At the Castle

Prince Lily and Princess Elsa dance. The girls came up with this idea and costumes on their own. Did you know that royalty must wear tap shoes? They are downstairs in Elsa's castle. Lily lives upstairs in the treehouse.

On transportation

The Big Blue Beast was in the autoshop this week. So, the girls got to ride to school in style behind Daddy's bike. Aren't they cute! (E,L)

We're pretty sure our days with the Beast are numbered. This time, she left us completely stranded in the center lane of Route 1 somewhere in the Brunswicks. We had to get a police escort and everything. It was certainly a character building experience. Traffic was so heavy, it was impossible for us to get out of the car. So all four of us stayed in the van while it was hoisted onto the back of a flatbed tow truck. Nothing like driving in highway traffic 10 feet above the road. Anyway, he got us out of danger and left us in a parking lot where we waited for AAA. They were supposed to send an extended cab, but didn't because there weren't any available. So, all four of us squeezed into the front of a regular cab with the driver. And the girls ended up having their first ride in a vehicle without a carseat. And I nearly had a heart attack. But, the girls thought it was the coolest experience ever. From the perspective of a 3-year old driving in a tow truck is pretty darn cool. Their nearly 30-year old mother didn't find it so cool. So, as soon as we get Mark's job situation situation finalized, I think we may go car-shopping for our first grownup vehicle. Time for something built in this century!

Spring Update

Our campus housing complex has exploded in full spring frolic mode. Kids are everywhere. They run across our shared lawns, while parents keep a collective eye by peeping out kitchen windows. And, of course, Lily and Elsa want to be part of the action. So fun to live in a place where the children literally run in herds, climb trees and play tag.

And it is quite an international crowd. I hear just as much Russian, Spanish and Chinese as I do English. Our housing situation will be one of my fondest memories of our time in Princeton. This Spring, the girls have been chasing around the girl gang, a small group of 5-8 year-olds who have taken up headquarters in the big tree outside our front door. The big girls are a bit bossy to the little ones. But, Lily and Elsa don't seem to mind. They are just so thrilled to be part of the big girl circuit rather than the toddler group. They're growing up!

It has been a while since I've given update on the girls. Here's some of their latest interests:

1) All things Spring. They've actually become really interested in flower identification as it has been a subject at school. Their class is going on a nature hike next week. They can point out daffodils, dandelions, tulips, crocuses and my favorite forsythia.

2) Numbers and Letters. The girls are obsessed with counting just about anything and love letters. The other day Elsa arranged the letter magnets on the fridge to spell D-U-C-K-Y. We asked her if she knew what that word was and she cheerfully said Ducky! She had remembered how to spell that word. So cool! They can also recognize other words like Exit, Stop, their names and Mom. And they love exclamation points. (not sure why, but they always point them out).

3) Elsa is obsessed with the harmonica. She calls it a "Carmonica" and likes to take it everywhere. When, I got home from work last night, she was sitting on the stoop playing a tune. So, cute!

4) And they really love their pretend games. Lily, especially, will make up stories for everything. Even during meal times, her food starts "talking" and has adventures on her plate. All the sudden, her silverware becomes a bridge and the pasta goes on a journey to a forest. We have to remind her to eat! My two girls live in their imaginations.

Well, that's all mommy's bragging for this morning. We are "this close" to having a destination for the next academic year. But, can't share until it becomes official. Meanwhile, poor Lily had to stay home sick with a fever. So, I best attend to my patient.


E,L


E,L


E,L