Free-run Easter egg "hunting"

Happy Easter! Just a few photos of our "Easter morning" celebrated on Saturday, due to an early departure of family tomorrow morning.  We had a little mini Easter egg... hunt... Actually it consisted more of Gabriel, Marion and I running around in our pjs outside like chickens, me planting Easter eggs, Marion snapping photos and Gabriel running through the mud with his moccasins holding a little basket, completely oblivious to the eggs.  Meanwhile, Jordan and his dad, lattes in hand, laughed at the whole show.

Gabriel opened his card, and shook around the little bird with sparkles, ate a couple of half eggs and we had a lovely Easter brunch.  For us, it's ok that Gabriel didn't quite get the whole Easter Egg hunt thing, it's just fun.  And not really what Easter is really about anyway.

Happy Easter!

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Easter Weekend: Bowties, toddlers and white linen

We got back from a gorgeous day in Georgetown and I am totally wiped out tonight.  Perhaps this exhaustion comes from the many adventures we have had this past week and not many hours of sleep.  Or maybe it's the fact that Gabriel is pushing through three teeth, is sick, not getting his regular quota of sleep and just had four vaccinations--two in each leg.  My poor little guy.  He's been a trooper!  And really, not making much of a fuss, considering. 

Today we went to The Paper Moon, a beautiful Italian restaurant in Georgetown, tabled with white linens and serving wine.  Normally, our criteria for dining out involves a naturally louder atmosphere and wooden table tops (Pubs are always excellent!)--something about not having to worry about any excessive noise making Gabriel might make or the pulling, messing and general destruction that might be caused to crisp white linens.

Why we did this after the busy and a little bit of a fussy week we've had?  Well, we wanted to treat ourselves just a little bit.  While we were there, Gabriel wanted so badly to feed himself.  I could tell he was just barely holding it together and we ended up having to go for a few walks.  Pretty tough being a tired/teething/sick/sore toddler....  The woman beside us had parked her beautiful white Prada/Gucci cashmere and rabbit fur collars coat a mere three feet away on the back of a chair.  All I could picture was Gabriel's red pasta sauced cannelloni flying through the air and landing on that coat.  And I am pretty sure those tablecloths will need some serious bleaching.  Agad.

But they treated us so well there and were very accommodating.  And understanding.  Thank goodness.  Fortunately a woman had brought her dog and was parked outside on the patio.  This provided an excellent distraction and allowed us a few more moments to talk.  Needless to say, it might be a little while before we choose to eat at a quiet restaurant with white linens....

Probably helped that our little GQ boy was rockin' his Easter bowtie. :)  

Happy Easter!

*I would just like to mention a special thanks to Marion, my husband's stepmother, who took some of these lovely, lovely photos!

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Celebrations all around!

More family arrived on Wednesday!   Gabriel warmed right up to his Grandpa, engaging him in his Noah's ark toy.  Thursday, we swung down to Old Town Alexandria to show off more of our beautiful city.  Couldn't help but wander through the artsy Torpedo Factory again.  And had lunch at our favorite--Pain Quotidien.  I love this place!!  Lots of light and delicious organic food and large communal table. Gabriel brought a bunch of little books to keep himself entertained.  I have to say that I am LOVING this book fascination faze.  At home, if the house falls silent, I jump up only to find him sitting reading his books.  Ah!  You could just squish him! 

We walked around all over Old Town picking up goodies--beautiful cheeses, olives, crackers from delicious La Fromagerie, a cute little birthday cake and some fun little Spring/Easter/Birthday flats.  And in the evening, we celebrated a very late birthday for Marion and a very early birthday for me with a little chocolate mousse Easter Cake from Le Pain Quotidien. Yay! for joint birthdays!  And family that travels half the country just to come and be with us.

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While we wait for the Cherry Blossoms, the Magnolias are fantastic.

On Wednesday, Marion, Gabriel and I drove downtown to see how the cherry blossoms were getting on.  Much to our surprise, despite the fact we have cherry blossoms in Arlington, there was not one tree to be spotted.  However, we did see some beautiful magnolias on our way to the National Museum of the American Indian.

Had some amazing food, once again at the Mitsitam Cafe, one of my favorite Smithsonian cafeterias and yes, I have tried out all of them!  We wandered around and between Marion and I worked to corral Gabriel as he tore through the exhibits at rapid speed, giving hugs to other random kiddlets.  This little kid is so full of love!  Admittedly, it was entertaining but also a little chaotic.  We are torn between letting Gabriel stretch his legs and somehow keeping him from running full-speed in any direction.  But we are glad we made it back to the NMAI.  It's definitely one of my favorite of the Smithsonians.

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Noise-making and other lessons in the art of music.

Guess who showed up and brought a little something magical?  Grandma Davey, the music teacher, brought along two recorders--one to show Gabriel and one for Gabriel to play.  So he's been walking around chewing on the end of the recorder and finally realizing how to make noise with it.  Naturally, it's all driving Abe, who loves to "sing to the music," crazy and a little bit jealous of all the attention Gabriel has been getting.  We try to put them out of reach for a break, but now that Gabriel can reach stuff on the countertops to take stuff off AND put toys on the counters, it's a little tricky.  Regardless, it's all been quite entertaining.

It's amazing to me how quickly he warms up to his grandparents, even if it's been a long time since he's seen them (in little boy time).  Grandpa arrives tomorrow! Hooray!

Our weekend with the airplanes.

Spent this weekend somewhat quietly with the boys--long dog walks and pancakes.  (By the way, if you want the best pancake recipe, check here for my all-time favorite pancakes, smothered in blueberries and lemon mascarpone on top).   

Also did a little bit of exploring in Chantilly, Va where we stopped in to see "one the top 100 craft shows in the Nation."  Unfortunately we weren't able to take any pictures but did stumble across the most adorable future little guitar for Gabriel among a few other beautiful items.  Sort of reminded me of the One of a Kind Shows in Toronto and Vancouver in that they host a variety of local exhibitors; however, the OOAKS in Vancouver and Toronto are amazing.  So if you are ever in either of these cities, especially around the first of December, you simply have to go.  It's where we do most of our Christmas shopping.

We did make it to the Air & Space Museum at the Dulles airport, FINALLY!  A whole hanger FULL of planes is a little boy's dream.  Or maybe his dad's.  Gabriel was intent on "chasing" the planes that flew overhead as we arrived in the parking lot.  And was glued to the engine display.  And Jordan, somewhat addicted to the history channel and who seems to know a lot about airplanes, was our personal tour guide, offering bits of information about various aircraft.  And I am not making fun, because I am seriously in awe of how much he knows! 

Highlights: we got to see the Discovery Space Shuttle and the Canada Arm.

Here is the Enola Gay, the plane was used in the bombing of Hiroshima. :(

The SR-71 Blackbird.  Check out the aerodynmaics of this plane!  Gorgeous!

Seriously worth it to check out this place, especially for any parent with a child who loves engines.  These days, I am learning a lot about "boy stuff," admittedly.  Scissors-lift, cherry-picker, prop plane, biplane, excavator, backhoe.  Yes, I know what they are and the sound they make.  And I also know that we are going to be spending a lot of hours in our future just watching the trucks go by.  And lovin' it!