Warm winter days

Visit to a Manassas mulch pile. Who knew mulch could be so much fun?

David, it seems, is officially a playmate.

I am beyond grateful for this mild winter. Snow and ice usually mean power outages in this neighborhood, which would not be convenient for many reasons, among which are my being ready to give birth. Hope everyone is able to get out and enjoy these warm winter days!

Lola's visit

We had a fun weekend with Lola, though too short!

Lola always brings gifts. Frankie got an adorable matching dress set for herself and her doll.

And this is what we do when it rains and Lola's not here.

We miss her!

Ice skating

We've watched ice skating competitions on TV recently, giving us the idea of hitting up Reston Town Center's ice rink. It was hopping today... everyone getting their physical activity in before the football craze perhaps. It was impressive how quickly Frankie became comfortable setting out on her own in the middle of the rink. She seems to have made a friend at the end of this clip.

Valentine nymph

I've caught a Valentine fairy peeking in our windows...

...and sneaking helter-skelter around the yard.

Valentine's Day must be around the corner.

Time for formal catechesis?

In the car on the way to Mass:

Teresa: "Mommy, what is Jesus going to say today?"

Me: "Um, well, you mean what is the priest going to say today?" (sometimes Teresa gets Jesus and the priest confused, e.g., "Jesus is wearing green today!")

Teresa: "No, I mean what is Jesus going to say?"

Frankie: "Teresa," (chuckling at her little sister's simplicity) "Jesus isn't going to say anything. He's a statue!"

Whereupon I found myself knee-deep in the Incarnation, the Trinity, the Eucharist...and realizing I need to read a little about introducing a 4 year old to the basic tenets of the faith (Teresa interrupted my exhortation: "Mommy, I smell bubble gum.") Any recommendations on resources?

Belated birthday post

We celebrated Dave's birthday a few days early knowing he'd be on a plane to Singapore on the real day. After mulling over the birthday cake options (Frankie: "Just don't make that cake with cheese in it this time"), Dave chose something a little surprising: red velvet cake.

I've always harbored a little bitterness toward red velvet cake, to be frank. The scarlet confection screams "I've got flavor" and doesn't deliver. I can't say my opinion improved as I ran down the ingredients list. Two and a half little bottles of red food coloring?!

I didn't have enough, and the cake perhaps did lean more toward pink than red, but the end result was adequate. We agreed the cream cheese frosting was the highlight. I'm expecting this cake will be a been-there, done-that thing on birthdays to come.

I guess that extra bottle of food coloring does make the cake look more burgundy...

The infamous armadillo cake from Steel Magnolias

Happy birthday Love!

Christmas 2011

David Jr.'s first tie!

Getting ready for Mass on Christmas Eve.

Highlight of Christmas morning for David: a goldfish container filled with aforementioned crackers.

Dave's cousin Ailea in the Philippines sent Frankie and Teresa beautiful dresses, scarves and sandals.

Then on to Grandmommy and Pop-pop's house for delicious meals, presents and family fun.

Hope everyone is enjoying a Merry Christmas!