Catching Up

This seems to have been the winter that never was.  We usually spend January and February hunkered indoors, desperate for activities to keep the kids occupied.  This year, with unseasonably warm temperatures, we've suffered much less cabin fever.  Henry and Elise took up ice skating lessons in February.  Henry remembered most of the basic techniques from last winter but at times seemed more interested in eating the ice than skating on it.  Vivian is still too young for ice skating but spied the indoor pool at the rec center and insisted that we all go swimming.  We’ve signed her up for swim lessons this spring, but in the mean time, she’s been practicing swimming “like Ariel” in the tub.

Elise visited California in February for a week-long medical conference and managed to squeeze in a quick visit with college friends (Penny, Mike and Eric) in San Diego.  While she was away, Mimi Joanne helped Bryant maintain his sanity while home alone with the kids.  Below are some pictures from a weekend trip we took to the children’s museum in Baltimore while Mimi was visiting:

 

 

Henry and Vivian continue to delight, amaze and exhaust.  Vivian has fallen head first into Disney Princess mania.  Her favorites include Aurora, Ariel, Belle and Rapunzel.  On movie nights, when she is the “movie chooser,” she inevitably picks Tangled or Beauty and the Beast.  This usually elicits vigorous protests from Henry, but he ends up watching (and watching intently) with her.  Vivian absolutely adores her brother.  At home and on the playground, she chases after him constantly and wants to do just like him – climbing, swinging, throwing dirt.  And if Henry is tired and sucking his thumb, she will do the same.  Henry reciprocates by using Vivian as his wrestling partner (although she can give as well as she gets).  They squabble and fight and laugh and entertain and occasionally show genuine kindness toward one another.  Henry will share his dinner with Vivian (at least the stuff he doesn’t want to eat—like vegetables), and at night, when we are putting the kids to bed, Vivian will tuck her brother under the covers and kiss him goodnight.