Frankenstorm

We've been holed up here at home the last two days as Hurricane Sandy swept over the East Coast. We made several trips to the store this weekend to stock up on shelf-stable food, and felt pretty prepared going in. We've had several other major storms prepare us for Sandy, so we were set with water, flashlights, and candles. We lost power on Monday around 5 pm, and we were certain it would be at least Wednesday or Thursday before it was back. I was thrilled to wake up suddenly to all the lights in the apartment around 5 am. The only issue we've had was similar to Hurricane Irene-- leaks in the building mean our walls and window frames leak, and this time it reached the carpet. We're hoping it will all be dried out by tomorrow.

To keep ourselves entertained while we were homebound, we made a little video, reporting on the weather. It was actually really nice to have Sam around so much these last two days, and we really enjoyed each other's company. Bria got to watch Star Wars Episode 1 in preparation for Halloween, Sam and Bria made their own Doc McStuffins memory game (this took hours, which was awesome), and we each ate our weight and then some in shelf-stable junk food. 

Mostly, we just feel so lucky to have gotten through unscathed when there are flooded homes, people missing, and still millions without power. We are also feeling grateful to so many friends--near and far-- who checked in on us. We had so many people offer to let us crash with them when our power went out, and we even braved a quick walk to our neighbors' to eat dinner prepared on their gas stove after we all lost power. Forget the news; forget politics: there is love and good in this world.

Action

First video: Bria was rather inspired by her cousins this summer and wanted to take a karate class. I enrolled her in one at our local rec center and purchased her a gi off Amazon. We took a little video a couple days before the first class. She's my favorite little ninja. Unfortunately the class was a total bust. My first clue was when the super cool young 20s instructor told me "all the other classes like to play games, but I think that's a waste of time. I only teach them self-defense." After 45 minutes of practicing a series of about six moves (including three different elbow moves) over and over, just punching/hitting/kicking into a padded wall (seriously, that was it for 45 minutes), I told Bria we didn't have to go back. Obviously she didn't want to. We'll try again next year at a real martial arts studio. But clearly she's already got some pretty impressive moves.

The next video is Bria showing off the curtain I finally made for her room. Nevermind that it took me three years to finally address the cardboard, foil, and leopard print sheet situation that blocked out all the light. Ugh, what an eyesore. Now her room is lovely!

Natitude

It's been a while since I've been able to adopt a local pro sports team. I mean, it's hard enough to get me to be enthusiastic about any sport, really, so I guess my location has nothing to do with it. But I grew up going to Rockies games every spring and summer, and even though I think baseball is b-o-r-i-n-g, it's an all-American event, right? We've gone to at least one Nationals game each summer-- Sam sneaking in several more here and there with his brother. When we moved here, I think the Nats had the worst record in baseball. But, folks, we must be the lucky charms, because since we moved here, they have moved up to having the best record. You're welcome, Nationals. Feel free to cut us a portion of your profits.
We went to the last home game of the regular season last week, and it was particularly fun, since Teddy finally won the presidential race. Bria brought her dear friend Ada, and we cheered on our Nats to a grand victory. Fun fact: Bria's favorite player is Bryce Harper, since his was the only shirt in her size when we went to buy Nats gear at Target before a game earlier in the season. She gets his name confused with National Harbor. And whenever anyone gets up to bat, regardless of their team, she loves to yell at the top of her lungs, "DO IT!!"

So . . . do we think our Nats have a chance at making it to the World Series?
That's a clown question, bro.

Teddy wins!

 

The beloved playground, where we usually spend an inning or two

A game earlier this summer when we watched a sudden rainstorm move in-- torrential downpours had us trapped in the stadium for about an hour, with tornado warnings near our house. The rain delay last several hours, but when the game resumed, the Nats came back for the win!