Swing, Slide, Rock and Bike

The arrival of spring has brought along all manner of new experiences. The neighborhood playground has become part of the daily routine. It comes complete with little-kid bucket swings and a big wide slide, which Bea in particular took to with gusto. Grandparents John and Eddie came to visit, bringing along Aunt Nessa's childhood rocking chair to check the sizing for twin replicas. In the photo, Maggie is entranced with all the little holes in the caning, perfect for poking with little fingers. And at a picnic in Rock Creek Park for Mark's 40th, the girls tried out their new bike trailer for the first time with mixed success. Neither of them liked their helmets. A follow-up ride this morning at the National Arboretum to try out skate-punk (i.e. flatter-backed) helmets was a little more successful, and the azaleas were stupendous.

Walk, walk, we like to walk

Maggie and Bea are walking! Bea had started to take the occasional step or two on her own beginning in late February, but it was Maggie who realized Tuesday morning that she could go the length of the living room hands free, and then proceeded to do it over and over again. Her excited mother captured Maggie heading toward the front door, followed by Maggie's (seated) reaction to what she had just done, and then the return trip on video. Bea was mildly peeved, and motivated to figure things out herself by that same evening. While the parents went to the theater, the fabulous Shayla shot more video. Bea collapses onto the big pink dog off screen to conclude a successful demonstration of her new skill.