Last Comic Standing

I found my camera! Which also means I found this great video I took at the beginning of September. Bria has two jokes, which I got her to record for prosperity. The first is a classic, and the second isn't really a joke, it just sounds funny. We ask her "what does a pickle say?" and she replies, "I used to be a cucumber!"
So, without further ado, enjoy the cuteness:

Bria Appleseed

Last month we reprised our role as apple-pickers. We headed out to the same farm as last year, Crooked Run Orchard in Purcelville, about an hour and a half north west of us.

We stopped at Marc and Jenn's house on our way out to pick up Myles and Colin. Bria's enjoyment of an activity increases exponentially if any of her cousins are involved.
The pickings were actually quite slim. Can you tell there are no apples in those trees?
We even climbed some trees trying to find fruit at the top.
Our efforts were fruitless. Ha.
So we called it a day and just bought some pre-picked apples.
We also picked up some pumpkins and freshly-pressed cider.

A fun way to appreciate the beautiful harvest season.

California Gurls

In September, Bria and I flew to California to watch my oldest sister's four kids while she went to Hawaii. It was a little crazy, but we (mostly) had fun. There was also a lot of tv and movie watching.

And on the last night, as I was getting the kids ready for bed, Stone, who is Bria's age, bumped the stereo which turned on a Michael Jackson CD full blast. So we had a little dance party. It was a great way to finish up watching them (and maybe overshadow some of the times I was a little less patient).

Bria and I stayed for another six days after my sister got home, which was so fun. She even made us fancy Hawaiian drinks.

And we went to a place called Happy Hollow, a little amusement park geared specifically toward young kids.

I have to admit that I enjoyed this ride, The Frog Hopper, a little too much.

There was also just a lot of time hanging out and going to parks.

My brother also lives about five minutes from my sister, so it was so fun to hang out with them too. Bria snapped this picture of the boys wrestling
And Rachel posing

And Rachel snapped this picture of my brother, Scott, and me. Good thing I look so tired. Give me a break, I had just finished watching five kids for four days. Also, I was in desperate need of a haircut (which I got the next day). One of the only things I don't like about living on the East Coast is living so far away from my family. I miss these guys! Hopefully it won't be too long until I get to see them again. Now I just need to convince them to visit me . . .

Model

My friend Erin is a photographer, and back in August she offered to take some pictures of Bria. Of course I happily accepted! Erin was so fun to work with, and she's always great with Bria. So, yes it's been over two months, and I am just now getting around to posting them. But I love having these photos!



Thanks, Erin!

National Harbor

Now that we've been here for a year, it seems our creativity has died out. We end up going to the same places over and over and feel less of a need to explore. So, I've been making an effort to get out and see new things again to make things more exciting. A couple weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, we drove over to the National Harbor, which is maybe ten minutes from our house. It was a warm, crowded day, but so fun to get out and walk around.
Bria was very sad we wouldn't let her get in the water or in a boat. It's a tough life.
There is a sandy area with The Awakening, a huge statue which terrified Bria. So, instead of her climbing and frolicking on the statue, she just dug in the sand and debris/litter.
The view is gorgeous of the Maryland/Virginia landscapes over the Potomac. We love it here.

Vocab

In the past couple weeks, Bria has started to pronounce a number of things correctly, which, I'll admit, makes me a little sad. Just so I won't forget, here is a list of my favorite things Bria mispronounces (or used to).

Bang-gwin = Band-Aid
Bill-gwin = Building
Copporn = Popcorn
Cuppin = Pumpkin
Cappin = Napkin
Cappit = Chapstick
Cheppit = Ketchup
Chichin = Kitchen
Orndurzj = Orange
Drrrr = Grrrrr (like a bear growling)
Super-aprise = Surprise

Snippet

I am not sure if I have ever gone quite this long without blogging. And wouldn't you love if I had some super fancy excuse? Truth be told, I just lost my camera. I think it's in the apartment somewhere . . . who knows? I haven't looked very hard.


I have just this one picture my friend Wendi took of Bria. Wendi watches Bria two mornings a week and I watch her son, Carter on whole day a week. It's a nice little trade we have set up so I don't have to work only during Bria's naps. Hooray! Because I've been working a lot more lately.
And, as evidenced by this picture, Bria has a blast with Wendi and Carter. I really think it's helped Bria's ability to share, and I love seeing her innate nurturing qualities come out. I frequently hear things like "Careful, buddy!" or "Come here, Carter! Let me tickle you!"

And Bria's fashion sense has not let up. Sam snapped this picture on our way out the door this morning. You can't quite tell, but that crazy, curly hair of hers is officially past her shoulders. She's getting so big. One of my favorite cheesy mothering moments was last week when we were on a walk, and she out-of-the-blue said to me, "I love you sooo much, Mommy."
Le sigh. I love that girl.