Today is Anastasia's first day with her new babysitter. So far, things are off to a strong start, she's playing in the living room with Ashley, and I'm upstairs just listening in. We'll see how things go when I leave for work, but hopefully this will be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
I'm going to give Ashley the camera, and we'll see what kind of fun the two of them get up to this summer. Today, I think they'll be baking cookies. For now, I'm off to work.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
An iPhone Aficionado
Annie's rule for waking up in the morning is that she has to stay in bed until the sun comes up. That's still pretty early, so for almost 2 years now, Anastasia has been in the habit of watching a little TV first thing in the morning (while Mommy and Daddy try to stay asleep until their alarms go off.) Until recently, this still meant that one of us had to wake up enough to turn on the television, get to the DVR, and navigate to a program she liked.
Recently, though Anastasia has become a real expert in operating the iPhone. This has afforded Orlando and me a little more sleep first thing in the morning. Every morning now, when she comes into our room, she picks up Orlando's phone and navigates her way to Scooby Doo or Backyardigans to occupy herself until it's time to get ready to go. Here she is showing off.
And that's not all she can do. She's also pretty good a navigating her way around to other things, too. She loves to look at pictures of herself.
And most recently, she's gotten pretty good at taking pictures, too. A couple weeks ago, she took a couple pictures using my camera. This week, she showed off her skills with the iPhone camera.
She hasn't quite gotten the hang of holding the camera away so she can see what she's aiming at, but judge for yourself, here's the photo she took in this video. (She was telling the truth when she said "I already did." The second picture wasn't as good.)
Do you think Apple is looking for a 2 1/2 year old to star in their commercial answer to "I'm a PC and I'm 4 1/2"?
Recently, though Anastasia has become a real expert in operating the iPhone. This has afforded Orlando and me a little more sleep first thing in the morning. Every morning now, when she comes into our room, she picks up Orlando's phone and navigates her way to Scooby Doo or Backyardigans to occupy herself until it's time to get ready to go. Here she is showing off.
And that's not all she can do. She's also pretty good a navigating her way around to other things, too. She loves to look at pictures of herself.
And most recently, she's gotten pretty good at taking pictures, too. A couple weeks ago, she took a couple pictures using my camera. This week, she showed off her skills with the iPhone camera.
She hasn't quite gotten the hang of holding the camera away so she can see what she's aiming at, but judge for yourself, here's the photo she took in this video. (She was telling the truth when she said "I already did." The second picture wasn't as good.)
Do you think Apple is looking for a 2 1/2 year old to star in their commercial answer to "I'm a PC and I'm 4 1/2"?
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Summer Solstice Farm Dinner
Orlando's new job gave him the opportunity to help our on an annual Summer Solstice Farm Dinner offered by one of the company's sister restaurants. The dinner isn't cheap, $160 per person, but still drew 120 people more than 1 hour from downtown, for a four course dinner with paired wines.
They left DC at 10:00 am, and got started getting set up. Dinner was scheduled for 6:30, with guests arriving at 4:00. So they had just a couple of hours to get things set up and the rain was definitely working against them. There was a rain plan, but the forecast said the rain would stop, so they set up in the pasture as planned. To ensure that everyone had dry seats, they kept the seats leaned up against the table, and waited as long as possible to set the table.
The dinner was to incorporate ingredients from the farm, and put the talents of the chefs to the test, particularly with raw crabcakes, and no saute pans to cook them. But nevermind the behind the scenes, the real beauty of the event was the location.
Once it got down to cooking, the menu was the following:
They left DC at 10:00 am, and got started getting set up. Dinner was scheduled for 6:30, with guests arriving at 4:00. So they had just a couple of hours to get things set up and the rain was definitely working against them. There was a rain plan, but the forecast said the rain would stop, so they set up in the pasture as planned. To ensure that everyone had dry seats, they kept the seats leaned up against the table, and waited as long as possible to set the table.
The dinner was to incorporate ingredients from the farm, and put the talents of the chefs to the test, particularly with raw crabcakes, and no saute pans to cook them. But nevermind the behind the scenes, the real beauty of the event was the location.
