Hodges, Party of Four

When do two couples with 4 children each ever get to go out on a date together?  Rarely if ever!  So what a treat to get to go down to the District with our friends Beau and Malia Powers.  We metroed in from different spots and met up at the historic Old Ebbitt Grill for dinner.  We walked to the White House to gaze upon it in all it's glowy prettiness.  Then we went to the P.O.V,, a hip newly redone bar with a terrace overlooking the White House and with a great view of the city in general.  It was definitely hip and happening and we felt a bit OLD (although there were visibly older people there), but we really enjoyed it.  Well, except for my nasty mojito.  C'mon people.  Oh well. 

Soccer

Mac started soccer a Saturday ago in a league that teaches basic skills using fun games, and they don't play real "games."  I think it's a good approach, and the coaches are really great at what they do.  Mac is not so sure he likes it, despite his excitement talking about it during the week; but here he his having fun chasing Jay while dribbling the ball.

And Harry, who wants to do everything Mac does, watching.  He's ready.  He's thinking, "if only they'd give me a chance!" 

Mount Vernon

I discovered this tree which I think is another Blue Atlas cedar like the one at Oatlands.  It's official.  I'm a tree nerd.

There was a re-enactment at Mt. Vernon so there was an encampment and horses.  We missed most of the action but it was neat to see the tents and reenactors.

Maryland Science Center

I mentioned that we spent a day recently at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore.  They were having special programs for homeschoolers and it was way cheaper than normal admission so we jumped at the chance.  It is a really wonderful place to explore and learn.  The kids had so much fun- here are a few favorite moments.

Diggin' up bones.

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We just studied archaeology in Ruthie's history curriculum, so this was an exciting experience.

Dinos!



A friendly tarantula.

The footsteps of giants.  Mac thought it was so cool to step in a dinosaur footprint.

Mac on a bed of nails!  Super cool.

Harry exploring his (fake) tarantulas.  The kids also got to play with real worms.

The dearest freshness

The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; Bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man's smudge and shares man's smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.

And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

-Gerard Manley Hopkins (one of my favorite poets)

Puddle Jumper

Peter- 6 months old

Peter is 6 months old and just a sweet, mostly easy-going baby.  His blue eyes have stuck around, and his hair is pretty light with a reddish tint in certain light.  He still sucks his thumb, and he is still nursing 4 times a day.  He eats solids, but has to stick his thumb in his mouth after a bite in order to swallow and therefore the process of feeding him is very messy.  (Harris used to do this same thing, and he was a thumb sucker too.) 

He is now rolling around to get to what he'd like to see, and we're starting to watch out for things in his vicinity.  Harry also likes to hand him fun things like acorns and pennies, so we've had a few nice talks about such practices.  Pete is smiley and happy and really loves to be held.  He is the snuggliest of my babies and will still let me rock him to sleep occasionally.  I guess being number four you cling to any and all forms of affection from busy Mommy. 

He's been so healthy- his first and only fever virus was a few weeks ago when he caught a mild case of Hand, Foot and Mouth, from....guess who......his generous brother Harry!  (Poor little Harry's case was awful.  What a terrible virus.)  He adores his big brothers and sister, and lights up when they come around.  He watches everything they do intently...taking notes, no doubt for when he can join in all the fun.  Won't be long!

Peter is a joy and we love him to pieces. 

We visited the Maryland Science Center last week and met some Millipedes with great names.  Petey and Alan!  What other baby has Millipedes named after him?  Super cool.

Peter's Baptism: August 12, 2011

"Peter Alan Hodges,

Child of the Covenant, I baptize you in the name of the Father

 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Middleburg, VA

Middleburg, VA is in the heart of horse and wine country and it is really an adorable, picturesque town.  We had fun exploring a little bit and we'd love to return for one of their fox hunts.

Cute and clever name for a coffee shop in horse country. 

Seriously?  This is Middleburg's auto parts store.   

They have fox hunts in Middleburg as well as foxhound shows, polo, races and other equestrian events.  The fox theme is seen throughout the town.