Epiphany Play

The cute quotient was off the scale yesterday at St John’s Preschool, where the twins were in the Epiphany play. We actually went to two, since Tessa and Adam, in separate classes, were also in separate plays. Tessa, my angel, was an angel. Adam was a shepherd, complete with stuffed lamb. They both did great!

Blizzard

No place to go today, thank goodness. The twins are watching "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" for the first time. Guess we should have brought in their tricycles though....

Girl's stuff

The Missus and I have tried not to be sexist while raising the twins. I think nature trumps nurture though.

The twins and I were in the local Target (tar-zhay) the other day. They ran, of course, directly to the toy aisles. I didn't want them running around, so I told them to stay with me and we would go look through each aisle.

We got to an aisle full of Matchbox cars and other automotive toys. "This is stuff that Adam likes, Daddy," said Tessa.

When we got to an aisle of Barbies, Adam wrinkled his nose and said in a four-year-old voice of disgust: "Daddy, this is girl's stuff!"

Halloween 2009

The twins had a great time last night. A little hesitant to go up to other people's front door at first, they soon warmed up to the idea that candy was their reward. They scored a lot of candy...Daddy might have to help them eat it!

Good Eye

These are a couple of the pictures that Adam took with my old camera. He's got a good eye!

Junior Photographers

Santa brought Adam and Tessa little digital cameras last Christmas, but they didn't work so well. Lately I've been letting them play with my old camera, and they have been taking a ton of pictures, Adam more than Tess.

Both of them have taken some really nice pictures. Adam took one that is probably as good as or better than any I've taken. I'm torn between pride in my son, and sorrow at my own lack of skill. I'll post some of them in a bit.

It is really interesting to see the world from the viewpoint of a four-year-old. You get a lot of pictures taken right at belly level, which is not the most flattering for their dad. I won't be posting any of those pictures! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm heading for the gym....

Not a model

Tessa usually gives her old man, a wannabe photographer, a nice pose. Not the boy.

Bluemont Fair

In mid-September, we drove west towards a little town called Bluemont to go to their annual fair. It was a lot of fun, though the sun was hot and the lines were long, but we did get to have some funnel cake. Yum!

The line for the balloon animals was especially long. Yours truly bailed out to take pictures, leaving the Missus standing guard. Not the most chivalrous moment, but the Missus was a trooper, and I got some nice pictures, including this one of Tess getting her balloon pony from Mr. B.

Twins and Frog

Busy October

First there was a big trip at work, where I got to present to our customer. Took a lot of time to prepare for it too. Now, I'm finally, hopefully getting over some bug that laid me low for a week.

I have a lot of pictures in the backlog. Stay tuned.

Early Halloween

I was greeted by Adam the Knight when I came home tonight. The Missus bought his Halloween costume early this year. Tessa was dressed in some beautiful Chinese pajamas. Not exactly sure if that's her Halloween costume or not, but I don't want to spoil the surprise.

Wonder if they'll take them off any time before the end of October?

Air and Space

We're lucky to live pretty close to the Dulles annex of the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum. We take the twins there every so often, because they find it interesting, there's a lot of room to move around in, and it has a McDonald's. What more could you ask for?

The Missus and I like it because it keeps the twins entertained for a little while, and we can get some exercise as we walk around.

The kids are suitably impressed when I tell them that this plane or that was built by the company I work for. They are less impressed when I confess that, no, Daddy doesn't actually build airplanes.

It's even better now that they aren't afraid of the "shark airplane," the Flying Tigers P-40 that greets visitors to the museum. They both used to cry when they saw that. Now, they assure me, "It's just paint, Daddy!"

It's just paint.

Fireworks

This was the first year that we took the twins to see the Fourth of July fireworks in Leesburg. They had a great time, starting with a lot of running around.

Adam was fascinated by the fireworks. He started walking toward the edge of the park we were in to get closer. The Missus and I yelled for him to come back to us. He did come back, walking backwards the whole way, so he wouldn't miss any "booming."

I enjoyed the show too, but always had one eye on the crowded parking lot. I hate getting stuck in traffic! Fortunately, the ride home was quick and painless.

Tessa was happy that she got no further mosquito bites on her legs. There probably wasn't any room left, since she was pretty much covered with bumps from her time in Puerto Rico.

All in all, a pretty nice evening.

Map Boy

Adam loves maps. Actually that's an understatement. He really loves maps. On our recent vacation, he had an opportunity to lead us out of the woods. He was up to the challenge, but probably needed a smaller map.

At the Beach

This is the start of the second week of the Missus and the twins in Puerto Rico. They are enjoying the trip to see Abuelita, but I miss 'em something fierce and can't wait to see them again.

This week they are spending some time at the beach and loving it. Tessa on the ocean: "It's the biggest pool ever!"