Monday, June 29, 2009

Candy Cane City - a Horse Paradise


On Sunday, Tracy and Marta took Gabi and Rania to visit some special citizens of Chevy Chase, Maryland - the horses at Meadowbrook Stables. The horses were out of the stables, and made fast friends with the girls, following them around the paddocks and angling for a pat, or some grass (which Gabi considerately pulled and fed them until a stable worker put an end to that).

(Specifically, Gabi kept pulling more and more grass up for all of the horses in the whole pen. She was running around the pen feeding them until the stable worker yelled at her, saying "Don't feed the horses girls" (rania too). Then a minute later Gabi was feeding them again, and she yelled "I said, don't feed them!' Gabi: "Oh, I forgot." ( yeah right). So the stable worker said "Well, don't forget." It was pretty funny. The stable worker later told us that it makes the horses more aggressive, that's why you can't feed them. But it was fun while it lasted! Marta had gone to get the car, so this is an inserted detail by Tracy.) Fun times.



Dance Night

After being inspired by the boys, we had a dance performance before bed. Quite the acts!

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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Into the City



We had a wonderful Saturday trip into the city. We visited the newly remodeled Museum of American History. Seeing the massive "banner" that inspired The Star Spangled Banner was a highlight -- as well as letting the kids play a bit in some of the exhibits.

Due to a bunch of festivals around town, we aborted our trip to Chinatown in order and ended up at a food court -- where we stumbled across the Old Postal Office -- with a spectacular (and free) visit to the 12th floor tower -- where we found a great view of DC.


Council of the Third-borns


Alas, the grandparents have been very curious as to the interactions of the third-borns. So we dedicate this post to grandpa & grandma. Tasha immediately herded the kids into her domain, beginning a rousing series of Candyland adventures.


There has been some bossing of each other, but the little ones have greatly enjoyed interacting with each other, and there have been plenty of adventures -- and fun times.

Quite cute!

Playing at the Park


Mark and Marta had a big delivery of a new refrigerator and new dish washing machine -- so we took the kids to the Wheaton Regional Park. What a great park. There was a huge slide - and Rania was initially hesitant, but after one time down with her daddy, she was hooked. She spent maybe 15-20 times going down the slide, running back up to the top, and down again -- over and over.


The other kids had lots of fun playing on the tire swing and many of the other slides, ropes, bars and cool things that were there.

Panorama View

Check out this short panorama to see the glorious day at Aunt Marcia's.

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Aunt Marcia's Condo




We had the absolutely picture perfect day at Aunt Marcia's Condo. We set off, and the cousins had an absolutely great time together. A bit of time in Lake Erie, and we certainly enjoyed seeing the place where we spent most of our honeymoon some ten summers ago.


There were fun toys that some neighbors had, and the kids had lots of fun in the pool.


Many, many thanks to Aunt Marcia for the wonderful day!

We also tried taking a family shot -- with limited success.

Fun by the Pond


One of the great highlights of staying with Tracy's family is the little pond behind their house. It is so wonderful to have grandpa there, playing with the kids, showing them how to feed the fish, and of course, the adventures of wild rabbit! Rania has greatly enjoyed feeding the fish, and it is such a blessing to have grandpa interacting with our kids!

Fun at the Quockert Lake

This is a short video of our marvelous day at the Quockert Lake.

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