Bathtime Approaches

We're returning from Lydia's first Russian Scout Camp. This photo is
from a few weeks ago but I wanted to post it in anticipation of the
massive bubble-bath that she's going to get when we get home. She/we
are happily camp-filthy. What an awesome time.

Actual camp pictures are forthcoming.

I just found this in my pants!

I felt a pinch and rolled up my pants leg and there he was. Yes! I was
wearing the pants when I found him. And no, I have no idea where he
came from. Crazy.

The first-time camper prepares...

We bought Lydia her first sleeping bag a few weeks ago. It's child-size but still twice her height. Despite how it dwarfs her, she'll be using it at Russian Camp this weekend. She is very excited about it. So are we. The yearly summer ritual has begun for the next generation.

The first-time camper prepares...

We bought Lydia her first sleeping bag a few weeks ago. It's child-
size but still twice her he

Welcome Elsie Skye

Lydia Violet's newest BFF Rose, the beautiful baby daughter of our friends Jen and Casey, came barreling into this world yesterday with an equally beautiful name: Elsie Skye.

Yay, hummus!

Sent from my iPhone

Modern Art

First Watermellon

Hanging out with Deda in the background, eating watermellon.

Lunch

On a typical day I walk Lydia Violet to school and I carry the bag with her lunch and snacks. Today, she insisted that she carry my lunch bag. "A lunch for a lunch," if you will.

This photo took some sneakiness on my part. She didn't want to have her photo taken (bershan), so I tricked her. I set the camera up to where I wanted it, she kept turning her head away. Then we started walking. When I was ready and sure she had forgotten, I stopped, pointed and click. Since the phone's camera has a slight delay, it gave Lydia enough time to look up and start laughing. Foiled again!

Mohawk girl

Actually

Lydia talking to Djed and Dusia on the phone this morning.

College Dinner

Lydia Violet has her first bowl of cereal with milk, consumed with a spoon. She's getting to be a big girl.

Hat

This morning, on our way out the door, Lydia paused and said, "hat. Hat, hat, hat." Walked over to the winter drawer and pulled out one of her hats. Pushed the drawer back in, I helped. As I watched, she used both hands and quickly and easily put the hat on. Cute and a smarty-pants too boot.

Boogie Down Girl

Last week we met friends for dinner in Silver "Sprung." While Lydia and I waited for Dima in the car I let her sit in the front passenger seat and play with the radio. Once she figured out that she could control what music was playing by using the tuning buttons there was no stopping her.

Now tell me, doesn't this stance remind you of that crazy African dance that Patrick Dempsey did to impress the ladies at the school dance in "Can't Buy Me Love?"

President's Box at the Opera

We're at the Kennedy Center to see the Washington National Opera's dress rehersal for Turandot and we're sitting next to the President's box. No President, but cool just the same.

Budding Artist, Lydia V.

I got a new application for my iPhone called idoodle. True to its name, it lets you doodle. It also has an easy-to-use kid mode and Lydia drew this for me.

Bathing Beauty

Lydia loves a nice warm bubble bath. Ahhhhh...

Sent from my iPhone

Mothers' Day Pizza BBQ

Bob Appetit

Lydia the gourmet.

Humidity

Makes for healthy herbs and springy curls.