gabriella & jd (and alex! and vincent!)

pictures Alex's piano recital, Vincent at preschool, Chuck E Cheese birthday party, Grannie's, snacks, home haircut. =>black and white piano recital pictures 70 degrees, playing outside, lunch at Bistrot du Coin with Kathleen and Marek, picking up JD at Dulles. Christmas Eve Checking on the new roof at our house, lunch in DC at Taberna del Alabardero, the zoo, visit to Carrie's. Christmas Day Lamb for lunch, presents, Kurtz Christmas at Greg and Vicky's, after party at Mrs. Mudd's.

Last Saturday was the La Fête d'hiver (Winter Fair) at Alex's school.  Z and GG came to see Alex sing with the entire second grade.  Then we had a nice sushi lunch in Bethesda.  Sunday was the first snow storm, no school on Monday, and Tuesday was the second snow storm.  Alex and Vincent enjoyed playing outside even though it got wet and slushy pretty fast.  Alex decided to shovel our sidewalk on his own without being asked.  Love it! Winter Fair more pictures two snow days artistic black and white shots And yes, that is a hawk in our backyard.  Seems they like to hang around the bird feeders.

We went to see the train display at Brookside Gardens which Vincent and Alex really enjoyed.  We also had some warm weather after the freezing cold of Thanksgiving which was nice. We were able to play outside and go to the park. trains more trains pictures Mace, Suzanne and Eddy came over for a meal and a visit.  The boys played outside it was so nice. pictures Elmo slippers and popcorn snacks with Eddy. pictures Candy Cane City afterschool, Vincent at school, a visit to Grannie's. pictures Warm weather, raking the leaves with Grannie.

Madame HARRINGTON October 2013   CE1 (Second grade) click on picture to enlarge 

an original by Vincent We had a very nice Thanksgiving for the second year in a row at Hotel Hershey with the Spivak cousins (except for David who is in France), Aunt Adele and Uncle Ed, and Z and GG.  I don't have any pictures since I checked my camera with my coat, oops. We had a very busy week leading up to Thanksgiving, it was Grandparents Day at Vincent's school and Z and GG and Grannie were able to come.  On Wednesday we had a visit in DC with Toots and Poppie who were staying at the St. Regis one block from the White House, and Rachel and Jon and Sam and Bea who were in from Austin, and Aunt Shana. playing outside with Grannie Grandparents Day day before Thanksgiving Grocery shopping, Toots and Poppie in DC, Hanukkah gifts, Rachel, Jon, Sam, Bea, Shana, DC at night. Thanksgiving and day after Driving to Carlisle, Hotel Hershey lobby, fun at Bruce and Marjorie's, Days Inn, next day a visit to the US Army Heritage and Education Center ....

We've been busy with school and work and soccer and traveling so there are lots of pictures to catch up on.  Alex's last soccer game of the fall season was a draw and they will receive a trophy for their school.  Nov 1 Nov 6 Nov 7 Z and GG came out to the 'burbs to visit us. Nov 9 Kingston's birthday party   Vincent's classmate Kingston's 2nd Birthday party at the Trolley Museum.   Alex's last soccer game CE1 " Last match for our little ones who finished the season with a 4-4 draw against the other undefeated team in the conference.  They were led 4-1 and came back with the encouragement of the crowd tied at 2 min of the end!  They could win in the final seconds ... but this score parity leaves undefeated and first tied teams!"

