Make that a mud pie...

After a recent downpour, Mommy took the girls out for some puddle stomping. We happened upon a  photography class, and the students (all moms) went bananas over the girls playing in the mud. We got some great shots!

Scout

We went camping last week in Greenbelt National Park (ten minutes from our house -- a well-kept DC secret!), and Miri embraced a new nickname: "Scout." There were a bunch of Boy Scouts camping nearby and she asked who they were, so Daddy told her about scouting. "Scouts are kiddos who like camping and having fun outside," he said. "Like me!" Miri smiled.

 Climbing tree "bridges"

 Ready for a big jump

 Catalpa flowers on a straw

Watching deer across a meadow

Good-bye pollen

We are not very conscientious about keeping our vehicles clean, alas. But after a particularly pollen-y spring, even we had to admit that it was time for a car wash. It turned into a family adventure. The girls "helped" and by the end everything in the vicinity was sopping wet, including a stuffed monkey that got dunked in the bucket...

Quirky Miri

Miriam can be a quirky kiddo. You never know when she'll insist on sleeping in a box on top of her bunk bed or when she'll curl up with a book inside her sister's Metro train costume. She's also quite adept at turning her parents' words right back on them, as in:

Dad: Hold on tight to the bike, Miri!
(Miri smashes bike into Dad's shin, gashing his leg.)
Miri: Ooops!
Dad: Aaaaaaa!
Miri: Don't worry, it'll be okay. You'll be fine. I have lots of bruises -- see, I have more than you!

Reading on the Metro -- a DC tradition

Moms

We had an early Mother's Day visit from Grandma Jean last week, and the girls went bananas over her. She spent a full five days straight with them -- reading, swimming, eating, going to the park. It's taken them a few days to get over the fact that they won't see her again until August...

 Robin points out the intricacies of children's lit

 Farewell breakfast of bagels & lox

The Seager-Asch moms & girls

Our Park

The Phillies came to town, so Daddy and the girls had to help the Nationals put them (and their stinkin' fans) in their place during "Take Back Our Park" weekend. We took the Metro train (always a highlight), rode the escalator (Robin's favorite), had frozen custard ("Daddy, I'm sooooo happy!" Miri cooed as she enjoyed her custard shake), clambered on the handrails, played with Cousin Pearce, and sort of watched some baseball. Miri even got to run the bases after the game -- Robin was too freaked out by the massive presidents to step foot on the basepaths. Miri wound up being the last kid to go, so she got a presidential escort...

 The girls love their Nana (and their Nats!)

 Miri prepares for her assault on the bases.

 Escort by George, Tom, and the Nat Pack

After a long day, Robin's ready to take it home...

Two wheels

After about a year on the pedal-less Strider bike, Miri graduated to a "big girl" bike -- a two-wheeler with a basket for her cat. She had figured out the balance on the Strider, so she picked up the biking pretty quickly. Here she goes:

Goin' North

We took advantage of Mommy's conference in New York to steal a weekend with family and friends we don't see often enough. After a night of cold (40 degrees!) camping along the Chesapeake, we visited Aunt Laura and Cousin Jonathan in Manhattan and Aunt Michelle in Rye, as well as the Suwankosais in Brooklyn. The girls were troupers!

 The Asch girls at sunset.

Miri & Mimi