Signs of Spring

 

 

After one of the longest, coldest winters in recent memory, spring finally sprung in May.  We knew summer was just around the corner when the irises in the front yard burst into color (see above).  We opened the windows and enjoyed the humidity-free weather before the full force of DC summer descended upon us.  Below are some photos of the kids enjoying another rite of spring: the annual Spring Fling at St. Mary's school in Old Town Alexandria. 

 

 

Spring Soccer

Henry started rec league soccer this year.  The season got off to a rocky start with the first week of practice cancelled due to poor weather and the first game held in a steady rain.  Needless to say, Henry was less than excited to continue playing, but after a few more practices and games, he warmed up to soccer and eventually scored a few goals later in the season.  This was our first experience with the Alexandria Soccer Association, and overall we were impressed by the program.  The children in Henry's age bracket play four-a-side scrimmages of 10 minutes each and there is no keeping score (and few rules).  The emphasis is on participation and building fundamental skills rather than strategy.  Despite his occasional reluctance to mix it up on the field, Henry did really well.  We're hoping we can convince him to try soccer again next spring...and hopefully this time we'll have better luck with the weather.  Below are some pictures of Henry in action on the pitch.

 

 

 

Henry's first goal!

Easter 2014

We spent Easter with Mimi and Paw Paw in Alabama.  It was our first time back in Mobile since our ill-fated beach trip of 2012 (see Labor Day 2012).  This time the weather was perfect, and we took advantage of the spring sunshine with lots of outdoor activities.  On Easter morning, Henry and Vivian awoke to discover that the Easter Bunny had brought them roller skates!  After a few turns around the neighborhood, we went to church with Mimi and Paw Paw and spent the rest of the day playing with Bryant's childhood toys (check out the vintage sit-n-spin below).  The next day we headed to Dauphin Island for a day at the beach.  We planned to stay only a few hours but ended up spending most of the afternoon playing in the sand.  On the way home, we stopped at The Mariner restaurant and picked up some fried Gulf seafood for dinner.  The beach was hard to top, but we came close with a visit to Alligator Alley in Baldwin County the next day.  We were expecting a tourist trap, but this place was beautifully maintained and very informative--well worth the hour drive across the bay to get there.  We just missed the 1:00pm feeding but were still able to see some massive gators.  On the way over, we stopped at the "world famous" Dew Drop Inn for chili dogs and fried onion rings.  The only thing we needed to complete our Mobile visit was some of Mimi's sausage balls--and we had those on our last day (see Things We Like: Sausage Balls).  By the time we got back to Washington, the kids were already asking when we could visit again.

Planting jelly beans to grow into lollypops (see below).



  

 

 

 

  

Hanging out at Mimi and Paw Paw's house.

 

 

 

Fun in the sun at Dauphin Island.

 

"Captain Crunch"—the biggest gator at the farm.

St. Patrick's Day 2014

Each year our neighbors host an elaborate St. Patrick’s Day party complete with beer kegs, a moon bounce and Irish music and dancing.  This is always a great occasion to reconnect with neighbors after a long winter hibernating indoors.  Despite a really rough winter, the weather this weekend was perfect—sunny and seventy degrees.  Below are some photos of the kids and us enjoying the festivities.  Just to be clear, the keg in the picture below is filled with rootbeer.  Slàinte!

 

  

 

 

Skating Lessons

Another way we kept the kids busy this winter: ice skating lessons.  Both kids had been skating before and Henry had previously taken “mommy and me” lessons, but this was the kids’ first time on their own with an instructor.  We must say, they both did a great job—arguably the stars of their class.  Henry is fairly comfortable skating on his own, and Vivian quickly learned to march and glide while mostly staying upright.  Next up is Snow Plow Sam II starting in May.  Hopefully we’ll all be skating on our own next winter–or at least well enough to help dad.

 

  

Cures for Cabin Fever

Keeping the kids occupied during the bleak winter months is always a challenge, especially with a season like this past year’s (we were still receiving snow and freezing rain in late March).  To keep from going stir crazy, we got out of the house when we could.  Museums are always a good bet, and two of our favorites are the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Port Discovery children’s museum in Baltimore.  We visited both and learned that the kids have a curious interest in Egyptology and mummies (see below).  Our diversions weren’t limited to indoor activities: on milder weekends, we ventured outdoors for visits to Great Falls Park (near the Potomac River) and Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County.  Both excursions were a little slushy from the melting snow but provided some much needed fresh air.  Our trip to Great Falls was particularly memorable for the post-hike dinner and drinks we had at The Old Brogue Irish pub in the town of Great Falls.  As the season drew to a close, we even had a few spring-like weekends.  One particularly fine Saturday in March, Bryant and Henry paid a visit to the Mount Vernon Estate and learned all about our nation’s first president.  Bryant was impressed with Henry’s interest in the various historical exhibits and spent a lot of time answering questions like: who was the shortest president (John Adams) and who was the tallest president (Abe Lincoln).  Below are some photos from our various late winter/early spring outings. 

 

Dinosaurs and mummies at the Smithsonian

 

 

More mummies and water play at Port Discovery

 

Nature walk at Huntley Meadows Park

 

 

Family hike at Great Falls Park

 

 

Father and son fieldtrip to Mount Vernon Estate