Washington, DC

So, spent a week in DC with the extended family. Contrary to the expression on H's face, it was a lot of fun. So much to do, I think the boys are having a post-urban-vacation letdown. R pointed out the window yesterday and said, "A taxi! Just like in Washington, DC and Chicago! [thoughtful pause, and then] I want to go back to Chicago or Washington, to, you know, just hang out."

We had some good museum visits, plenty of sightseeing, a great condo, plenty of sweat, and just a little touch of illness to begin the week. There are some stray pictures up at Flickr.

Raleigh

Took the day off and went to Raleigh to visit a couple of museums, eat some really great barbecue, and — most importantly to H + R — visit the Lego Store. Now H is about 4h into the the construction of the AT-TE Walker. He should be finished up by morning. Photos (not of the Lego construction, which doesn't really photograph well) here.

Winter Strikes Back!

Hunting for Spring

The weather here is mild, absolutely nothing to complain about. But, I think everyone in our house has been affected differently by seasonal affective disorder, and spring here is really quite dramatic. So, today, we went to the Arboretum with our cameras to hunt for the first signs of the changing season. R said you "can feel spring on your skin." I asked what it feels like, and he replied "warmness." True enough. They found all sorts of chutes, buds and blossoms and particularly liked the Okame Apricot tree, and the Arnold Promise Witchhazel. While the Bloodgood Red Twig Dogwood is very striking, I think we were more interested in the name, which is fairly difficult to say quickly.

You can see the highlights here. Also, while you are there, take a look at our frigid (note the Merry X-mas in ice on the inside of the hotel window) but enjoyable Christmas in Chicago, about which I haven't written a thing. Busy times. Good times, though.

More to come.

a walk in the woods

On Sunday, we all took a walk in the GC woods. We sat on a log and talked about the changing seasons as the boys fought each other with sticks. Nice time...

whew!

So, for years I have had a low-level worry about what might happen if, as my children grew older it became clear they did not share my political viewpoints. Of course, I would love them the same, but there is the Alex from Family Ties model.

Well, tonight, H said that there was a girl at his school who would like to vote for McCain if she could because if Obama becomes president, he will "take all our taxes and give them to homeless people." H got a puzzled look on his face and said, "but that's a good cause, right? I mean, what is the problem with that?"

Thats my boy.

More to come