how to eat an apple

Aviva has a most unusual of eating apples and corn

Travels

We have returned from a trip - we went to Washington D.C. and Maryland to visit different friends and family.

Traveling was hard. Tired children fuss about everything and nothing. Aviva had a full-out tantrum on the plane as were were landing, because we wouldn't let her lie on the floor on the aisle of the airplane. She really really wanted to lie on the floor, right there, and we just weren't listening to what she said.

Another habit that Aviva has developed (or developed and then dropped later) is licking her hands. She licks her hands and then rubs them together and tells you about it. She did this in the midst of all our travel, in airports and taxis and metros. Made us cringe but not worth addressing right then. 

We first met up with Josh's brother Daniel, his two new babies and their mom, Sherra.  Dizzy and Ozzie are 2 months old. (I will still attach pictures)

The next day we went to the National Zoo and met up with my aunt, uncle, and cousin et al. Nina, Judah, Aharon, Kristy, and 2 year old Desi drove up from North Carolina and we got to play at the zoo for the day. Desi liked pushing Noah in Desi's stroller (picture) We had lunch at a little place where we mostly ordered from the kids' menu and it was nice to talk and eat together. We then met up with Josh's extended family, who flew and drove in from all over the place. Daniel arranged for us to rent out an 8 bedroom house for the week in D.C., and more family visited for shorter periods of time. 

We were: Josh's sister Joanna, her two kids Anya and Mika, and partner Steve. Daniel and Sherra and Dizzy and Ozzie. Josh's grandma Kappy, Dan's mother Evy, August and her boyfriend Tanner. Sometimes Sue and Stan, and their daughter Melissa, with her husband and two little ones, Sierra and Jessa. 

When we arrived at the house and were looking around, inspecting the rooms, Noah pointed out that there were a few "tevies" which was his way of saying "T.V's" -- it pleases me that it's a foreign-enough object that he gets the name wrong. There were remote controls for the tevies, and he thought they were all telephones we can play with.

The house had a big bathtub with jets like a jacuzzi and the kids took a few bubbly baths together. And Mika are 8 and 5, and they were the perfect playmates for Noah and Aviva. They played a lot together and so nicely together and it was really a treat to see. It made us all very happy.

Throughout the week, we had little adventures, on Metros, at museums, at the house. I will attach pictures. 

Now we are home and in our regular schedule again. When eating food they like, both kids have been saying, "it's yummy in my eye." That's their take on "yummy in my tummy," which is from some book or song they hear a lot. Other funny language notes: Aviva doesn't get tenses yet or verb forms -- I hear a lot of "where is they?" and "I felled from the bed," and "look at I!" 

I think to myself, "Look at us! We travelled across the country and spent good time with lots of family members and friends.

After D.C. we visited with Josh's friend Cynthia and her family, and it culminated with a rain dance. Pictures to follow.

riddles

Noah loves to solve riddles.We incorporate them into his bedtime stories. 

Usually I have to give him huge clues to allow him to solve them, but these he solved without any clues:

What kind of cup can't hold water?

Why are teddy bears never hungry?

They come out at night without being called, and are lost in the day without being stolen. What are they?

A monkey, a squirrel, and a bird are racing to the top of a coconut tree. Who will get the banana first, the monkey, the squirrel, or the bird?

Why did the man put honey under his pillow?

Noah's perfect day

As described

1) Dinner

2) Water balloons

3) Free play (short)

4) Breakfast 

5) New playground

6) Water front yard

7) Dinner

As intended

1) Breakfast

2) Water balloons

3) Free play (short)

4) Lunch

5) New playground

6) Water back yard

7) Dinner