Play date with Avery!

Alexa's friend Avery was home from pre-school this week, so we made a play date! Alexa showed Avery her new trampoline. She also showed her how to jump while holding a stroller and talking on the phone... Hope she doesn't multitask like this when she gets her driver's license!

Alexa also shared her new car! She pushed Avery in the car and they both drove it together. The girls had so much fun playing! Just look at their expressions! They were cracking us up. We can't wait for another play date with Avery!

Alexa and Henry on the activity mat

Awww, Alexa is giving Henry hugs! She likes to cuddle with him on the activity mat. She looks up and shows him how to grab the toys. And then she gives him hugs! So cute.

National Aquarium with Avery and Sophie

Today was a holiday, so we figured we'd check out the National Aquarium! It's downtown and we always wondered about it. Well, now we know. It was small -- and expensive! Not worth the drive for just 30 minutes of entertainment. Oh well, it was nice to see friends and get out of the house!

The Hangover - Daddy/Henry-style

Alexa: It's a BIG Christmas tree!

Yes, this tree is very big! And it's covered in big shinny balls! And pinecones!

Henry's 1st visit to the National Mall & downtown D.C.

Henry was born in Washington, D.C., but today marked his first trip downtown! It also was his 1st visit to the National Mall. Since Daddy was off this week, he wanted to see the new Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial. So we drove downtown and had lunch at Logan Tavern in our old 'hood, then visited the memorial. What a beautiful day!

Panda bears and lions and Anne at the Zoo!

We had a fun morning at the Zoo today! We got there early, so there were no crowds and the animals were all out and about. Check out the panda bear waving to us! Alexa loved watching the panda bears eat what looked like watermelon, here favorite fruit of the moment. We also checked out the elephants and flamingos! Alexa is shrugging her shoulders because I asked her what color they are!

When we headed to see the lions, Alexa got a surprise! We ran into my friend and Anne! Alexa and Anne were so funny. They each had their own snack trap and took turns inspecting what each other had in their snack trap and wanting what the other had. So cute!

After Alexa's nap, we went to a nearby park and met Daddy at our favorite new restaurant for lobster rolls! Alexa didn't eat much of her dinner. But she enjoyed ice cream for desert!

Play date with Anne at a Capitol Hill park!

Daycare was closed today, so we headed to Capitol Hill for a play date with my friend and her adorable daughter, Anne! We went to a great park and the girls had a blast running around!

When we got home, Alexa asked to eat outside. And then she asked for French fries. Since I didn't feel like making anything, we piled back in the car and went to get some Micky D's! Shhhh.... Bad Momma! It was delicious and we had fun eating outside. Plus, she got a Smurf in her Happy Meal. :-)

More Starbucks, tricycle fun and playground with Eli!

A great Sunday... More Starbucks! This time, she stole my chocolate/banana smoothie. It was yummy but she wouldn't give it back! Doh! That's what I get for introducing her to the good stuff. When we got home, she played on her new tricycle, although she still can't figure out the pedals.

After nap, Alexa enjoyed a fun play date with her neighborhood friend Eli at the park! Eli brought some trucks to push down the slide. Great idea!

Starbucks and Apple Store - We support both!

Alexa is learning at an early age that coffee = Starbucks! When Daddy gets us coffee in the morning, she always wants her own cup (filled with water or milk) and lately she's even been eating our Starbucks breakfast sandwiches! I won't object, because the egg is healthy for her...

Alexa is also learning at an early age that the Apple Store is FUN! We had an appointment today to talk to the computer folks about photo storage and backup options and Alexa enjoyed playing computer games!

More cute blue things for baby brother!

I can't help it... They were on sale! Cute, huh? Who says they don't make cute stuff for boys...

Alexa's new tricycle!

Alexa has a new pink bike! Well, not new, but new to her. When we were over at our friend's house on Sunday, they gave Alexa a tricycle that their twin daughters had outgrown. Alexa has a bike that we can push, but this one is a big girl bike. She loves it! Not that he knows how to ride it yet...

Speaking of "Made by Grandma" items...

Alexa isn't the only one getting handmade stuff! Check out this pillow and elephant that my mom made for baby brother's nursery! I love them!

And, here is a sneak peek at Alexa's birthday outfit... Perfect for her train party!

Alexa is 23 months!

Alexa turned 23 months while we were on vacation in Ocean City, and we finally found time to mark the occasion with her monthly photo shoot! Alexa now knows the routine and will stand at the top of the stairs and say "cheese!" But you only have 1/2 a second to take the photo before she is off and running! In any case, here are the photos I got... Can you guess which shot is posed?!

Note that Alexa is wearing a gorgeous pillowcase dress handmade by Grandma Lil!