And then you have the whole debate over the types of toys and creative play. Should toys be functional and purposeful (Montessori) or should toys be whatever is available and made up (Waldorf)? What about the value of the good ol' Fisher Price Peoples (the barn is a current favorite of E.'s)?

Here, we have a pretty good collection of toys and activities that span the different schools of thought and, simply, bring joy to A. and E. We currently LOVE the cutting book - in spite of A.'s recent cutting escapades - that dear friend E. gave A. And you know we love dress-up and painting. We rotate toys and activities (e.g., coloring, painting, sticker-ing), too - not leaving an abundance out at any one time and instead exchanging the toys to avoid boredom or feelings of indifference (they're not usually in buckets; only when a mass-disinfection is required).

Soon we'll find out where A. will be attending preschool and that may very well impact how we do things at home. Or, at least shape our views and guide some of our activity-related decisions. We've applied to a Waldorf school (television is a big no-no; imagination - not imitation - is a big yes, yes), we're first on the waiting list for an Reggio Emilia cooperative pre-school (very much arts and nature-based),  and I'm totally in love with one in-the-woods program - all programs offering things that I feel I don't offer enough of on a daily basis. What all the schools have in common, though, is the fact that they're play-based. So the moral of the story: maybe I worry too much and, really, all that matters is play + busy little hands = important. Period. Our style and preference are fluid and will take shape over time. So, to be continued!

After A. played on our patio making rock-pie and what not and after E. finished her edamame snack while watching A. . . 

. . . we loaded up the wagon and set off for a ride to somewhere, anywhere (though, admittedly, I probably over-extended myself given my own cold, but after weighing the costs and benefits, the fresh air won over the dizzying effects of the walk!).

We landed at a nearby park where the girls worked out their pent-up energy. And along the way, we took pictures of 6 or so trees. A. chose the trees we photographed. And I told her that come Spring, Summer, and Fall, that we would photograph the same trees and look at how the trees change over the seasons. Fun, right? (So not my idea; I found it while scouring ideas for outdoor activities.)

As of Saturday, A. seems the most recovered. E. is now fever-less and hive-less (yes, her fever included some hives, dear girl). And M. has ordered me to bed by 9PM (um, it's 9:43 - I'm on my way. But this behind-the-counter decongestant is awesome. I feel new!). Be well, everyone. Get your fresh air, wash your hands, and do not touch your face (or, as in my girls' case, do not suck your thumb. Or else).

I LOVE this kind of stuff! (Ask anyone who knows me - pouring over pictures, notes, family histories is one of my favorite past times.) What fun we had going through these things that were some 15 or 20+ years old! (And, oh, how quickly time has flown!). There were high school senior pictures and, humorously (er, embarassingly), mine to M. read: "True to your sun sign, you are 'amiable', 'inventive', and 'intelligent'. You have a wonderful personality - I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I enjoy talking to you very much. Thank you for being such a gentlemen at homecoming [he was my assigned escort for the homecoming court] - you were the perfect escort! I am positive that you will go very far in life. Good luck! - CT, Virgo." (For those of you who don't know, M. and I know each other from high school but did not begin dating until after our 10-year reunion) . . . 

The girls, for their part loved climbing all over the boxes (fun for all, right?!). Add to that, stacks of correspondence between friends before the days of free-long distance calling, cell phones, e-mails, and Skype. It made me, for one, awfully nostalgic. For M., he contacted a few close friends to laugh over his discoveries. We've enjoyed this treasure hunt and what a hoot it will be to show our kids these keepsakes in the years to come.

We kick-started M.'s birthday *week* with a Saturday date (no kids!), enjoying dinner at a neighborhood restaurant, Jackson 20 and slowly ambling over to the Fontaine Caffe & Creperie for dessert wine and crepes. And I can't leave out the romantic trip to Wal-Mart for a jug of soap and a bottle of Tilex. A movie was our other option, but we decided we were unlikely to stay awake for an entire film (SAD, I know!). 

The festivities continued the next day when Uncle R. joined us for dinner and dessert. We filled up on Vietnamese food at the Viet House and returned home for a cupcake jubilee and card-opening cermony (Uncle R. topped all gift-givers by treating M. to Fall '12 Boston Red Sox/Baltimore Orioles tix). 

