocked out like only She can.  Of course She had quite the audience after a little while, and pretty much stole the show, getting rounds of applause after various numbers, and lots of compliments for Her parents.  She also loved the wild costumes from some of the South American embassies, the spicy snacks at Tibet, and anything that had music and dancing.

Greek Festival

In another taste of culture and another chance for Little One to dance Her heart out, we went to the Greek Fest.  J and I pigged out on pastries, and Little One joined the dance line.  Miss just hung out and charmed everyone, but we're sure She had fun too.

Children's Fair

We came home with like 500 art projects and two very tired but happy girls.

Kayla's Pony Party

look out! I'm drivin!

At their cousin's birthday party, Little One got to ride ponies and this time, didn't even fall off!  I got to go ride a horse all by myself, and only crashed once.  We all ate cake and had fun times with family, and Little Miss got Her first experience going swimming!  Big hit.

DC Culture Day

This year the three focuses were Peace Corps, Rhythm and Blues, and Columbia.  The Peace Corps exhibits were amazing; there were workshops and demonstrations from all different parts of the world, and lots of interesting projects.  Little One decorated and mailed a postcard to a child in Honduras, and loved watching Shea Butter being made, and then smoothing it into Her skin.

She LOVED the Columbia section, mostly because of the stage with traditional music and dancing.  You know She danced right along!

But the R&B was Her favorite.  She was in heaven.  The beat just carried Her little heart away.  There were a bunch of kids from a dance school there on the floor, and Little One hooked up with a little boy, maybe 4 or 5 years old.  They danced for about half an hour, straight.  Until they were both dripping with sweat and out of breath.  It kills me I have no video of this, because it was amazing.  It was like dancing with the stars! They were such a great little combo.  He was a super sweet kid, very encouraging and sweet to Little One.  The fun thing was watching him teach Her actual dance moves, and watching Her pick them right up.  He'd demonstrate and then before I knew it, She was doing turns under his arm, doing spins around each other, turning under while holding hands, doing a little move where they kicked opposite feet towards each other, and one where they shuffled right and left together.  It was like they had danced together for months.  Little One and I were both kind of sad we didn't get to take the guy home, but sadly his own parents wanted to keep him.


Kayaking

Miss's idea of adventure sports...

When J's sister came, we finally did something we'd wanted to since moving to Maryland, and went kayaking on the Potomac. We took turns paddling and playing on the shore with the kiddos, and it will go down as one of the funnest things ever as far as I'm concerned.  I could kayak every day! Who knew?




Amish Market

We went to this market on our way to Southern Maryland.  J and I got cinnamon rolls and jam.  Little One pet some chicks, and Miss rode a horse.  Fun for everyone!




Berry Picking

We took Little Miss for Her first and last outing at our favorite orchard/farm. Both gals had fun seeing the animals and playing on the hay bales.  We found one very sweet little berry.


Visits and Playdates

Nothing like great-grandparents !

One of my favorite pics of all time.

Love

chillen

Keeping up with the big kids

we miss dinner at aunt wen's

Up Top!

We tried to see everyone before we left, but of course never got to.  We did get to have goodbyes with some of our friends though, and we miss all of them too much.


General Cuteness

Yes.  There has been quite a lot of that.  I have all but given up on even trying to save it up, it is so overwhelming.  But these are some little bits.  We're getting more in all the time, too.