Dancing Fools...

Logan and Carsyn had their last ballet class last night. Well, it was the last class of this session. They will have a short break before resuming class. They were pretty disappointed that their friends were sick and missed the last class, but we'll get together soon for sure!

Logan and Carsyn warming up at the barre...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Little ballerinas...

Daddy Day at School...

In honor of the Feast of Saint Joseph, the girls' school celebrated fathers with a special mass and reception. We were so lucky that Daddy's schedule worked out and he was able to attend. The girls had fun showing him all the great stuff in their classrooms. He enjoyed spending the morning with his girls! Maren and Mommy got to hang out too...eating snacks and taking pictures.

Logan and Daddy...

Carsyn and Maren (Daddy was not happy w/

the way the photo of him and Carsyn turned out)...

O.C.

On Saturday morning we drove to Ocean City, Maryland...not Orange County ; ) Our little beach babies have been missing the beach ever since we left California. So, we had been looking forward to a beach weekend for a long time. The drive wasn't bad at all. We explained to the girls before we left that it wouldn't be a typical trip to the ocean--we definitely we're going to be putting on bathing suits. It was pretty chilly, but the girls loved playing in the sand and finding shells (in their sweats!) We went to mass Saturday evening, and then went out for pizza on the boardwalk. On Sunday we spent the morning playing at the beach until we had to check out of our hotel. On our way out of town we stopped by the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, up the road in Delaware...very cool. Daddy and Nana also couldn't leave Ocean City without trying some crab cakes. The girls loved every minute of our weekend!

Carsyn and Logan--getting along...

Logan couldn't wait to find shells...

Maren loved the sand...

The girls before church...

Sisters...

After dinner on the Boardwalk...

Carsyn posing...

Maren's first trip to the Atlantic Ocean...

They love the beach...

What a blast...

Fenwick Island Lighthouse...

Capitol Tour...

Yesterday the girls had off school for a teacher work day, so we scheduled a tour of the United States Capitol with our Congressman's office. They gear the tour toward older children and adults, but the girls did really well. It was a little drizzly out and pretty chilly, so we didn't go anywhere else downtown. But, we were happy the girls were able to experience one of the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world.

The girls on the East side of the Capitol...

Logan in front of the U.S. Supreme Court...

Carsyn at the entrance to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office...

Maren wanted to go on a self-guided tour...

The girls in the Crypt, standing on the center of the District...

Check Her Out!

Our favorite shutterbug, Priscilla, has recently updated her website...including a picture of one of our princesses, Carsyn! Check it out!!! (Click on the link, and then select "site.") We highly recommend her for any of your photography needs--she even travels!

Green Eggs and Ham...

Carsyn's class continued their celebration of Dr. Seuss books with a special serving of green eggs and ham. Surprisingly most of the children tried and even liked the dish. Carsyn is not a big egg-eater anyway, but she did try it. She also ate a lot of her ham. Always a fun day in Pre-K!

Carsyn wasn't too sure about this stuff at first...

Back at home modeling her new favorite outfit...

D.C. and Baltimore...

When the weather forecast called for 70 degrees this weekend, the pressure was to make the most of it. So, Saturday after gymnastics, Mommy took the girls to the park near our house. They had such a nice time playing together. It was great to see them all getting along so well--they've been known to have a fight or two ; )

Maren loves to swing...

Sweet Sisters...

Then after Daddy got home from work, we headed downtown for some more outdoor fun. The girls had a blast playing out on the National Mall. It was such a beautiful day. You could tell that it was the first nice day in a long time because it was more crowded than a typical Saturday. Talk about a great backdrop for playing tag, tossing a frisbee, and practicing cart wheels.

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

The girls with the White House in the background...

This morning, after 9 o'clock mass (yes, we made it that early even with the loss of an hour of sleep) we drove up to Baltimore. This was our first time visiting the National Aquarium. The girls loved it. We knew they would enjoy it because they always loved going to the one in Monterey, but their excitement and enthusiasm today was unforgettable. Carsyn was very interested in learning the names of EVERY fish, frog, and shark. Maren especially loved the dolphin show. Logan's trip was complete with a trip to the gift store. We had a nice late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. Surprised we didn't go to C.P.K.? So were we. We had thought that there was one on the Harbour, but it recently closed. The food was very yummy, so we can't complain. After finishing up at the Aquarium, we walked over to Little Italy. We heard about his place with the "best" cannoli. So, we bought a box...to take home and freeze until after Easter. But, the girls got to enjoy delicious ice cream. We had a great time. Originally we had planned a quick trip up to the Big Apple this weekend, but Daddy got called into work for bit on Saturday. In the end it all worked out, and we had a terrific weekend!

Daddy and Maren looking at all the rays...

Logan has a BIG mouth...

Carsyn waiting for the dolphins...

Watching the dolphin show...

The girls on the Harbour...

Outside Vaccaro's enjoying yummy ice cream...

School is Cool...

The girls have had a fun and busy week at school. They have been celebrating the birthday of Ted Geisel, a.k.a. Dr. Seuss, by participating in lots of reading activities. Yesterday Logan got to dress up as her favorite literary character. She chose Nancy Drew. Carsyn's class had a pajama day and invited their 4th grade buddies down to read to them. Today after mass Mommy went to Logan's class to take their pictures in their Dr. Seuss hats. We are so lucky to have little girls who genuinely love learning. Hopefully Maren will share their passion for school!

Carsyn was "Star of the Week" last week,

but we weren't able to take the picture until this week...

Logan as Nancy Drew, she had a magnifying class too...

Carsyn in her pj's and puppy slippers...

Logan and her friends in their hats...

And, we don't want to leave out little Maren...

Playing in the snow...

The girls had a great time playing in all the snow today. They made a couple of big snow pile slides after we cleared off the driveway. It was a fun snow day, but hopefully school will be back in session tomorrow. Everything looked so beautiful, but I'm over it--bring on the warmer temps!

Little snow buddies...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

Maren helping Daddy shovel...

Sweet girls...

"In Like a Lion..."

Well, it looks like the weather people got it right. There's about six inches of snow on the ground, and no school! They actually already cancelled most of the area schools last night, with only about an inch of snow. So, after getting to sleep in a little, we woke up to a lot more than we had thought! I guess we'll have to break back out all the snow clothes. The girls, of course, are super-excited. Mommy (and Daddy, who actually has to go into work later) were hoping for more Spring-like weather. Oh well, hopefully March will go "out like a lamb!"

Saturday Night Special...

Yesterday afternoon we took the metro downtown to the National Museum of Natural History for their Orchid Family Festival. Logan and Carsyn enjoyed crafts and learning all about orchids. Unfortunately, Maren always falls asleep on the train and missed most of the festivities. But, she woke up in time to go exploring around the dinosaur and Africa exhibits. The girls loved it. They have really become big fans of the Smithsonian Institution. Afterward we took the metro up to DuPont Circle for dinner at Buca's...one of our favorites! It's always easy to over-eat there. I guess it makes up for the Ash Wednesday fasting. What a fun night!

Little artists...

Maren woke up just in time for the woolly mammoth...

The girls, hungry and ready to go eat...

Outside the museum...

We're stuffed...

Today we've been taking it easy. We are anxious to see whether or not we get the 4-8 inches of snow they're predicting for tonight. Could be another snow day tomorrow...check back tomorrow and see...