Nickolas is Fee (3 Years Old): Choo Choo, Iceskating, and Dinosaur Bones

Nickolas had a special day with lots of excitement for his 3rd birthday. Instead of dealing with traffic and parking, we took the subway (Metro) choo choo into the city, which took us very close to our destination -- the National Sculpture Garden Ice Skating Rink! And, it just so happened the Natural History Museum is next door with dinosaur bones (Nickolas has been enjoying a certain cartoon lately called "Dinosaur Train")! In between skating and bones, we enjoyed lunch at the cafe off of the rink.


Waiting for the choo choo.

On the choo choo crossing the Potomac River.

We're here at the Sculpture Garden!

I'm ready to skate!

Thank goodness for this wall.

Nickolas, like his favorite cartoon character Caillou, fell down on the ice. What fun!

Perhaps I'll try once more?

That's enough, time to sit. Mommy says I have great ankle strength, though.

Ready for lunch.

Neat shiny silver tree sculpture. We'll have to check it out again once everything is green, since it fit right in with the snow.

Garden walk.

Now to the Natural History Museum!

Dinosaur bones!

More dinosaur bones!

And, to top off a perfect day, one (of a very few) of Washington's finest, the DCFD.

Nickolas is Now FEE (3 Years Old): Cake and Presents

Nickolas had his friend Greta, Henry, and Meike over for birthday cake after a fun-filled day. They helped him open birthday presents and had fun with the firestation. Nickolas enjoyed his birthday song as well as the glow of the candles before he blew them out.

Firetruck Station! and Police Station! and Helicopter! With, of course, all of Nickolas's other firetrucks.

2010 Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies

In the winter Olympic spirit. With torch, cauldron, and SNOW!


I'm ready to compete!

Torch relay.

Lighting of the cauldron:

Lucy's turn with the torch.

With daddy all lit up - let the games begin!

U.S.A.!

Aimee on top of Whistler Mountain in 2003 when they were bidding the 2010 Olympics.

Snowmaggedon, Snowpocalypse, Snowpocalypse Part Deux...

Aimee wanted snow, and snow she got! A week ago, we got about 6 inches although that melted quickly by the following day. Two days later, it snowed and snowed and snowed until about 2 feet fell in the yard over the weekend. Now, it's Wednesday, and we're expecting another 10 inches, or so. We went out driving and there is a lot of snow out there making the roads narrow and grocery stores with empty shelves. The snowfall has truly been historic.


Nickolas and mommy made snowflake magnets before the big storm with paint and glitter glue.

With about 9 more inches to go in the weekend storm, our power lines to the house became loose. Dan climbed a ladder and wove it through the tree so it would clear the road and taped the excess to the tree.

Aimee and Nickolas literally sitting in the road. The plow only cleared about 40% of the street leaving us with about 10 feet to shovel from our driveway to the road.

Nickolas very busy with his shovel making way for the latest storm.

Taking a walk on Super Bowl Sunday into 'town' to see what was open.

Nickolas and Lucy who had a bumpy but warm ride.

Seated at Guapo's (pretending to be at apres ski).

Lucy and Aimee.

Cheers.

Watching big brother shovel warm in her cozy fuzzy pjs.

Nickolas the "Little Olympian": HOCKEY

Nickolas had his second "Little Olympian" class today down the street. Last week was basketball and today was hockey! Nickolas had a blast and had excellent form (wearing the white tshirt and green pants).

The kids sit in the 'circle' for their instruction.

Then they do warm-up drills.

Coach Alex showed each of the kids how to hold the hockey stick.

Nickolas did a great job maintaining his form.

And made good contact with the ball.

Being cheered on by his number one fan.

Another drill.

Cool down time.