Saturday with Team Griffin
It's hard to imagine a more perfect DC Griffin day. 80 degrees and sunny, blue skies, zoo morning complete with seal training, panda sighting and matching swag. Afternoon lounging at the house followed by neighborhood kid-bar-crawl. Serious bonding, snuggling, chasing, giggling with Dylan and Mac.
How we love this crew!
Favorite Song
Still going strong since she discovered it at Leo's first birthday party in July...
"Harper wear boots"
The first words out of her mouth this morning.
Late Night Snuggles
I was out of town this weekend and got home after Harper was in bed last night. It's not easy to miss a second of her weekend when I'm spending the week at work. I of course insisted in scooping her out of bed after I got home for just one snuggle, and could be creepily found here:
Thank goodness I did not take the crazy job I thought about taking earlier this year. This would be me every night!
The Considerate Dictator, en espanol.
Gladys sent me this video of Harper last week. She's apparently telling Gladys that Lily and Leito want to paint (color), and is then insisting that Gladys also paint. My girlfriend watched this and said, "we call this being a considerate dictator."
Her Spanish blew me away. This week's to-do list includes downloading some Spanish 101 podcasts and checking out a bilingual nursery school for when she turns 3!
Friday Fashion
Nothing like a pajama-wearing, Elmo-toting strut down the catwalk before breakfast.
Elmo Jacket
Harper is pumped about her new fall attire. Daddy came home with a new jacket for her yesterday, and she's been insisting on taking in on her Bruno walks ever since. With Elmo, in his "Elmo jacket."
Leo Weekend
These two best friends spent the weekend together at our house while Maria and Jon were out of town. Harper played big sister over many meals, very hot soccer practice while Darren coached Anders' team (we doused them in water- that's not sweat!) and bath time. Big sister came with appropriately adorable moments of holding Leo's bottle, patting his head lovingly, and asking "where Leito?" as soon as she woke up and before she went to bed. It also came with expected power struggles (over the car, the alligator, the puzzle, Bruno, and mama). Luckily, for this one moment in time, it's a bit of a fair fight between these two. Until a week from now, when Leo begins to tower over her for the rest of her life.
We had such fun!
Labor Day Love
Harper giggled her way through the weekend with Zio and MoMo (and Isa!) while we snuck away for a little anniversary overnight in Harper's Ferry (it's only fitting). Naturally, she learned how to speak Italian:
And how to "blink"...
And, apparently, how to fake laugh!
She took MoMo and Zio for multiple walks around the block, gave Zio his very own pony, and generally beamed her way through several outings around town.
Meanwhile, we celebrated six years of marriage, one amazing munchkin and another on the way by golfing, eating, strolling, lounging and being kids again.
Harper got a kick out of the video of mommy and daddy tubing!
And Darren discovered a whole new talent for making these cool video collages:
HOW LUCKY ARE WE?!?!
THANK YOU MoMo and Zio!!
"Mommy Come"
I'm still sorting through the bazillions of photos and videos of our little anniversary overnight away and Harper's wonderful weekend with MoMo and Zio. In the meantime, here's a glimpse into our daily routine - Harper dictating the exact steps associated with our departure from Gladys'. As you can see, she does everything herself (or just "mine"), from the gate closing to the ramp walking to the lunch bag carrying... Independent little lady! (And mom continues to remind me that my favorite phrase at this age was "by self!")
Little Fish
One more Cabin video!
Kid Paradise
This girl is really good at vacation.
The swimming, the digging, the corn-holing. The hammocking. The pajama dance partying. Did I mention the digging?
Harper soaks up every bit. And generally loves rolling in a pack of five (older cool kids). She had a smile plastered to her face for the entire weekend (at times only to be replaced by a look of sheer determination). And we had an absolute blast.
What a spectacular place with spectacular friends. Thank you Hulls!
...and we can't wait to repeat this picture for the next twenty years!
Water Dog!
Saturday was apparently national dog day. And to celebrate, Bruno decided to become a Labrador!
More to come soon on our awesome weekend at the Hulls.
Cabin Weekend!
We're at Stef's family's "cabin" - aka newly remodeled house where the cabin used to be. And it's the total best. More to come!
It's a...
boy!!
First Crush
On Sunday, Harper and Henry took in the entire Oxon Hill Farm and waterfront holding hands.
And, Daddy seems to routinely leave the house with his hair in a pony these days... ❤️
The Adventures of Harper and Leo
... Baby pool addition!
Poopy in the Potty
(And on the floor.) What a night!