Post-Obama Glow

And there was much rejoicing...

Obama won 93% of the vote in Washington DC, so there was literally singing and dancing in the streets of my neighborhood and the rest of our town. Henry and I came home at around midnight from an election party and young people were walking arm and arm and joyously singing God Bless America in the streets. Really. I was glad Henry got a chance to see that. Joan Baez was seen dancing in her bathrobe in front of the White House. (as were scores of others) (but not in their bathrobes)

Happy days are here again...

Camping In The Shenandoahs

"Yay! We're going camping with the Bissells!!"

Les and Todd enjoying one of the best aspects of camping. Beers at 10am.

Henry helping Papa put up the tent.

Todd keeping away the bears with his FIERCE mustache.

Henry and Loretta share a tender moment right before a dazzling WWF takedown. I'll leave it up to you to guess who took down whom.

Keeping warm, and waiting for the 'smores.

There were many leaf piles that needed jumping in, and the kids didn't miss one.

Les and Lindy Bissell. Still newlyweds after several years of marriage.

The Barbers Come To Visit On the prettiest autumn day you can think of, Todd's Aunt Ann and Uncle John Barber came to visit from upstate New York. The kids delighted in their company as did we.

Halloween Arrives on Lamont Street

Halloween began at preschool where Henry is arm in arm with Pirate Sage and Charlie The Flash.

It ain't officially Halloween without a New Orleans Dixieland Tuba parade around the block.

Back at home taking a breather before the night's main events.

Looks like this punkin overindulged.

As did these crunchy characters...

Here's Athena in a rare still moment with the kids. She's the mastermind and godmother of Halloween on Lamont Street, an event that draws hundreds and hundreds of people to our street every year. Getting their begging gameface on.

Here's me and my honey. I was dressed up as...Todd Pfeiffer. For authenticity, I had a real Leatherman and a cheesy mustache.

Some of the crowd gathering for the costume contest. Sarah Palin was there...

Don't get that weenie too near an open fire! At some point in the evening, the Yip Yips showed up at our house. Now I'm an adult, and I had half an idea that they might be coming, and I was STILL TAKEN ABACK BY THEM.

Henry and the other kids were downright mesmerized.

Loretta only stopped freaking out when she saw it was really Ben and Lauren underneath. Are they cute or what??? Weeks later, Loretta is still talking about the Yip Yips. And the Lamont Street judges awarded them Best Adult Costume to boot!!

Taking Some Punk Kids For Punkins

Recently, Loretta and I tagged along on Henry's school trip to Homestead Farm. It was a crisp, bright October day when we rode a fancy bus all the way to Poolesville, MD.

But of course, there's really only one authentic method of transport to a punkin patch. Hayride!

We met many sweet farm animals.

Played in the hay.

And then got down to bidness. Finding the perfect punkin.

Loretta worked feverishly picking and stockpiling about a dozen pumpkins, until we explained that we could only take one home.
Climbing on haystacks is fun!

Sailing With Piers

Ahoy mateys! On a blustery day in mid-October, Henry and his trusty crew went for a sail on the Chesapeake Bay. Ben Shaw was good enough to invite the gang out on his day-sailor Wyvern. Captain Ben shows Henry some points of interest. "And that's where I hope to build a strip-mall soon. We could really use a floating Starbucks out here."
Les Bissell: mouth-breather

Papa and son enjoying the sail. Ben had to take the heft of Todd's mustache into account when tacking.
Lauren and Les thought the waves were just swell.

A worn-out first mate. Sailing can take a lot out of you!

Hangin' With The Mt. P Homeys

Now that our time in DC is drawing to a close, I see all the sweet moments with our friends here in a different, bittersweet light. I know our friendships will continue, but it won't be the same as popping in and out of each other homes, impromptu moments, helping each other with our little ones at this intense time in our lives when were are overkidsed and underpatienced, as Erma Bombeck used to write. Here's some random moments when friends stopped in from next door or down the street.

How many Lamont Street kids can you fit on one bed?

Or one crib?Two beautiful Mt. P moms. That's Royce on the right, and Kristen holding Gavin. Beer and brownies night must live on somehow!

One lazy Sunday morning, we enjoyed a visit from Malika, Sage and Jonah.

When Frankie came over, Todd helped the kids to make cookies.Too many chefs may spoil the soup, but they definitely help make cookie batter lump-free.

Same kids, same kitchen, different day and project. This time it was making lemonade.

Henry CAN NOT BELIEVE Loretta is spiking the lemonade.

But I can.

Lemonade is even better when you add a few raspberries.