Once it got down to cooking, the menu was the following:
- Salad of chicoree with deviled egg
- Family style crab case and parma ham wrapped scallops
- Family style mixed grill with rabbit terrine, bison skirt, beef ribeye and beef striploin, with potato salad and spring onions
- Goat cheese cheesecake with black pepper and strawberry puree with creme chantilly
- House made cookies with chilled espresso shots
The cooking was the fun part of the meal. It was the set up and break down of all the tents, chairs, makeshift kitchen, etc. that put everyone to the test.
The next morning (I was asleep when he finally made it home), was Father's Day, and all Orlando really wanted, was to sleep in and rest is sore muscles. So, we left him to rest while Myney, Annie and I visited Sidamo, the local small coffee shop with a super cute courtyard in the back (pictures next time).
Sunday, June 21, 2009
A Princess in a Castle
Yesterday Anastasia and I were home together all day, and since it was raining, we weren't able to visit the new playground. So by the middle of the afternoon, I was looking around for things to do. I remembered how much we loved making forts when we were kids, and decided that she needed to learn how. I suggested that we build a fort and her response was "Huh"? When I asked her if she wanted to make a castle, she was on board.
A couple sofa cushions, her high chair, and a couple of blankets later, we had ourselves a real living room fort ...er, castle.
Anastasia was very excited to get inside, and immediately wanted to play with her "beach" inside her castle.
When she realized I was taking pictures, she told me to hide inside so she could take my picture. Not too bad for her first shot.
After a while, she discovered that there was a gap in the roof and decided that it was there so she could play peekaboo with me.
I consider it a success because first thing this morning, she asked to make her castle again.
A couple sofa cushions, her high chair, and a couple of blankets later, we had ourselves a real living room fort ...er, castle.
Anastasia was very excited to get inside, and immediately wanted to play with her "beach" inside her castle.
When she realized I was taking pictures, she told me to hide inside so she could take my picture. Not too bad for her first shot.
After a while, she discovered that there was a gap in the roof and decided that it was there so she could play peekaboo with me.
I consider it a success because first thing this morning, she asked to make her castle again.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Daddy's got a Job!
Orlando has been looking for just the right job since closing Mark and Orlando's at the end of April. On Friday, he accepted a job at a new restaurant that we're very excited about. Columbia Firehouse is the newest restaurant in the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, owners of Vermillion, Rustico, and Tallula among others. The concept for the restaurant is on two levels, casual downstairs, upscale upstairs (sound familiar?). The group's restaurants are all chef-driven, and one of their chefs just won the RAMMY for Rising Culinary Star of the Year (remember Orlando was nominated for a RAMMY last year.) Pictures of the new restaurant will come soon.
One of Orlando's first jobs will be to hire a complete crew for his kitchen. I know he's excited about everything he's got ahead of him.
Next week, he'll be helping out at the Virginia Farmland Solstice Supper (I'm sure he'll bring back some pictures).
One of Orlando's first jobs will be to hire a complete crew for his kitchen. I know he's excited about everything he's got ahead of him.
Next week, he'll be helping out at the Virginia Farmland Solstice Supper (I'm sure he'll bring back some pictures).
Monday, June 8, 2009
A Visit to New York
My best friend from college, Nicole, is having a baby soon and this weekend was her shower. So, it was the perfect opportunity for Anastasia to get to meet some good friends and and people who haven't seen her since she was 2 weeks old. This was a girls weekend, and I was very excited to take her on another road trip, since she's done so well before.
We hit the road about 10:45, after a last minute stop for a final part of Nicole's gift, and a stop at McD's for snacks for the road. Annie and I sang songs and played games the whole way up (except for the hour that she was sleeping). We made great time, and headed straight to Auntie Nicole's house for a little visit.
Annie had a lot of fun petting the kitty and playing in Nicole and Jonathan's yard. She posed for lots of pictures in the yard, too.
