Sprite update

Since yesterday Thomas has been walking around saying "Me Sprite!".

I finally decided to see if he actually knew what he was talking about, or just liked the phrase.

Me: Thomas, what's sprite?

Thomas: Cold wawa (water for those who don't speak toddler).

Yep, with the information he has, that's probably a pretty accurate description of a Sprite.

Too bad words don't have the power to bring him what he wants.

A Sprite

We were having a playful discussion about Clare's diminutive stature.

Clare: So what am I?

Me: You're a shrimp.

John: You're a sprite.

Clare: I'm a sugar candy drink.

Thomas: Me Sprite!

Obviously

Dad: Boys, why is there a pile of legos at the bottom of the stairs?

Gregory: (without even a thought) because we were killing ants.

Of course, why didn't I think of that.

A Makeover Story

Having a slow day?  Here is Clare's solution

Convince your little brothers that you want to give them a makeover and dress them up.

Spend the next 2 hours finding clothes and accessories that you can use, including every single hair clip that you own.

 Spend the 2 hours after that finding and putting away all of the bows, clips and dresses that the boys have discarded as the day went on.

Sunshiny Day

Playground ala Gregory

After the farm we headed to a playground for lunch.

While I only snapped a couple of pictures, Gregory took quite a few.

Mine:

 Gregory's:

I always find it interesting to see what they think should make a picture.

Shadows and things on the ground stand out, so do faces, and motion.

Claude Moore Farm

We had a lovely opportunity to visit Claude Moore Colonial Farm with our good friends.

If you've ever visited Mt. Vernon in Northern VA, you've seen how George Washington and the rich lived back in the colonial days.

Claude Moore Farm is the poor man's Mount Vernon.   If you had owned your own small farm you probably would have done many of these things.

While it appears life was very hard for them, it was fun for the kids to learn about.

Carding and Spinning Wool

Pounding Corn for your daily bread 

 Making Candles

 Playing Kid Games

 Seeing the Pigs

 Perhaps Chatting with a Friend

 And Visiting the Geese

 Thomas' only thought:  This is interesting and all, but why do I have to ride in the stroller the whole time?



Park Pics

I've been having problems uploading pictures so these are from the past several weeks.

We've been enjoying the parks here in Ashburn.

Setting Up Shop

One of Clare's favorite way to practice adding and subtracting money is to play shop.

Each bowl has items that are worth 1, 5, 10, or 25 cents.

She is given a handful of change and told buy exactly that amount.  Therefore she must add up the change and the items.

We play several variations of this game including one where her brothers pick out items and she has to determine if they have enough money.

Clare has also figured out why toddlers are not allowed to shop by themselves.  Thomas tends to have a destructive effect on her goods when he comes in the shop.