Franken-Bea and the Fourth of July

You can childproof and childproof and childproof, but something is going to slip through the safety dragnet. A birdbath, for instance. Said birdbath looked stable enough when Maggie was investigating it, but what one cannot do alone, two can do with ease. Shortly after Bea joined in the fun, they managed to pull it down, directly onto the bridge of Bea's nose. Within ten minutes, she was being checked in at the Chambersburg Hospital emergency room and then in short order having her head examined (via CAT scan) and four stitches expertly applied right between the eyes. Bea proved remarkably resilient. She was only Franken-Bea for five days, at which point the stitches were removed, and her scar was already fading when we returned to the scene of the crime two weeks later for the Fourth of July. Bea and Maggie celebrated with matching patriotic dresses supplied by Heidi's beloved first-grade teacher, who stopped by with her grandchildren during an earlier visit to Grandma Janet in Lancaster. The big water-bearing hit of the holiday weekend was not a weaponized birdbath but a soft plastic contraption that was part wading pool and part sprinkler, providing some much-needed relief from towering temperatures.

Hats and hikes

As noted previously, there is general agreement that the heat and humidity of Washington in summer make it unfit for human habitation, forcing inhabitants to dart from one air-conditioned space to another. But there are urban escapes to be had. Two photos from a family hike on the wooded hills of the National Arboretum. When Utahn field geologist par excellence David Dinter paid a visit to the swamp, Bea attempted to mirror the rake of his weather-beaten hat with her own and then tried the real thing. And speaking of hats (if not the urban experience), the girls sport a pair of Shaker bonnets, a look not to be passed up.

Summer out of the city

Summer has arrived with a vengeance in DC, our fair city in a swamp. So trips to the country are a much-needed escape from the humidity if not the heat. Visits to Grandma Joan feature as much time as possible out on the porch and in the grass. The girls quickly got the hang of their new rainbow tube under the supervision of their grandmother, but their father's attempts to join in the fun were less successful. Aunt Nessa can be seen demonstrating her famous knee tickling technique on Bea with the desired effect. In other photos, the family unit is bathed in late-afternoon sun, and the little girls play with big blocks.

Take Bea out to the ballgame (and Hooray for graduate Cea!)

Congratulations to cousin Cea, whose Bryn Mawr graduation was cause for great celebration. Maggie and Bea are enjoying the day with the about-to-be graduate as well as cousin Henry.

Another first: The girls finally took advantage of living 10 blocks from the ballpark, going to see the Nationals play the Mets (and getting to meet Dave's former AGI colleagues in the process). Maggie likes to wear her new cap sideways.

And two videos from April: The first is in response to Uncle Charles's request for further documentation of the girls' walking prowess, and the second was taken by aunt Nessa when she came to town to help out while Dave was traveling. Bea is in rare form while her sister somehow manages to tolerate the performance.

Thanks, mom!

At the ripe old age of 15 months, Maggie and Bea were not quite up to writing this entry, but conveyed their perspective to their father. The girls are very grateful to their mother for all she does for them every day and every night -- all oodles of tender loving care are gratefully received and acknowledged. For this Mother's Day, we pledge to focus on sleeping through the night, will no longer try to climb off the back of the couch, and generally will attempt not to be drawn to trouble like moths to the proverbial flame. Failing that, we will ensure adequate cuteness and sweetness to forgive all. Much love, M&B..and D. (And thanks to Grandmoms too!)

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.