After a couple hours visit, some yummy pastries (thanks Nicole) and a short drive to the hotel, it was time for dinner. What visit to NY would be complete without pasta? Anastasia dug right in.
On Sunday morning, Annie woke up bright and early and we set a course for the Staten Island Zoo, with a stop at a grocery store for a banana and some batteries for the camera. Annie was very excited about the prospect of visiting the animals. She had no idea it was going to be as up close and personal a visit as it was. The Staten Island Zoo is small and very hands on, with a petting zoo where you can still feed some of the animals, and pony rides. First thing we saw when we got inside was a peacock hanging out on the grass by the path. His call was very loud and startled both of us.
A little way into the zoo, we saw this guy shaking his tail feathers for the female in the same area.
We moved on to the petting zoo, where we started by feeding the sheep and quickly moved into the goat and llama pen. Anastasia was a little shy around the animals at first, but after a few minutes, she got the hang of feeding the goats.
She also wanted to feed the llamas, but the llamas weren't really interested in the Rye Crisp they gave us to feed the animals.
We made our way to the pony rides, which Anastasia swore she really wanted to go on. She got on with a little trepidation, and then off they went.
After our visit to the zoo, it was time to head to Nicole's parents' house for the shower. Nicole's parents live in a beautiful big house on the top of a hill in Staten Island. (Every time before, I've gotten lost on my way there, but this time, I made it on the first try!)
There were about 40 women there, and Nicole's mom and sister had put together a beautiful party to celebrate Nicole's new baby. There was a great banner and the centerpieces were adorable, and three guesses what Annie did with this:
Of course there was a bounty of presents, and Anastasia wanted to help Nicole open them. Our gift included all the supplies Nicole and Jonathan need for a night on the town: changing pad, small diaper bag, rattle, pacifier, and dress for little one, and beautiful burp clothes. (Oh, and one that didn't match the theme: a onesie with "Teeny Republican" for the baby nicknamed Teeny and the mommy whose College Republican days were matched by my College Dems days.)
Unfortunately, we had to leave while the party was still in full swing since we had a long drive ahead. After the super busy day she'd had, Annie crashed before we left Nicole's neighborhood, and stayed that way for the first 2 hours of the trip.
We hit the road about 10:45, after a last minute stop for a final part of Nicole's gift, and a stop at McD's for snacks for the road. Annie and I sang songs and played games the whole way up (except for the hour that she was sleeping). We made great time, and headed straight to Auntie Nicole's house for a little visit.
Annie had a lot of fun petting the kitty and playing in Nicole and Jonathan's yard. She posed for lots of pictures in the yard, too.
After a couple hours visit, some yummy pastries (thanks Nicole) and a short drive to the hotel, it was time for dinner. What visit to NY would be complete without pasta? Anastasia dug right in.
On Sunday morning, Annie woke up bright and early and we set a course for the Staten Island Zoo, with a stop at a grocery store for a banana and some batteries for the camera. Annie was very excited about the prospect of visiting the animals. She had no idea it was going to be as up close and personal a visit as it was. The Staten Island Zoo is small and very hands on, with a petting zoo where you can still feed some of the animals, and pony rides. First thing we saw when we got inside was a peacock hanging out on the grass by the path. His call was very loud and startled both of us.
A little way into the zoo, we saw this guy shaking his tail feathers for the female in the same area.
We moved on to the petting zoo, where we started by feeding the sheep and quickly moved into the goat and llama pen. Anastasia was a little shy around the animals at first, but after a few minutes, she got the hang of feeding the goats.
She also wanted to feed the llamas, but the llamas weren't really interested in the Rye Crisp they gave us to feed the animals.
We made our way to the pony rides, which Anastasia swore she really wanted to go on. She got on with a little trepidation, and then off they went.
After our visit to the zoo, it was time to head to Nicole's parents' house for the shower. Nicole's parents live in a beautiful big house on the top of a hill in Staten Island. (Every time before, I've gotten lost on my way there, but this time, I made it on the first try!)
