D.C. trouper

Every now and again, it's fun to just spend time with one of the girls. This morning, it was Daddy-Miriam time, and they went down to the Mall (capital "M") to visit the Natural History Museum. It was blustery and cold, but Miri was a trouper in her puffy yellow jacket and Nats hat. Daddy doesn't like to admit it, but she's a darn cute one too.

Descending the Stairway...

...to Daddy. Yes, Robin has learned to go down stairs backwards. Go Robin! Check it out.

Little Kids in the Big Apple

We had a jam packed couple of days in New York City. Daddy was at a conference, Mommy taught a class, and the girls partied in the city. Highlights...

On the train to visit Mimi and Popeye (Chris' aunt and uncle), bagel from Grand Central Station in hand. How NYC can you get?Popeye and the "green, shiny" New Orleans necklace.Robin with Mimi in the car. We had a great visit even though it was short! Robin ponders the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum -- Miri's passed out in front of her. Too much excitement. At dinner with Aunt Laura.

A tired Robin at FAO Schwartz. She loved the books and stuffed animals, while Miri loved the Lego people and the remote control cars.

Pizza for breakfast in the hotel while reading her new book--a Hanukkah present from Grandma Jean and PopPop Hanging with Tyler and Ethan Suwankosai in Brooklyn. They are two precocious boys!

Miri's Chair

We built Miri a birthday chair to go along with her pre-school table. She insisted on painting it brown (her favorite color, but a bit too grown-up for a chair!), so we splashed some sunshine on the seat. A big thank you to the Quigleys for leading us to a great web site that has all kinds of do-it-yourself plans.

Rock & Roll All Night...

Oh, the wonders of the singing birthday card...KISS never looked so good!

Birthday Girl

Miriam's third birthday was last weekend. We feel like in some ways it is her first real birthday since this was the first year she has realized what a birthday entails: that's right folks cake, ice cream, balloons and some party hats. Oh, and don't forget the presents. We had a great group of family join us: Nana, Aunt Vida, Cousin Pearce, Gogy (Aunt Vida's mom and the photographer), Aunt Debbie and Cousins Ilana, Gabe and Tamara. Miriam Skyped with Grandma Jean and PopPop earlier in the day.
Miri and Cousin Pearce chow down on birthday pizza. Also on the menu, tofu and broccoli (Miriam's request), pumpkin dip, fruit and chocolate cake with pink frosting and chocolate ice cream.
Cousin Tamara checks out the birthday balloons with Robin and Miriam. Great idea Aunt Debbie! Miriam is still playing with them.
Miriam is serious about playing with some of her birthday loot. She has been enjoying all of her new presents. As a special treat, Daddy made Miriam her very own chair (pictures to come) painted brown as per her request.
Family picture. Yes, Miri looks awful. Every picture we tried with her on that day looked awful. But, her parents look great. That counts for something, right?

Miri's Post

Mommy let Miri pick her favorite recent pictures to post. Here they are with her commentary.

"At the farmer's market" with Cousin Pearce. "That's fun."

"We're doing hugs. Me and Daddy."

"I love that picture. Miriam and Robin. We're taking a bath. "