We were busy with school, soccer, and Halloween.  Alex dressed up as a skeleton and Vincent was a fireman.  Alex and Vincent enjoyed trick or treating for the second year in a row. pictures Rose's Annual Halloween Party.  A beautiful sunny day this year for the party. pictures outside, fall foliage pictures Pumpkins and pumpkin carving.  pictures Halloween pictures Alex's soccer team is undefeated!  " Saturday, November 2 :  The CE1/CE2 won their seventh game in a row 2-1 against a very combative team ... they are one game off the perfect season"

  Vacation to Fort Lauderdale for Alex's Fall Break.  Sunny, warm, beach, pool, nice hotel and good food.  We stayed at The Atlantic Hotel and Spa and visited Bonnet House Museum and Gardens and Flamingo Gardens .  We also found an indoor arcade for Alex to play putt putt. arriving, hotel, beach pictures more pictures second day pictures Bonnet House Museum and Gardens pictures more pictures Flamingo Gardens pictures more pictures last day, swimming pictures

October 17 Preschool, playing, trains, rain, a Birthday meal(s), a vineyard, naps, snacks, raking leaves with Grannie, Alex's school, haircut, lunch at Grannie's. October 18 sunset, raking leaves, more sunset October 19 Alex's 4th soccer game.  Alex played goalkeeper and his team won 6-1. Halloween open house cooking, Vincent's Halloween costume for friends open house October 20 A beautiful sunny clear Fall day in DC.  Lunch at Cantina Marina with Z & GG, a nice walk on the Mall and in the Hirshhorn sculpture garden and gardens behind the Smithsonian castle.  Then back for a snack at Phillips on the waterfront and to the Capital Yacht Club to end the evening. more day in DC

A heatwave and the government shutdown - a very different October so far. Sept 21 Vincent at preschool, outside digging dirt, Candy Cane City, and Spencer's 15th birthday. October 1 Drawing, eating, reading, yard, Alex's school, park, the dentist and a removal of a kitty tumor for Lincoln. October 7 Alex has 4 teeth pulled, Eastern Market for lunch with Z and GG and Shana.

"I'm DRIVING!" more Vincent preschool pictures His teacher, Ms. Debra, told us Vincent is very animated in class. A WORD FROM MS. DEBRA about the Toddler class-- The children are adjusting well in the classroom ~ learning the daily routines ~ helping set up snack ~ cleaning up ~ sitting on the potty.  The children are exploring the classroom and all the different works. Favorites include washing hands and painting.  The Children are learning new songs and singing "old" favorites. You may hear them singing new songs around the house. We have also gone on a few walks. The children do very well holding each other's hands and seem to enjoy going out and about. " pictures A ton of pictures of Vincent playing outside. pictures Another ton of pictures from Alex's second soccer game.  JD is the official team photographer.  Alex's team won 1-0.  The official report "Les CE1/ CE 2 l 'emportent 1-0..resultat obte...

It's not Halloween yet, but.....Alex is practicing pictures rides at the Mall Vincent at preschool So nice of the teachers to take pictures and email them to us. more pictures Back to school night, piano practice for Alex (the lessons have started!), park after school (Candy Cane City in Rock Creek Park), Frank-Eli's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese, and another park.

Alex (#4) is playing soccer with his school and this year the team is part of a league with games every Saturday.  His team won the first game 7-1 and Alex even played goal keeper for the second half. soccer pictures more soccer pictures with snacks afterwards Vincent's preschool picnic

pictures Back-to-school night on Tuesday for Vincent, then Wednesday was Vincent's first day back to preschool.  He was glad to see his teachers and friends from last year.  It was also Rosh Hashanah. more pictures We took advantage of the nice weather and went to the park afterschool.

Tuesday was back to school for Alex.  He is in second grade (CE1, cours élémentaire), at Lycée Rochambeau .  He was very excited to see his friends from last year and meet some new ones.  Not much else to report.  We'll spend the next week getting back into the groove of things. pictures more pictures Labor Day Weekend We spent the weekend in DC, and for some reason ended up being where lots of folks were - Baltimore for some good Italian and then Port Discovery, but we didn't realize it was the Grand Prix.  Then on Sunday we went to the Air and Space Museum which apparently everyone else decided to do since it was hot and humid.  Alex's friend Frank-Eli came with us.  Lots of running around the massive museum and some cool airplanes. pictures more pictures

