Camp Boy Big news! Henry started summer camp this week. He goes Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9-1. This is him getting ready to go on the very first morning! Wagons ho!

This is him after I picked him up. Wagons halt! The boy was wiped out. But he had a blast.
You may be wondering what Loretta and I did without Henry around. Well, we played... And then we goofed around some.

Dance Party USA

When Frankie Fults stops by and Papa cranks the Hank Williams, you know these kids are gonna' get their groove on.

Bustin' a move.

Your Typical Day in Mt. Pleasant

Last Saturday afternoon, as Todd and Loretta napped and Henry and I played in the living room, strains of Caribbean music came wafting in through our windows. I asked Henry if he wanted to find where the music was coming from. He shouted "Yes!" So we put on our shoes and ran down the street in search of the music.

Here's what we found. A local Cuban band called Orquesta Ashe was giving a free performance in the park. People were dancing, laughing, singing, and the music was just incredible. Like having the Buena Vista Social Club live on my block. Henry and I stayed for a while and took it all in. I managed to take some photos. But I gotta' tell you, from the moment I entered that plaza something about these Cuban rhythms choked me up. Big time. I started crying and crying. Big silent tears coming down my cheeks. For 15 minutes or so. I know the lead singer saw me, I tried to smile at him through the tears. I wonder if he sees that reaction a lot. The music is so full of emotion and longing somehow. If you ever get a chance to see them. GO.
Later on, we sat on our front stoop and Siena and Royce stopped by for a visit. Siena is the newest baby on our block. BUT NOT FOR LONG! Many babies are expected. If we ever leave DC, this neighborliness and the many dear connections are what I will miss the most. ...and Marion Barry.

Henry found a witch's claw from Halloween in our front yard.
Royce holds little Siena the burritto baby.

Reunited...And It Feels So Good!

This past weekend, me and my gal pals from American University days got a chance to get together and catch up. Carey (possibly jet lagged or medicated) offered to host the reunion in her gorgeous backyard. To this once pristine location, we introduced kiddie pools, tunnels, chalk, bubbles, dirty diapers, and donuts. I am sure when her husband Jim came home, he wondered why he hadn't heard about the tornado that hit their neighborhood.

Elizabeth enjoys her brunch and listens intently

to the latest news. Carey gets her upper body workout by holding

Loretta the mega chunk.

Kid Central!The very luminous Sarah, Jen, and Olivia.

Johannah makes a run for it! Cate is on standby.A radiant Donna holds a super-chill Parker.

Abby training for her NASA Space Station mission.

Olivia feeds Parker, the newest member of the gang.

Quinn: "Ha ha! Mommy will never find me in here!"
Avery, Emily, and Henry. (aka Bucket Boy)

Into The Woods

This past Father's Day weekend, we indulged the papas and went camping. Careful what you wish for guys. I think this photo was the only time the two of them were not in motion or working. It takes a lot of work to go camping! (for them anyway)

We camped at Point Lookout, Maryland a very pictaresque area where the Potomac empties into the Chesapeake Bay. We got to play on the beach, go swimming, biking, crabbing and hiking. S'mores were made, stars were gazed, and ticks were removed from bodies.

What more could you ask for? Camping is all well and good, but snacktime must be kept sacred.
(Henry and Nico)
Winners of the cutest campers award.

(Cora and Loretta)Winners of the most boisterous campers award.
Loretta enjoying the fresh air and Aunt Estela's company.

And who praytell do you think cooked every meal on this camping trip?

(not me)

Cora nearly nearly started walking on her own during this trip! She's just days away now.

Wondering if that Sasquatch story is really true.

Swimmin' SundeeThis weekend we were supposed to go swimming with friends at an outdoor pool, but threatening rain sent us to an indoor pool instead. We wound up at the Mongtomery Aquatics Center in Bethesda, which we all loved. It really rocks for swimming with little kids.
Here is our friend Lambros holding Miss Loretta. This was Loretta's first experience with swimming. (if you don't count those 40 weeks in utero)
A wet and wild group shot. Davina holding Zoe, Lambros with Henry, and me with Loretta.
To no one's surprise, Henry was pretty fearless in the water. He plunged underwater and splashed about happily with Papa. Loretta was perfectly at home in the pool too. Those are Todd's swimmer genes expressing themselves.
Henry Pfeiffer: Synchronized Swimmer in the 2025 Olympics?

Stay tuned.

Why Henry Loves Nonno's HouseBecause Nonno has things like LIVE WILD ANIMALS IN CAGES lying about. My father found this "chipmonkey" in his vegetable garden. As my father is the original Mr. McGregor...no animal is safe. Henry was delighted when Nonno allowed him to release this chipmonkey into a witness relocation program.

Happy One Year, Cora!

Last week, me and the kids went to Cleveland to celebrate the anniversary of Miss Cora's first year on the planet.

Ain't she cute?
Such a celebration calls for not one... but TWO birthday cakes!
...and pasta,...and 15 pounds of Argentinean-style asado.

Zia Anna gave the birthday girl a boost.And Erica helped raise the roof. Masina and Loretta called each other

to coordinate fuschia outfits.

Fire Place

While we were visiting Cleveland, my cousin Luigi generously offered to show the boys his workplace. Lucky for the boys, Louie happens to be a firefighter and not an actuary.

While Luigi was showing Nico his cool gear, Henry was running screaming to the car yelling, "SCARY!! IT'S SCARY!!"

Hopefully the last time Nico sees the inside of an ambulance.
Bar none, the most exciting part of the firestation for the boys was the mud puddles. They both jumped in fully clothed. Luigi had to do some on the spot rescue. A 5-alarm good time.

Kissing Cugini

One of the happiest, most fulfilling parts about getting together with family is seeing how much fun the cousins have together and the relationships and memories they are creating. Enjoying a rainstorm.

...and its aftermath puddles.
Dressing up.

Commuting together.

Going for a swing...

...and going for a smooch.

And the whole fam damily.