There were about 40 women there, and Nicole's mom and sister had put together a beautiful party to celebrate Nicole's new baby. There was a great banner and the centerpieces were adorable, and three guesses what Annie did with this:
Of course there was a bounty of presents, and Anastasia wanted to help Nicole open them. Our gift included all the supplies Nicole and Jonathan need for a night on the town: changing pad, small diaper bag, rattle, pacifier, and dress for little one, and beautiful burp clothes. (Oh, and one that didn't match the theme: a onesie with "Teeny Republican" for the baby nicknamed Teeny and the mommy whose College Republican days were matched by my College Dems days.)
Unfortunately, we had to leave while the party was still in full swing since we had a long drive ahead. After the super busy day she'd had, Annie crashed before we left Nicole's neighborhood, and stayed that way for the first 2 hours of the trip.
Family Fun Day
Last Thursday, Orlando decided to take Annie to another museum and since I was sick of missing out on the action, I took the afternoon off and joined in the fun. We started with a Metro ride to the Smithsonian, where Anastasia decided she wanted to see dinosaurs, elephants and airplanes (an unorthodox combo, but definitely doable at the museums on the Mall.)
Dinosaurs and Elephants can be found at the Museum of Natural History, so we headed across the mall first. The elephant is in the rotunda as you walk in, so after a short visit, we checked that off the list. Annie knows where the dinosaurs are, so she directed Daddy which way to go.
After a few dinosaurs, and a spin through the ocean hall, she decided it was time to see some airplanes. When we got outside, however, she spied the carousel across the mall. Of course we had to make a stop before heading on to the planes. She was very excited as we waited for the carousel to start.
Once we were moving, Daddy held on to her as we went around and around and around.
When the carousel stopped, it was time to head down to the Air and Space Museum. I was a little preoccupied with the airplanes myself, and somehow managed to not take a single photo inside. Suffice it to say, Annie was very excited to get to walk through the airplane, and to go to the cockpit upstairs.
Outside, while we decided which way to walk to the Metro (tough choice: closer station and change trains, or longer walk with no change), Annie chased pigeons hoping that they would play with her. Sadly, she didn't catch any.
After a very late lunch of Five Guys burgers (no Obama sightings at our neighborhood location), we headed home for a little rest before our final event of the day: The Playground Grand Opening! Anastasia has been waiting (not so patiently) for months for the new playground at the local elementary school to open. Finally, the day came, and ... it rained, so she couldn't play on the playground. No matter, though, she got to spend an evening in the cafeteria of her new school eating cupcakes and ice cream and playing with her new classmates and of course Daddy.
Dinosaurs and Elephants can be found at the Museum of Natural History, so we headed across the mall first. The elephant is in the rotunda as you walk in, so after a short visit, we checked that off the list. Annie knows where the dinosaurs are, so she directed Daddy which way to go.
After a few dinosaurs, and a spin through the ocean hall, she decided it was time to see some airplanes. When we got outside, however, she spied the carousel across the mall. Of course we had to make a stop before heading on to the planes. She was very excited as we waited for the carousel to start.
Once we were moving, Daddy held on to her as we went around and around and around.
When the carousel stopped, it was time to head down to the Air and Space Museum. I was a little preoccupied with the airplanes myself, and somehow managed to not take a single photo inside. Suffice it to say, Annie was very excited to get to walk through the airplane, and to go to the cockpit upstairs.
Outside, while we decided which way to walk to the Metro (tough choice: closer station and change trains, or longer walk with no change), Annie chased pigeons hoping that they would play with her. Sadly, she didn't catch any.
After a very late lunch of Five Guys burgers (no Obama sightings at our neighborhood location), we headed home for a little rest before our final event of the day: The Playground Grand Opening! Anastasia has been waiting (not so patiently) for months for the new playground at the local elementary school to open. Finally, the day came, and ... it rained, so she couldn't play on the playground. No matter, though, she got to spend an evening in the cafeteria of her new school eating cupcakes and ice cream and playing with her new classmates and of course Daddy.
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