Elizabeth (and we) had a fabulous time in D.C. Many, many thanks to Rachel, Julius, and family. Elizabeth really enjoyed spending time with you, and will undoubtedly be talking about Lilah and Aaron for some time!

We got in Wednesday, and had just enough time to go see the dinosaurs and then walk down to the Washington Monument. Thursday Chris worked (SliverDocs Festival) while Elizabeth and I spent more time at the Smithsonian, Natural History (bugs and dirt) and Air and Space. Friday he worked again while we went to see the pandas at the zoo with Aaron and Lilah.

Saturday we saw an awesome play put on by Lilah, Aaron, Elizabeth and another visiting friend — many princesses, witches, and a singing pirate. Then the National Building Museum, which has a great play area, and the tidal basin. We went for pizza afterwards and Elizabeth fell asleep on my lap before the pizza even arrived — it’s possible we wore her out.

Sunday we got up and met Niki for breakfast up in Silver Spring, and played in the very nice fountain there, then came back and hung out at the house — Elizabeth got her first real nap in 4 days, while Chris and I trekked to the National Cathedral and back. Then one final expedition Sunday night for Chinese food and chocolate (well, the chocolate was a happy surprise).

We got home last night, and were all happy to see our own beds. This morning she and I had a swim lesson, and now she’s back with her friends at school.

Also, welcome to Basia and Joe’s two new little ones, Maggie and Ben! Careful, the kids outnumber you now.

We were lazy this morning. At one point she was playing with play-doh, and told me “I made a lady!” To which I pretty much just said “uh huh” and kept surfing the web. It was only later that I saw the lady in question, made not from play-doh but from three different play-doh toys:

Then, this afternoon I took her to a little natural science museum on the UT campus. It’s not all that big or impressive, but it met my basic criteria: (1) it has dinosaurs and other cool stuff, (2) it’s free, and (3) it’s air conditioned (it’s currently about 100F here in Austin). She liked the pterosaur hanging in the big hall and the mosasaur, and she correctly pointed out the triceratops from a field of different dinosaurs. I am proud. But what she seemed to like the best was where they had little bugs pinned in little magnifying cases. The only drawback is she had to stand on a tall wooden stool to see them. Hey, at least now we know, when my over-protective Mommy side comes head to head with my science geek side, what will win out. (But I promise I was standing RIGHT there.)

We were talking last night at book club about books for the little ones, and how we all have certain ones we love reading, and others that well, we’re kind of sick of. So I thought I’d list a few of our favorites at the moment. Note that I speak only for myself and (some) for Elizabeth — I think Chris’ list might be different.

Anything with Curious George. Elmo is so 2008. Personally, I’m a bit bored with George, but Elizabeth can not get enough of his adventures.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. We actually got this for free with a Chick-fil-a kid’s meal – much better than a piece of plastic junk. I’ve checked out some of the other books by the same author, but so far this is the best, I think.

Danny and the Dinosaur. This is one I always remembered from when I was little, and we just got it for Elizabeth. Danny goes to the dinosaur museum, one of the dinosaurs comes to life, and they (and the other kids) have a wonderful day exploring the city and playing hide and seek. Just trust me on this one.

Clifford the small red puppy. The “origin story” of Clifford. Another favorite from my own childhood.

Green Eggs and Ham. I love reading this one. For her part, Elizabeth prefers “Red Fish, Blue Fish,” which I find completely annoying.

How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? Fun, beautifully drawn, and it gives you a little ammunition if anyone should try to, say, add to the bedtime routine.

The Monster at the end of this book. Grover at his finest. I have always loved this book. “Did you know that you are very strong?” Hee.

Froggy bakes a cake. This is probably one of Elizabeth’s biggest favorites that doesn’t involve George. So much so that I’m a little bored. Fortunately, she now has it memorized, anyway.

Little Quack’s New Friend. I love to read this; it’s fun and onomatopoeic. I think Chris finds it annoying, though, so your mileage may vary.

Summer is officially here. Yesterday I went to the Akins High School graduation, all decked out in my academic robe and hood. At the end they dropped hundreds of blue and gold balloons from the ceiling, so I snagged one for Miss Elizabeth — it’s bigger than she is.

Which means, of course, that school’s out! I survived an entire school year. I have all sorts of plans, including tutoring for hire, planning out projects for next year’s classes, sorting through the boxes in the closet under the stairs, and going to Mommy and Me swim lessons at the Y with Elizabeth.

Yesterday also included the season’s first visit to the New Orleans Snowball stand. She and I split a medium strawberry flavored one, and I showed her the finer points of snow cone / snowball eating; the trading off between the spoon and the straw. She wanted to just hog the straw, of course.

Today we’re having a nice time at home, and she’s helping me get the laundry done.

Elizabeth’s Grandpa and Grandma Mary are here visiting (my Dad and Step-Mom), so we’re having fun. They got in just before dinner last night. Today we drove down to Landa Park in New Braunfels, and rode the train and walked around a bit. It’s hot, though. Tomorrow I think we’re hoping to get in a few local geocaches and generally hang around Austin.

Oh, and an update: The last couple nights she hasn’t even mentioned bouncing on the couch, so naturally neither have we. Perhaps she sensed that we were getting slightly annoyed. Or she actually heard us plotting to move the couch to Chris’ new office if things didn’t change.