Tiger Scouts

Henry joined Cub Scout Pack 301 as a Tiger Scout this summer.  The scouting activities got into full swing this fall with a den visit to the local water treatment plant, placing flags on soldiers' graves for Veterans Day, a hike along the Potomac and making care packages for troops in Afghanistan.  We're fortunate to have a very active pack at St. Mary's, with lots of enthusiastic (and patient) parents willing to invest their time with the boys.

 

 

 

Vivian's Soccer

Vivian participated in a spring soccer session at St. Anthony's.  Both kids have done these afterschool clinics for several years now.  Run by Khary Stockton Soccer, they mostly focus on developing fundamental skills--there is very little actual soccer played. One of the highlights of every session is the parachute sprint, when each child runs around the field with a parachute strapped to his/her back (see the picture below).  The clinics are held in the park across from the school, making them super convenient.  And of course, everyone gets a trophy at the end. 

 

Vivian's Dance Recital

Our little ballerina participated in her second dance recital this spring.  Since last year was a daddy-and-daughter dance (see Vivian's Dance Recital), this was Vivian's first time performing solo, and she danced beautifully, of course.  This year's theme was Peter Pan, with Vivian's class dancing as pirates.  As you can see from the photos below, she has really good form for a four-year-old.  Vivi was especially excited that Mimi Joanne was able to join us for the recital.  Afterwards, we presented Vivian with a bouquet of flowers and treated her to lunch (along with several of her classmates) at the Silver Diner.  Now that she has a year of ballet behind her, Vivian has been asking to take tap lessons.  Mommy and daddy may have to say yes, if only to keep their daughter from tap dancing all over the house.  Well done, Vivi, we're all so proud of you!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

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

Sledding Fun

As you can see from the videos below, the kids—and Bryant—had a great time perfecting their sledding skills this winter.  It didn’t hurt that the Winter Olympics (think bobsleigh and luge) were running at the same time.  Hope everyone appreciates the sled-cam action: it wasn’t easy to produce!

 

Scenes from a Bowling Alley

Keeping the kids occupied over Christmas break can be a real challenge.  This year we visited the ICE! exhibit at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor and also went bowling one afternoon.  The lanes near us have gutter bumpers and a small ramp for junior bowlers.  It’s hard to say which the kids enjoyed more, bowling or horsing around with the ball return machine.  In any case, Elise proved that she is far and away the best bowler in the family, with Henry and Bryant bringing up the rear, in that order. 
 

 

Henry bowls a spare.

Trophies and Tutus

Vivi followed in her brother’s footsteps and participated in an afterschool soccer program this fall.  Despite the constant tormenting, she truly idolizes her big brother and wants to do whatever he is doing.  Sometimes this leads to disappointment, like when she tries to join Henry and the other boys on the playground and they tease her.  Elise keeps telling her that it will be different one day—then they’ll be begging her to show them some attention. 

Vivi was amazingly focused on the soccer field—she listened attentively to the coach, followed instructions and never got distracted, pretty much the exact opposite of Henry and his friends during practice.  We’re never sure whether to attribute this difference to having an older sibling or just being a girl.  She was so proud when she received her trophy on the last day of soccer (see photo below).  It is now displayed on her bookcase, next to the tutus and tiaras.  Vivi also is continuing with ballet lessons, although this year she was old enough to participate without mommy or daddy.  She comes home every Monday night, enthusiastically jeté-ing through the house.  Below is a picture of Vivi and her friends from school as they prepare for ballet class. 

 

Apple Picking

After years of talking about it, we finally went apple picking this fall.  Friends suggested two orchards in Markham, Virginia—Stribling and Hartland.  Both are literally right off I-66, just before Front Royal.  We chose Stribling, if only because they had a slightly better website.  Apparently it was a good choice, because the orchard was packed.  We weren’t entirely sure what to do, so we just parked and started filling up bags of fruit.  Eventually someone handed us an apple picker, which was much easier than raising the kids on our shoulders—although we did have to supervise use of the apple picker, lest Henry and Vivian whack themselves or some poor stranger in the head.  The setting was lovely, with picturesque views of the Shenandoah mountains in the distance.  In less than an hour, we had filled several bags (those bushels fill up quickly when you have two eager young helpers).  We decided to quit before things got completely out of hand (how were we going to eat all that fruit?) and had a picnic lunch in a clearing near the orchard.  Everyone agreed it was an enjoyable outing and well worth a return visit next year.  Below are pictures from our apple-picking adventure:

Click here to find out what we did with the surplus apples.