SPRING!

"Look mom - the car is broken!" Charlie screamed this week when he saw a convertible with its top down. I really appreciated that. I also appreciated when he asked why our house guest, Maeve, painted a butterfly on her leg (it was a tattoo). Charlie was shy around Maeve and wouldn't look at her much, but when she wasn't around he asked where "tio Dave" was. I guess Maeve was too hard to say.

We got to see the SAISers last weekend including our favorite manny Mark. Here he is reading to Diego:

On Sunday it was beautiful weather so we spent the whole day out and about. We attended our first bris (but I was too scared to actually watch) then went to the Shakespeare festival at the Folger library and then BBQ'd in the park. The Shakespeare festival was a lot of fun and Charlie loved the performances. I loved seeing the private reading room and we learned that the Folger library has the most 1st folios in the world. From there we dragged almost every sporting equipment we have to the park to meet Elizabeth and Joe. Luckily Diego isn't on the move much so we plopped him on a picnic blanket and kicked the ball around him.

Sandra's kids were on spring break this week which a BIG treat for Charlie and Diego. It meant even more attention than usual.

Yet Another Trip

Carlos gets credit for surviving another of my trips to Atlanta. Of course having his sister Veronika here is a huge help! I don't know many sisters who get up at crazy hours to take care of their nephews or who are left alone to deal with 2 nephews!! This trip seemed particularly hard on Charlie. The day after I got home he screamed "DON'T LEAVE ME MOMMY!!" anytime I even climbed the stairs. That definitely made my heart hurt.

To make up for my absence I had a special day with the kids on Saturday. We went to see the Cherry Blossom parade which made Charlie so excited he literally started shaking. The organizers made it especially exciting because a car went up in flames in front of us causing the parade to stop, a fire engine to come through the crowd, fire men to unravel a huge hose and a tow truck came to clear the vehicle. All right in front of us! Charlie loved the marching bands and diligently waved to anyone who waved to the crowd. From there we went to Eastern market to hear music and eat lunch. I love spring time in part because music pops up everywhere. Crashchord - an all sisters (under 15) band - was playing. I'm hoping that if we add another boy to the mix I can fulfill my dream of a boy band. We also joined some friends at a DC United tailgate where Charlie showed his soccer skills. He still toe punts the ball. Here is the footage.

Diego would like to kick the ball too if he could. Yes - that means he actually wants to move now! After lying on his back for 5 months and then sitting sweetly for another 3 months Diego has had enough of immobility. In fact he tries to "run" after Charlie. He is also waving hello to people. It's so cute because he waves his hand and then looks down at it incredulously as if he is surprised the thing is attached to him. He is still my absolute sweetpea and it's hard to imagine the day that his 2 year old inner monster is going to show through.

Charlie has a few imaginary friends. They don't come up that often but every now and then he'll drop "Nate" into the conversation. He did it so casually that at first I thought maybe he met a Nate somewhere, but no - Nate is just imaginary. He came up with another character a couple of weeks ago named "Jafenie." Yes - Jafenie - well, actually I'm not clear on the spelling nor do I know where he possibly came up with it!

We've been going to swim class during lunch. Charlie loves it but doesn't do anything that the teach tells him to do!