Monday, March 11, 2013

It's Official!!!






Big news around here these days!!  
It's official folks, Annaliese is no longer.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................wearing diapers!!!!!!!  Yipee!  After 6 years, we no longer have to change poopy and wet diapers.  She even wears underwear to bed at night, and has only had a couple of accidents.  This time, I made her potty-training a collaborative effort.  I decided early on that everyone would celebrate her success with a piece of candy each time she used her potty, so Vincent especially would encourage her very often to use the potty.  After a couple of days, she got it!  And now, with Annaliese's very independent mindset, along with her being a very capable little girl, my duties as a mother are decreasing.  She can even dress and undress herself with very little help (and of course she protests any kind of assistance).   I'm realizing how alarmingly fast these little people are growing up....it's a mite sad.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Elliot in the DNR

Snow Feature

(3/7/13) - (Harrisonburg) Elliot Rhodes, 6, sizes up a snow jump taller than himself on Thursday behind Waterman Elementary School. Rockingham and surrounding counties are still recovering from Wednesday's storm, which dumped anywhere from 15-20 inches and knocked out power to about 15,000 people. (Jason Lenhart/Daily News-Record) Daily News-Record

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Vincent

Today, Vincent said this to me:  "I love giving you kisses."
MMMmmmmpwahhhhhh.  I love you Vincent James.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

So perfectly worded...


“Motherhood is raw and pure. It is fierce and gentle. It is up and down. It is magic and madness. Single days last forever and years fly by…Be gentle with yourself as you travel, dear mother. Don’t miss the scenery. Don’t miss conversation with your traveling companions. Laugh at the bumps and say ‘ooh, aah!’ on the hairpin turns. Buckle your seat belt. You’re a mom!”
–Aviva Jill Romm

Washington DC



Some favorites from our time in DC over Elliot's birthday...

She loves to be independent...riding the metro from Alexandria into DC.  

My traveling companion.

Lunchtime at the zoo, watching the lions.




"Lost Pacifier" pop art.

I LOVE him!  My 6 year old.

Annaliese and I enjoying a ride on the big carousel.  The zoo had very few people in on this mostly cloudy cold day, which was perfect for us!  

Sea life.

Beautiful sea life continued.


Goofy guy in the butterfly pavilion!

Looking at...

...this cool creature!  "Hi!"

After a night at a motel in Alexandria, where we had fun swimming in the indoor pool at 10 o'clock at night and then coming back to our room to watch a show on The Animal Planet, we went back to DC in the morning to visit the Smithsonian museums.  Here we are at the Air & Space Museum.  

Want to ride with her as your pilot?  I do!

I love these people!  Here we are, at the end of the day, at the metro.  I think riding the metro and escalators were on the top of the kids list of favorite experiences in the city!



We all had a great time.  A perfect way to celebrate Elliot turning 6, and a perfect way to end the 2 week "vacation" Martin had between jobs.