helping in the kitchen

Maren is a great little kitchen helper (or as Aunt Cari calls her "a little cooking girl"). She's usually ready to push a chair over to the counter and get her hands sticky with mom. On Sunday, she helped make rolls for dinner.



Playing at the park is a fun way to wait for the dough to rise.

Baltimore Aquarium

On Friday, Aunt Cari and cousins Annie and Taylor took us to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The night before our big adventure, I was listing all the fish we would see at the aquarium. "Sharks, turtles, frogs, Nemo, Dory..." Maren added, "And mermaids." I didn't have the heart to tell her mermaids don't exist, so I just replied, "Maybe." We still had an awesome time and even got to see a diver feed a sea turtle, which was Maren's favorite part. And she never even mentioned the mermaids.






Afterward, we went to lunch and Maren entertained herself by chasing a few unfortunate pigeons.

On top of spaghetti

You know you've made a good dinner when your daughter runs into the kitchen exclaiming, "Hurray, spaghetti!" (Maren's small appetite has become even smaller since getting a cold this week, so I really enjoyed watching her eat a full meal.)

before church

I always want to take a photo of Maren before church, when she is freshly bathed and dressed up, but usually I am too rushed to remember. Couldn't help myself today...she looked too pretty!

National Museum of Natural History

Since I found out we were moving to the Washington, DC area, I have fantasized about mother/daughter trips I would frequently (and with ease) take to our nation's capital. Since moving over six months ago, we have only taken one trip into DC. Unfortunately, reality can put a damper on ambitious plans. Besides living further away from the city than I anticipated, the roads and traffic are notoriously bad. It has also been a very cold winter. In summary, our happy little DC trips are not the 15 minute Metro excursions I envisioned.

But, that is all just an excuse. I don't know how long we will live out east. I also know I have a small window of time with one child who is old enough to enjoy the sites without being too difficult. I would be very regretful if I didn't seize the day.

I decided to be adventurous today and drive into DC! Our trip was flawless. We visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. The weather was unseasonably warm. The traffic was manageable. I found a parking space in front of the Natural History Museum and only paid $4 for 2 hours. The museum wasn't busy...we even had the butterfly pavilion all to ourselves! I just pushed an empty stroller and let Maren lead the way. She visited the Hall of Mammals three times and held a caterpillar. Happy to report that the trip was worth the effort and I am feeling super confident about the whole thing!

To be continued at the Carousel...

Smithsonian Carousel

After visiting the Natural History Museum, we walk out onto the Mall to find the Smithsonian Carousel. I wanted Maren to ride on the dragon but she refused and we both agreed on a zebra.

Happy Balentine's Day

Maren has wished me a sincere "Happy Balentine's Day, Mama" at least fifteen times today. On Saturday, Chris took her on a secret errand without me (home alone for an hour...I forgot how nice that is) and Maren announced to me later, "Getting a Balentine's Day present. What is it?" I was pleasantly surprised with flowers and chocolates (and also this tote).