Saturday was the event of the summer - the Cahoon End of Summer/David's 50th Birthday party!  A ton of folks and a ton of fun - home brewed beer, smoked meat (and lots of it), moon bounce, splatter art, ice cones, cornhole, and good times with good friends.  And Chris Campbell's band "Old Lady Afro" played.  So much fun. pictures more pictures after the party... The Day After pictures end of summer pix ...food, Vincent, cooking, eating, backyard pool fun

Visit to Wilmington A trip to Wilmington to visit Toots and Poppie.  Museum of Natural History and Joe's Crab Shack on the water.  On Wednesday we went into Philadelphia to the Seaport Museum and then had sub sandwiches at Sarcone's deli . more Wilmington World's Tallest Lego Towe r article more Philly Seaport Museum, Little Italy, Legos, trucks from the attic, lunch in Ellicott City at a French restaurant . pictures piano, popsicles, yard, more popsicles, train table Savage Mill To meet up with Suzanne, Eddy and Angie for lunch.

pictures eating, rides at the mall, park, Rock Creek a few of Vincent

Today was the last day of both Alex and Vincent's summer camps.  It was also the Bar-T Ranch Parent show.  Alex's group 2B-Boys performed to "Circle of Life" from the Lion King.  There was also an ice cream truck and Italian ice. pictures pictures from the camp photographer video - 2B-Boys perform "Circle of Life"

haircuts But who can complain, really, when it was actually chilly last week in DC in August?  Odd, but we'll take it after one of the hottest summers ever last year.  Alex continues his adventures at camp, where it was "Team Olympics" and Alex was on the green team.  What would we do without Party City for supplies? pictures More camp, Grannie, Alex lost tooth #5, challah, Pho, playground, haircuts at Olypmic Barbershop Kensington, dinner outside at The Limerick Pub in Wheaton (good food and drink). more pictures Vincent's pajama day at camp, Alex's green team day at camp, lunch at Jaleo in Bethesda. Alex camp pictures He's in all of them - see if you can spot him. Alex swimming video pictures - Frank-Eli came over to visit pictures - goofing around the house pictures - reading, Green Team day, outside

pictures Vincent is going to the Silver Spring Learning Center for his summer camp.  Everyday there is water play outside and the first week there was a petting zoo.

Alex's second week at camp.  More swimming and activities at the camp's Waredaca farm including a climbing tower, lake, and zip line.  On Friday night Alex had a camp party and sleepover including campfire, smores, and sleeping in a yurt.  It was also a heat wave with the heat index over 100 degrees all week.  Ugh. The Week Vincent made challah, our first visit to Pacci's Trattoria when Alex was starving and grumpy, camp, Slurpee's, zip lining, swimming, Mitchell and Natalie's summer art camp. Maisie's Birthday party at Pump it Up Alex and Vincent had a great time.  Blurry pictures full of red-eyed children, sorry. JD's birthday weekend Lunch on Saturday at Pacci's Trattoria our new favorite restaurant where you can eat outside and the food is great.  Those are hard to find around here. short movie Alex swimming

Alex's first day of camp Alex is attending BAR-T summer day camp for five weeks.  Monday was his first day.  He loves it.  Lots of activities and kids and music and swimming.  Vincent is also going to "summer camp" at the Silver Spring Learning Center.  He's in the Yaldei Shalom class, there's lots of water play and arts and crafts and and he makes challah on Fridays. more camp More camp pictures, and Friday was parent's day where Alex's group performed on stage. Alex's group 2-C boys perform Alex is difficult to see in the back last Sunday Quick visit to Cahoon's for Nick's birthday(14).

