Winter Doldrums

Between freezing temperatures and a very sick little girl, we've got a little bit of cabin fever going on over here.

I even dragged my poor, listless little girl to IKEA yesterday so I wouldn't lose my mind. I rewarded her patience with an ice cream cone. Her main symptom is a horrifying cough, which she let loose in the eating area. She sounded like her lungs were about to pop out, which was totally embarrassing. If I had been one of the other moms there, I totally would have judged me for bringing such a sick child out into public.

Luckily, even when she's sick, she's still bursting with personality. Lately, she insists on calling me "Mister Sir." I don't know where it came from, but I think it's awesome.

Hide and Seek

If I can't see you, then you can't see me:

Temple Lights Take Two

Last year we went to see the lights at the DC Temple, and Bria was Miss Grump. So we decided to try it again this year. Thankfully, Bria acted much more like a human than a monster, so . . . success!!
I loved looking at the creche display in the visitor's center-- once I moved past a large group of sloth-like old ladies (seriously, they were holding up the line forever! so I just moved around them). Sam and Bria skipped the creches, since the tables were just too high for Bria to see, and she is getting way too heavy to carry. Anyway.
I love this traditional German one-- my mom has an identical one, and we always lit the candles on Christmas Eve and used it as a centerpiece for our big fancy dinner.
We had Japanese dolls similar to these growing up. And of course the Scottish one. My favorite!!

We took a couple pictures outside . . . until our camera batteries died. So, this is the best we got:
All in all, significantly more successful than last year. Next year I'm hoping for a happy child AND a great picture. (That might be pushing my luck . . . )

New Years Eve Sundaes

What could be better than a fudge, carmel, whipped cream, magic shell, chocolate AND vanilla ice cream sundae with a cherry on top for new years eve?
Absolutely nothing. This is heaven in a bowl.
I feel concerned that this seems to be one of the last bites. Mom, maybe you should get out some more ice cream for me.
How did I eat that so fast?Ok, seriously, Mom. MORE ICE CREAM.

Botanical Gardens

Sam had two weeks off for Christmas and New Years, so we tried to pack in lots of fun holiday-esque outings. One included the Botanical Gardens in DC. They have a cool Christmas display with replicas of famous buildings made entirely of botanical materials. (I don't know how that is related to the holidays, but I'm not complaining.)

We had Bria's friend Carter, who I watch once a week, with us-- something I would not have attempted without Sam.
The trains were probably the most exciting thing for Bria and Carter, because apparently they can't yet appreciate fine skill required for the botanic structures.
Unless, of course, it's the Washington Monument, which Bria can recognize anywhere. She used to think Sam worked there.
We snapped a couple shots of the cool buildings, including Tikal in Guatemala, where Sam has been in real life:
And this one from Japan
Taj Mahal? I think so.
After a quick stop in Paris, we were on our way.
(Wahhhh-- if only . . . )