The party wasn't over yet. The next day, I braved some Old Town birthday shopping with both girls in tow. I can run an errand or two with these ladies, but carefully shopping for our dear M.? We could do it. We had to do it. And so that night, we polished off some more cupcakes and treated Papa to the gifts we found - with very special thanks to a seriously helpful sales associate and two seriously cooperative girls - for him.

Finally, the big day arrived. We kept things simple, making one of M.'s favorite dinners and finishing off what remained of the cupcakes. And that night concluded our four-day celebration of our dear M.'s birthday. Happy Birthday, M.! We love celebrating you - for whatever reason - and thank you for everything you do, every day, all the time.

A., for her part, couldn't wait to make her entrance. From the moment she woke up on the day of the party she asked, "are we going to G.'s party?" Plus, she couldn't wait to give the gifts she carefully selected for G.: a wooden flamingo, a wooden hedgehog, and the most lovely deep purple hair bow.

Even after the party, when she woke from a long nap, A. asked, "can we go to G.'s party?" To which I replied, "we were already there. Remember the pink cake? The craft project?" Recalling the great fun, A. appropriately responded, "may I go to G.'s party again?"

I'd say we played for a good hour. A. desperately wanted to climb a tree. E. was thrilled to push around her wooden cart, especially with sister A. riding in it (what a way to wear a little one out, right?!). Both girls loved squeezing the dirt between their fingers and crawled on the ground until their little knees were pink and almost bruised (ouch!). You know, this "winter" isn't so bad after all, is it?! (Oh, and yes. The girls took magnificent naps afterwards!).

(If A. looks really tired in the above picture, she probably was. It was after a crazy-fun morning of school, which ncluded some lessons in color theory (ha! so funny to me!) and a walk to and fro. Our girl was ready to N-A-P!)

A. constantly asks to help - around the house, e.g., laundry, cooking, cleaning (this girl is totally getting a broom for her 3rd birthday!) and helping with E. The other day she asked, "may I wipe E.'s face?" Sure, why not. If E. will let you, I won't object.

It went alright. Look at E. - squeaky clean and no tears. Just a little disagreement over the duration of face-wiping . . . And today, during a fun Korean BBQ lunch with dear friends the J. family, A. discovered a new use for E. - covering her with stickers (if only I had photographed this!). The older E. gets, the more fun these two are having (and, admittedly, the more toy-conflicts there are, but nothing too unusual or difficult to mediate). Just wait until E. walks and can keep up with A.!

During those times when I need to *breath* and take a moment from parenting, I will strap the kiddos in the car and drive the GW Parkway. It's serene, tree-lined, and follows the Potomac River. And while it's quite close to the city, it's free of the beltway traffic and hustle and bustle of busy intersections. A. refers to our drive as one in the "forest" and likes to pretend we're out-running the "river monster". Why, all those times, we didn't visit Mt. Vernon, just 8 miles from our home - well, I'm not sure!

But this time around, we not only visited, but we plunked down a well-worth-it $25 for an annual pass. Now, during one of my "time-outs", I can reward the girls (and myself!) for their understanding and treat them to a visit to President Washington's farm (minus the normally $15 entrance fee, which is steep for these parts where it's common to not pay to visit history!). Thank you, Mt. Vernon, for being our saving grace when needed!

A. kindly invited me to assist her while she mended her jewelry. I handled the yellow beads; she, the paper beads. All the while, she sang the song to one of her favorite shows: "What's gonna work, TEAMWORK! wHAT'S GONNA WORK, TEAMWORK!"And, all the while, little sister watched enviously, wanting to help big sister do her big-sisterly things.

Soon, E.! Soon! (Too soon, if you ask me. You're growing too fast!). As for A., her hardwork (and our teamwork) paid off: the bracelet was repaired and back on our girl's wrist in now time.

Still snuggled in her sleep-sack (I always worry she'll be cold while sleeping. I layer her clothing, have her sleep on an insulating lambswool mattress cover, and tuck her into this zippered fleece blanket!), E. and I enjoyed our quiet time, cheek to cheek. I'm happy Papa M. snapped these photos. Pretty soon, our girl won't be so tiny! But hopefully she'll always be this holdable!