Week of July 4th in Nags Head, NC with Kathleen, Marek, and his kids.  The week started out rainy but improved greatly.  Rose, Beth, Carrie and David also came down end of the week.  Lots of fun, sun, beach, pool, hot tub, and seafood.  Vincent loved the water and Alex could not get enough of scuba diving in the hot tub. New all Canon EOS pictures June 29 Driving down, arriving, rain, house ( #623 Blue Crab ), beach. Sun June 30 eating, rain, beach, pool, der schwimmen flugen, Marek's seafood fest Mon July 1 dance party, margaritas, taco night, playing cards "I doubt it" Tues July 2 Mexican breakfast buffet, better weather, pool, pizza, dinner on Nags Head Fishing Pier with a rainbow. Weds July 3 Even better weather, lots of sun, beach, Rose & Beth arrived, more pool and beach, Lime-a-rita's and brownies. Thurs July 4 Cahoon's arrived (12:30 a.m.), beach, food, drinks, pickle jar, sparklers and fireworks. Fri July 5 Last day, pool ti...

Alex's last day of first grade (CP = cours préparatoire) was June 25.  One week later than public school and two extra make-up days for Hurricane Sandy and snow.  Vincent has had a two week break since the end of his preschool and the start of his Summer Camp at the Jewish preschool.  He enjoyed the break helping do errands including his first trip to Home Depot and planting with Grannie. June 19 eating, backyard water fun, Home Depot, Vincent's first PB&J June 20 Goûter de fin d'année de la classe de CPC (end of the year party in Alex's class).  Vincent had a good time too.  All the girls in the class liked to pick him up they thought he was so cute. presentation of gift to Mme CURIONI dancing to Psy really just a lot of loud noise, notice Vincent and another sibling holding their own girls dancing Katy Perry Call me maybe Cookie Monster June 23 more pool fun, scuba mask antics, new windshield wipers for the '95 Tercel, 

pictures June 14 more farm pictures Friday - driving down to Lynchburg, snacks and picnic provisions at Whole Foods in Charlottesville, meeting Uncle Mace, Angie, Evie, Mace, Suzanne and Eddy at the Coleman Farm Homestead in Appomattox for dinner, to the Best Western. pictures June 15 obituary Aunt Beaty's Memorial Service . Motel fun, free breakfast, church, service, reception, pool fun, pictures June 16 more cemetery pictures Football at the motel, stopping by Amherst, VA on the way home to see Papa's church and the Mt. Pleasant cemetery full of relatives.  Vincent enjoyed running around and we saw our first cicada. pictures June 13 Before we left - Legos, playing with recycling, reading, eating, playing, dancing. In case you were wondering: one room schoolhouse where Grannie's parents (Eva Fauber Wright and Clarence Ellis Wright) went to school:   house where Grannie was born:

                         Sports Day - 2 blue, 2 red ribbons Chorale Concert Monday June 10 chorale pictures black and white Chorale pictures Fête du Projet bilingue This year Alex's class read "Little Red Riding Hood", "Jack and the Beanstalk", and "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves". pictures more pictures chorale movies "With Laughter and Singing" "A Tragic Story" "Ombra Mai Fu" "Yes, We Have No Bananas" movie from man in front of us Lycée Rochambeau Primary Chorale sings "Yes, we have no Bananas" "Evening Still" "A dream is a wish your heart makes" Encore "Bound for South Australia

June 7 Vincent's last day of preschool party.  It was pouring rain so the party was inside but Vincent had a good time and gave hugs to his teachers Miss Debra and Miss Yoko. June 8 Saturday, some Target shopping, food court, Alex went to Alphée's birthday party, playing outside. June 9 Vincent's 2nd birthday.  Dim sum at the mall, going to a park, water in the backyard, getting Dad from Dulles, presents and birthday tart. a few more pictures "Happy Birthday to You"

ready to perform Let the end of the school year festivities begin.  Three of the first grade classes at Alex's school performed a "Spectacle de Musique" on Thursday night.  Although the movies are far away and blurry (yay), you will get the idea of the performance.  I think the Deitch "I love performing and being in front of people" kicked in.  Alex danced a waltz with Alphée, and then there was "Cotton-eye Joe". pictures of Spectacle other pictures movies: waltz Cowgirls and Cowboys Cotton-eye Joe 4 minutes prepare yourself more Cotton "Car le monde et tout petit"

