Amity's Art

Let it not be said that 15 month olds cannot do art. They can! Well, it's really messy and requires a fair amount of parental interventon/co-creation. But ya know, still art!

Spring Concert

Zara had a 'speaking part' in this year's spring concert. She was very proud and of course did a wonderful job. Kid's a natural on stage. Here's the entire Kindergarten presentation condensed to about a minute and a half. Enjoy!

To the Disco Room!

Props to anyone who knows the title reference of this post. And to everyone else, go see the movie anyway. It's super funny. As to the picture, I consider this part of the "future album cover" series.

First Recital

Zara (she's the one in the khaki skirt) and her posse of 5 year olds performing a jig for the BRIMS winter concert. They were the surprise hit of the show. Not bad for her first recital!

Marmee-Grandma-Dada Dress

This dress, which Zara adores, was a joint familial undertaking. The fabric (Liberty of London) was acquired by Marmee. The pattern comes from Grandma's sizable pattern library. The craftsmanship is all Dada. And of course, we all know who the beautiful model is.

Art Class

Amity's taking an art class geared at 1 and 2 year olds. She seems to be enjoying the "art" part of it so-so (there's a gymnastics class next door i think she'd rather join...), but she LOVES to play in the soapy water at clean up time.

Playtime at the Beach

It might be cold, but that doesn't stop us from having beach fun! Amity was particularly enamored of the waves. She is fearless! (where fearless = she really likes water and the fact that the ocean is salty and freezing and full of things like tides and currents does not phase her in the least)

Surrey, no Fringe

We rented a "surrey" aka a bike built for 4, where 2 are really small and the other 2 people pedal. We biked up and down the "board" (aka concrete) walk, while Amity and later Zara waved at every passer-by. Good times!

First Landing

Zara and Amity appreciating the monument to the "first landing" of the British here in the US (well, when they founded Jamestown). Zara's reading the plaque while Amity explores the area on foot. As they say, to each within their means.

Zara of the Waves

The last time we took Zara to the ocean she wasn't quite 3. While it was a bit too cold to really swim, she enjoyed it just the same. We'll definitely get back before she's 8.

Strolling

We just got back from Virginia Beach (we finally made it!)... and will have many fabulous pictures to post soon. But in the meantime, here's a snap of the sisters strolling...

Chillaxin'

Zara's chillaxin after breakfast at the indoor garden at our hotel in VA Beach. Amity's taking off to explore some plants, or some stairs, or something, because the kiddo does not sit still these days.

King Neptune's Octopus

After nearly 5 years in C'ville, we finally made the comparatively short (3ish hours and a bit) trek to Virginia Beach. There's a pretty large statue of King Neptune around 31st Street right on the boardwalk. Which is made of cement. But never mind, as the statue is so big we couldn't possibly get a really good picture of it up close. So instead, we present to you, the octopus of King Neptune. No, that is not a euphemism.

Virginia Beach Aquarium

Our first day in Virginia Beach was a bit on the rainy and windy side, so we spent the afternoon at the Aquarium. It was fantastic! Zara seemed to get a ton out of it, and Amity really enjoyed looking at the fish, the turtles (she really liked the turtles), running all around, etc. There's even Komodo Dragons! And a crocodile! Sadly we didn't make it to the 2nd building (where the river otters are, among other creatures, and I'm bummed to have missed that!) so we'll have to go back again. That is, assuming that shark spits Zara back out!

Mitzvah Mania!

Zara's been taking part in Mitzvah Mania at Hebrew school, and one of the categories is "Kindness to Animals." Zara decided she'd perform a mitzvah for the dogs at Service Dogs of VA, since we've worked with them before (the residencies of both Polar and Coda were courtesy of our work with them). We are not currently housing or training a pup, so Z thought she'd like to take on her own service dog work. Here she and Wes are working with the extremely adorable Robin. They are teaching him where he should be positioned (in regards to a client child, played by Z here) for Autism work.

Swinging into Spring

We spend a lot of time on swings. Also, the weather here in C'ville? It's awesome!

Humpback Rocks, revisited again

Zara says we should make this trek yearly. It's a relatively short hike, and the view is incredible, as is the sense of accomplishment. Z's now made it up and back all by herself twice now. I imagine the next time we go Amity will walk a bit of it. In the meantime, she seems pretty comfy on Wes' back.

Happy 14 month Birthday, Amity!

13 month birthday was celebrated with cantaloupe, so here's a shot of Amity gnawing on an apple. Looks like she's going to need to learn to accept some hair clips or we're going to have to trim her bangs....

Wacky Hijinx!

The girls are both brushing my hair. Somewhat successfully. Good thing I cut it so there's a lot less to brush! Also, Amity's newest hat. Anything goes as a hat around here these days.