Date night

N and I have been trying to get back into the practice of dating.  Yes, after almost ten years together, it seems that we have forgotten how to enjoy an evening out as a couple.  Thanks to Mimi and Aunt Nancy, we are able to do this more often.
Friday we stepped out a dreary rainy evening and hit Sunset Hill Vineyard.  We learned more about wine making thanks to our taster, Ben.  He shared everything from grapes to stink bug issues to a private tour of the wine cellar below this amazing renovated barn (refinished by the Amish).  Did you know?...
American oak is different than French oak.
Viognier is THE Virginia grape
White wines can be processed without destemming or crushing.
But Red wines derive their color from the skin and must have direct contact with the skin while fermenting.

A few pics

photo fun

Oh yeah!

I am so pretty

Lillian lookin' so sweet

LOL

Yummy

Our life

his life

her world

I am I

I

I am I

Originality is... a by-product of sincerity.  ~Marianne Moore

To thine own self be true -Shakespeare

Holy Birthday Batman!

What a great day!  My Charlie boy is 5.  5 sounds so grown up.  No longer and toddler but still a lovable kid.  One word sums up the day and it was said A LOT by my 5 year old, "SO AWESOME".  A huge thanks to mom and mom-in-law and a huge thanks to all my friends that have amazing kids.  You all made my boy one happy little kid!

Dear Charlie,
Happy Birthday my sweet little man.  We have had traveled quite a road these past few years.  Each year, I am amazed at how much you change and how much your little mind absorbs.  I love that you are using grown-up words like, "are you kidding me?"  I love that you are curious about where babies come from and that you believe that God planted a seed in me and daddy watered it with love.  I love that you are starting to question whether or not Batman is real and that you still want to be Batman when you grow up.  I love that you also long to be Santa.  I love that you are learning how to read and that nothing holds you back when you are writing words like, HaPE BRFDay (Happy Birthday).  You love your trains and doing magic tricks.  You love to watch super heros but mommy doesn't like you to watch them.  You love square sandwiches and get very upset when they are rectangles.  You love yogurt, "chef-ba-oree (chef-boyardee) pizza in a box and berries.  I love that you will dip spinach in ranch.  I love the pictures you draw for our family.  I just love your curiosity about the world and your excitement to learn about everything.  You can be intense at times  (kind of like your mommy) but I know that it only comes from your desire to control this big world.  I hope that you realize sooner than I did, that there are so many things that you are just not going to be able to control.  I hope you learn to let them go.  Wait, you are beginning to learn to let things go and I am so proud of you.  I love you Charlie and I want you to be good to the world and I want the world to be good to you.  Happy Birthday Buddy! 
Love, Mommy

say what?

My latest parenting push seems to be foreign languages.  After talking with a good friend, it seems that we both feel like a second language would benefit our children.  I was inspired by a family I used to babysit in college.  There little Hannah was 3 and learning German.  They used a series called, Muzzy.   I found it entertaining and she laughed at way more German humor than I did.  Currently the kids are watching Muzzy in Mandarin Chinese.  When I told Charlie that he was going to learn a secret language called Chinese he said,
"Will I look different?"
I laughed!


Just another funny thang,
Daddy was eatin' Mary Kate up, nibble, nibble because she is so edible.  He said, "I am going to eat you up, you taste so good."
She says, "No, No Daddy, I'm not for dinner"
I laughed again!

Spring is here....Just kidding

Just a few pics during the few nice days in February.  Welcome back February, ice and snow today.  February is the longest shortest month of the year.

She loves that dog!

I love that little face! And man, he can hit the ball!

I love this man!

Monster Mini Golf

I was bound and determined to find indoor putt putt golf to please my almost 5 year old.  We only had to drive an hour and half up to Jessup, MD and it was glow in the dark too!  Good thing we were heading that way for Madison's birthday party. Turned out to be a hit, golf and the party.  Charlie and Mary Kate enjoyed the Princess Party.  However, I think the adults ended up with more nail polish, lipstick and blush that the kids, hahahaha.  Good times!