Go Nats!

On a bright sunny day a few weeks back we root root rooted for the home team, The Washington Nationals at their brand new ballpark.

Loretta liked the chili fries aspect of the game.

Henry the hillbilly liked running loose in the stadium.

It was all fun and games until we encountered a Tickle Monster on the loose! (Lauren)

And then Henry's head sprouted a metal pole. Uncle Kurt seemed nonplussed.

Photos are courtesy of Ben. You can see the whole album by going here. http://picasaweb.google.com/benjaminshaw/BaseballWToddOddAug32008?authkey=XxUT8lZjm-c

Beach Bums

So we headed off to Litchfield Beach, SC in late July for a little family vacation. For those of you playing the home game, you will no doubt remember that Todd got down on one sandy knee and proposed marriage to me on this very beach 8 years ago.

Henry wasted no time in hitting the surf.

He and Todd elevated body surfing into an art form.

The whole lovely trip was organized by Chris and Hiromi Lowber. We had a great time with them, and our kids had a major blast with their kids Sarina and Shoma.

Mama and baby soaking up some sun.

A Reel Adventure

Wanna' make a 3-year old's whole weekend? Take him fishing! Which is exactly what Todd and our good friend Wing did with Henry recently. They went out to Fletcher's Boat House and rented a rowboat for the day on the C&O Canal.

And caught some fish to boot!

Some fishes were as big as a boot!

A happy, silly fisherboy.

Welcome To The World, Baby Girl!

After much anticipation, speculation, and perspiration (on Estela's part)...may we present the newest member of our family!

Phoebe DiFranco Field!

Here she is swaddled up tight and surrounded by her happy, adoring family.

Congratulations Tim and Estela!

Visit Patricia's blog for more info and pics. http://phatrish.livejournal.com/

Ride of Passage

Hey, Henry got his first two-wheeler! I saw this spiffy red number in the thrift store two weeks ago and couldn't resist its training-wheel charms. After a preliminary spin in Lamont Plaza, Henry decided the bike needed a good wash. (is he his father's kid or what?)

Polishing the handle bars until they gleam.

He recruited Loretta too. They may give my uncle's Mohawk Car Wash a run for its money!

Wrasslin' With Uncle Tom

We're lucky to have Uncle Tom living so close by. 'Specially since he doesn't mind the occasional Super-Fly Snuka Attack.

I Want My Baby-Back, Baby-Back, Baby-Back Ribs

As has been well-documented in this Blog, my kids love them some ribs. Below, Henry gets in on their preparation.

Look at that concentration.

Beating The Summer Heat

This summer has officially been the Summer of Splash Parks for me and the kids. Luckily, they're all over DC -- these little public playgrounds with some water feature . They're just the thing for active, water-loving kids and lazy moms. ;)

Above, Henry is running toward the camera delighted to be drenched. Loretta is walking away from the camera with her beloved Tupperware containers of water. We bring several of them to every park and she joyfully passes the time filling them up and dumping them over. If you could see how happy it makes her, you'd run right out and buy yourself some Tupperware.

The highly silly Loretta Lou Hoo.

I Believe I Can Fly

The kids spreading their wings at the Rock Creek Nature Center.

Estela The Procrastinator

Well, Estela's due date came and went and she's such a slacker that she didn't even bother to turn her project in on time.

But I forgive her.

A Big Apple Fourth Of July

We decided to get out of Dodge for Independence Day and enjoy New York City.

Y'know, you can go WAY faster without all that friction of the extra shoe.

We kept Dan busy.And Colleen kept the kids busy. She made them practice Chopin for two hours before they could escape. Above she's saying, "You call that Legato?!"

Truth be told, Dan and Colleen's place in Sunnyside, Queens is like a magical emporium of wonder for children and adults alike. C&D could not have been more lovely or accommodating to us and the chitlins. We really felt welcome and comfortable. Above Henry plays with Dan's "Randomizer." You know...to randomize things.

While an earlier Blog post shows Loretta and Henry dancing to Dan's tune "I'm A Good Man Most Of The Time," here's the live performance!

Then we headed over to Manhattan to meet up with the usual suspects in Central Park. Here, Kevin, Julie, Todd and Jack participate in a heated round of Simon Says.

A great guy on The Great Lawn. (Tommy Breslin)

From the park, we walked over to Jack and Saghi's beautiful pad. Above, Jack quickly (and wisely) childproofs his home. He was a blur -- moving a Ming Vase here, an irreplaceable family heirloom there and throwing entire sheets over couches.

Above, Aaron nervously wonders if Heineken can stain a Persian Rug.

The next morning walking around in Sunnyside we came upon this little impromptu shearing session.

And then we rode kangaroos.Colleen: "Who knew kangaroo rides were available in my neighborhood?!"We also went to Dumbo to meet friends and see two of the New York City Waterfalls. They are part of a public art project. http://www.nycwaterfalls.org/

Henry and Ramón enjoyed hurtling rocks into the East River.

It was great to visit with our good friend Carlos, Marnie and Ramón. They know all the best kid spots in town, like this pirate ship playground.

Then back over to the Brennan-Ghaffaris for a fabulous dinner party capped off with Jack's Birthday Cake. We are eating cake because Jack is now 40, decrepit and old. I'm sure glad I'm still in my dewy, youthful thirties. Please note the way my children are hovering over that chocolate cake.

Here is Saghi, the hostess with the mostest and the mastermind behind getting us all together to celebrate Jack's demise, er, birthday.

The wonderful Julie Brennan was there. As was her delightful daughter Kara. Can these two charming souls really be genetically related to Jack? Astonishing. At some point in the party, Kara launched into a spontaneous solo round of charades. Above she was acting out, "Searching Through Skirts On A Store Rack." And Aunt Saghi guessed it!It's not really a party until someone gets to fly.
Sorry fellas, these two captivating lookers are taken.

Loretta watching the toy sailboats in Central Park.
Henry climbing on Alice.
Loretta plotting her toadstool climbing strategy.Some child rearing advice from Lewis Caroll.

Enjoying the day with old friends. And Jack.

Southern Comfort

A couple of weeks ago, we got the happy call that our dear friends and former neighbors from Jacksonville, Florida would be coming through DC. We had such a good time reconnecting and sightseeing and introducing them to the new members of our family. Above Beth and Lauren hold the gruesome twosome.

Here's Merle, the pilot and impetus for this DC road trip. Merle is a lovely person and the world's bestest kindergarten teacher. I wish so much that we still lived across the street from her.

Lauren and the kids got on like a house on fire. Lauren has grown into a poised and lovely young lady.

It was quite shocking to see how much Lauren had grown. Todd and I still remembered her as the cute kid who lived next door. But time passes and children grow...that's their job. This was Lauren back in the day with her proud folks, Beth and Don.

It was so great to have some of the Dellwood Avenue Gang together again.