Visiting the Rembrandt Etching Collection

LindaMom found an interesting exhibit for our DC outing at the Museum of Art. With 6 adults and 4 kids we all got a chance to see a little something ourselves and try to make it interesting for kids in turns. I'm just amazed to see anything last 300 years (since things get destroyed so easily in our toddler-driven home!) Tom and I both particularly liked the etching of Jesus Healing the Sick aka The Hundred Guilder Print. Elizabeth did great between saying "Oh! and Wow! while pointing to pictures while I asked her to find the dog, or the baby Jesus, and eating Grandma's little magic mints when it got tough to be quiet (the "magic" part comes in when the otherwise screeching child becomes quickly quiet:) )

We also saw the Native American Smithsonian where Tyra and Thomas plaited and twined, and Elizabeth stood as the demonstrator for anyone who wanted the buttons pushed that pronounced the names of the indian nations in the northwest. Lily took a little snooze in the stroller. It was a pretty day, and an enjoyable outing. Of course the metro is a major highlight anytime we take it into DC!

Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here!

We are lucky to have DadTom and LindaMom here (Tom's parents) and his bro Uncle Mikey, and his sis Aunt Janine and her husband Brian. We are missing Robgelena, but they are with us in spirit and internet gaming and chatting :)
The warm up time for the kids was absolute ZERO, possibly because Grandma, Grandpa, and Janine were all here just a few months ago for Tyra's baptism. Or it could be because of all the times Grandma Linda called and did songs and fingerplays for the girls to do with her. Whatever the reason, it has been a sweet and smooth transition having everyone arrive this week. They are all happy and doing great.

Tyra and Thomas have learned how to play Nintendo Mario Cart but mostly love cheering on the uncles while they play.

Lily loves doing anything with Grandma Linda and really loves the special attention and love. Elizabeth bounces around giving loves to everyone. Thomas bugs Mikey endlessly to play Nethack so he can watch.


Tyra (and Lily and Thomas) all made a great gingerbread house out of some tricky crunchy gingerbread with Aunt Janine's engineering skills mixed with her great ability to work with the kids. I've been enjoying good company: happy to have Tom take off so much work and be around for kisses all day, happy to have a great sister-in-law to chat about everything with and get good ideas and advice from, and a great nothing-to-me (brother-in-law-in-law) to generally cheer me up and cheer me on, especially when I say my negative self-talk outloud.
Grandpa Tom led us in the tradition of reading through the Christmas Book which is the christmas story with various pictures and songs throughout. Then the kids did the nativity (Tyra as Mary, Thomas as a Wiseman with Brian--sort-of, Lily as a sweet Angel, Elizabeth as a roving sheep trying to climb on Tom as the donkey, there was also Mikey as Joseph, and Grandpa as the Innkeeper.) Fun night together, with a good spirit of love.

Smile that Frown Away!!

Lily sings "If You Chance to Meet a Frown"

EJ sings

Elizabeth's tricks