Happy Labor Day

We're having a nice relaxing day so far. We made pancakes this morning, and then went on a little hike around Teddy Roosevelt Island. Sadie was in heaven with all the steps to climb on. On our way back home we stopped at the Italian Store and devoured two of their subs. Yum. Here are a couple of pictures from Ali's cell phone, because I forgot the camera. And my wallet. It was that kind of morning...



We rarely use the cell camera, and there were a few shots on there that I'd never uploaded to the computer. This one made me chuckle. This is from a few weeks ago when we all went to the Shenandoah Brewery, and Jake was playing on this rocking horse while I was in the back bottling my beer.


Oh, by the way, if you're interested in Labor related issues on Labor Day, or any other day, check out Robert Reich's blog. He was Clinton's Secretary of Labor and always has interesting things to say.

The Travels of the Piston Cup

Today was another installment of "Crazy Monday" where I had the kids and Ali went in to do some work at Sunrise. I told Jake we'd make it interesting and take pictures of the Piston Cup wherever we went today. First stop, the fish tank at my doctor's office...


Here we are driving. This shot was taken at a stoplight, with the camera facing backwards and me looking at the LCD viewfinder through the rearview mirror.


Here we are at McDonalds, eating breakfast, after we realized that REI wasn't open yet. Yes, Jake requested ketchup with his pancakes.
Even Sadie got into the Piston Cup game.
Here's Jake at REI, in front of his favorite bike, the "Mini Rod".
And here's Jake holding the Piston Cup high atop Test Hiking Shoe Mountain:
Our big activity for the day was "Toddler Time" at Gadsby's Tavern in Old Town(e) Alexandria. They open up the ballroom for Moms, or caregivers, or even Dads (yes I was the only Dad there) and their kids.

OK, no Piston Cup here, but I thought it was a cute pic of Jake and a friend playing in the best toy at Gadsby's Tavern: a cardboard box.
After playtime at Gadsby's Tavern, Jake insisted we go play in the rain at the big public square and fountain area. It was about 45 degrees and the kids got so soaked climbing and rolling around on the ground, I thought someone might call child protective services. But they (Sadie epsecially) did NOT want to leave this magically wet and cold place!
I finally convinced them to leave with the promise of lunch. Here's the Piston Cup at Chipotle, wtih able hands in the background making tacos. I was happy to prove that a family of three can in fact feast on one Chipotle Burrito. It was a fun morning, and the kids rewarded me with extra long naps. When Ali called at 4 to say she was ready to be picked up, I told her that Sadie had just woken up, and that Jake was still sleeping. And, I even got a nap in myself. She replied something like, "oh isn't that great for you because THAT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE NORM WHEN I'M THERE!"