Union Station and a walk to the Capitol-Family day trip

Right outside Union Station in DC there is this huge fountain sculpture. The angel's expression was so amazingly beautiful and calm against the blue sky.
Here is a different view.


Nora and Luke laying down in the sun.
Luke doing what he does best......running!
Trees right around the capitol are humongous....so beautiful.
There was a 'Quinceanera' (equivalent to sweet 16 for Latin Americans) at the Capitol posing for pics. The minute Nora noticed she yelled, 'There is a Princess'. We HAD to take a picture with the princess.
Nora watched 4 Tibetan monks posing for pictures and asked me to take her picture too.
Luke loves to climb trees. The trees right near the Capitol are very old Japanese cherry trees.....they are so beautiful.
Nora, future president....
Such an inviting tree.....
That is the wonderful thing about having kids. You might perfectly plan a trip, then find out that instead of having them enjoy the things you planned for, they enjoy things you often overlook. Thanks to them I can again appreciate a leaf pile, or tree climbing, or running down a hill.

Highlights from Weekend in NY!

We went to NY to visit my family this past Halloween weekend. We leave DC at around 7 and get to NY at around 12am. The kids sleep the entire ride giving dad and I to actually have hours of uninterrupted conversation.....

The first thing we see....is the bed full of gifts. My mom does not go light on this. It's very much like Christmas. She's setting the bar pretty high for when I become a grandma.
This round Nora got fake princess makeup. Since she has never seen me put on makeup she had very interesting ideas on where this makeup should go on her face.
Luke got glow in the dark planets. Here are the three opening gifts. I love my mom. Seeing her with my kids just warms my heart and adds a whole new dimension to my love for her. I can't wait to be a grandma myself and be able to spoil my grand kiddies to no end.
Nora got a blue princess dress.....here is he first look at herself with new dress.
Heels......these are so funny on her little feet. Again, I hardly wear heels so this was quite special.
And what would a visit to grandma's be without sugar......I think they had more batter than brownies.

Mirtha invited us to see her K class in NYC. What an amazing class for an amazing Kindergarten teacher. I think I am buying a shelf like this for our blocks at home.
Mirtha and Senorita Norita....this class is a dream.

Luke loves parties...can you tell.
My little one knows how to celebrate.
Mirtha and Luke cutting the cake as if it were a wedding cake.....my mom even requested I take a picture....huh?
A heartfelt kiss indeed. Auntie Mirtha is THE best!
Nora and Eric getting in on a philosophical discussion about how the movie Waiting for Superman is pure propaganda.....just kidding. Eric sure knows how to get Nora worked up...
and cake....!!!
Nora getting her thoughts together as she adjusts her skibbies.
"wait....where's my cake....did I eat it all already? But I don't even remember enjoying it! "
Took hundred of these types....
To finally get a smile....sort of....
Mom and dad being silly.

Highlights of our trip to the zoo with friends

You could spend hundreds of dollars taking your kids out....and you turn around for one minute and what are they doing? playing in dirt. While waiting for the bus, the kids got themselves into this huge digging agenda.

Nora eaten by a dinosaur...oh no!!
Luke eaten by a dinosaur....oh no!!
Lion at the zoo...
Kids posing.....sort of.....Luke refuses to be photographed.
Nora could have stood here for hours. It was a display at the zoo.
Nora and Luke waiting for friends to come meet us.....
I had to BEG him to hug his sister....

Nora is a little senorita.....this is what she looks like ready to go out to do laundry in the basement....LOL

She always has a purse, a baby and in her purse she has money, snacks and a "phone".

She is pretty hilarious for a 3-year old......I tell her all the time she will be a fantastic mother when she grows up.

One Day Trip to Easton, PA

We went to Easton, PA for two days and one night. The objective was to go to the Crayola Factory, go out to dinner and in the morning take the Canal Boat ride. With little ones we've discovered that LONG trips do not work.....but overnight trips 2 hours from home are fun-packed, refreshing, and not too overwhelming for small kids.

Here's Luke at the Crayola Factory....

Nora
Dad
and me!!
Nora leaves her mark in chalk at the Factory....

The canal Museum next door was loads of fun too....


My 2 creations....

Our hotel room at the Quality Inn......2 full beds....nice window that faced 3 towns' fireworks......was a very exciting night.
Nora asked me to take her picture......with her feet on the wall.
The Canal Boat we took...was about 40 minutes.....
Nora by a tree....waiting for the canal boat ride...
Did you know canal boats were pulled by a pair of Mules? I did not know that either.