Aunt Adele is retiring (graduating) after teaching for 43 years - well, really 50 if you want to know the truth.  We had a nice weekend in Altoona for her party, including time with Aunt Shana and Z and GG who drove up from NC. article: "Longest tenured Hollidaysburg teacher calling it a career" Friday end of the week, hot, humid, playing, pool, Grannie,  Lush bath bomb. Saturday and early Sunday Arriving Altoona, PA, stopping by Alex's summer camp Bar-T Ranch for an open house.  Alex can't wait to go. The Graduation Party at The Blairmont Club just a few more pictures eating and playing

grumpy Alex, Vincent, and Grannie May 29 Today was Grannie's birthday!  Alex was exhausted from school and the weather (93°+) so he is a bit grumpy in the pictures. The guacamole helped a little bit.  Alex helped make the icing for the "watergate cake". May 28 Vincent loves to put on other people's shoes.  He also likes to sit and read in the office/playroom.  Alex wore a costume for his field trip to the historic Seneca Schoolhouse,   dressed as "Bert", a boy from the 1880's whose father was a blacksmith.  Then there was some fun with a volcano kit he got for his birthday.   school pictures from Seneca Schoolhouse

NEW pictures  more Trolley Museum, Vineyard, and soccer pictures taken by Alex May 19 sleeping, eating, rabbit, sick (Vincent), bird watching, pool, reading, jumping on the bed, CPK, the mall, playground, walk to Old Kensington, Natalie's mouse Jeffrey gets a bath May 23 car, Mi Rancho, picking up Grannie, sprinkler fun, preschool May 25 Fantastic weather for Memorial Day Weekend - a trip to the Trolley Museum and Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards. May 27 A great French meal at Petits Plats, a quick trip to the Museum of Natural History, haircuts, and a playground.

May 3 Alex's birthday was celebrated at his school on Friday May 3, complete with a dance party. May 5 Fun with Dad at the zoo and airport. video of dancing more dancing last one

April 26 playground, outside, helping Grannie April 30 March and April, in the basement, opening Z & GG's gift May 2 reading, playing, vacuuming, preschool playground, snacks May 11 more outside, airport, shoes, playground

Vlad the Impaler JD was in Romania for work the second week of April. pictures

We had a moonbounce and 13 kids and Grannie and Toots and Poppie and Aunt Shana and Suzanne and Eddy.  Lots of jumping and fun and presents! pictures more pictures from the party

Birthday pictures coming....Alex had a good day, he went to Mad Science Camp "Earth" and shared cupcakes with the class.  For dinner he wanted his favorite meal of steak, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. some pictures from Alex's birthday opening some cool gifts from Kathleen JD was in Romania last week so we entertained ourselves with lots of outside play, with some hot weather and cooler weather.  Alex likes to climb the dogwood tree in our backyard, and Vincent loves to kick the ball.  Snacks are fun too. April 13 outside nice weekend Grannie's April 17 outside yardwork snacks April 20 inside and outside April 22 more outside fun and the breakfast burrito

We just had three days of 90 degree weather.  Strange, but enjoyable.  We broke out the kiddie pool and everything. pictures more pictures a few more

pictures Enjoying the plastic toy car Ed and Adele gave Vincent, and other toys we have acquired from neighbors who no longer need them.  Alex finally learned how to tie his shoes.  A nice evening and dinner at Carrie's house for Kathleen's birthday.  pictures Lamb for Easter and a visit from Toots and Poppie and Shana.  A fun game of Apples to Apples. pictures Lunch in Del Ray.  Kathleen's birthday continues.  Lunch the next day at Continental Pizza. pictures More outside, Alex's school.  pictures Finally sunny and warm, 70+ degrees.  Yay.  John made his world famous ziti, too bad JD missed it he was on his way to Romania for work. 

Alex got his first pair of glasses last Friday.  Vincent wanted to try some on too.