Afternoons in the Neighborhood

We live in a community that shares driveways. Amelia is in kindergarten with Meera, who shares our driveway, along with her older sister, Pragathi. Since starting school, the girls beg to play with each other every day after getting off the bus. Since we've had many days of nice weather, Suba and I have been happy to set up and chat while the kids play - and they often have to be dragged inside for dinnertime. All of the bikes, trikes and scooters come out, along with chalk, bubbles, chairs, brooms and anything else the kids can come up with to request.

Billy is also in their kindergarten class and lives in our neighborhood.

They're pretending to be a family here.

Colleen loves the attention from Pragathi.  Every day Pragathi tries to get her homework done while sitting outside with us. And everyday she ends up cooing at Colleen.

Or she has a hoard of kids asking her questions about her homework.

Mr. Vic stopped by to let everyone pet Allie.

Pragathi brought out her violin, played classical Indian style, to practice for the group. I didn't get the chance to take a photo - but Colleen LOVED Pragathi's playing. Everytime Pragathi would start, Colleen would grin at her and coo.

Jonas came out and joined their train.

A drizzly day just had the kids playing in and out of the garage (but mostly in the drizzle).

We are grateful that kindergarten has allowed us to get to know our neighbors better!

MD Friends Take on NYC Again & Pony Rides

Our NVA/MD friends Joey & Josh with their parents Carrie & Pat came to visit for a weekend. We had fun visiting NYC in 2014, so we thought to try again. We reserved tickets for the Intrepid Air & Space Museum through our library and set off for an adventure.

First stop: Port Authority bathrooms

Fun playing around the sculpture

We headed right to eat our picnic lunch under the Concorde.

Watching other boats go by

They are all staring at a cruise ship.

Daddy caught some fun ones while I was playing with Colleen.

Joey was posing nicely with the Concorde while Amelia was dancing and Austin was refusing to turn around. 

Friends for 5 years. So thankful!

I believe they were playing a version of 'bumper strollers'.

Next stop: the aircraft exhibit on the top deck of the Intrepid

Then we headed up to tour the inside of the Captain's & Admiral's quarters.

Steering and asking questions of men who actually worked on the Intrepid when it was in active service. Amelia wanted to ask how long it took to construct (she came up with her question all on her own!)

Playing in the kids' exhibit on the main museum deck 

We tried to get a group photo...

How sweet!

Let's be honest. There were snack bribes.

But we tried again anyways...

And finally got a semi-cute one.

On the way home, we had 2 of 3 kids fall asleep.

We returned home just in time for dinner, some books and bedtime!

Joey & Amelia took turns reading to the little kids before bedtime. It was beyond precious!

The adults followed up bedtime with a new favorite game - 7 Wonders and a lot of sweet conversation.

 On Sunday morning, Joey must have read and sang Chicka Chicka Boom Boom to Colleen over a dozen times.

The county parks service has stables where the kids can ride ponies for an extremely inexpensive  half-hourly rate. So we tried it out - and it was SO MUCH FUN! 

Watching their siblings when it wasn't their turn.

Waiting as patiently as 3 year old boys can.

While I was cooking lunch, everyone played hard outside.

Carrie caught this photo of Austin with the look that seems to be his trademark lately.

We look forward to many more adventurous weekends with these friends!