Let's catch up...

Labor day we went to the National Zoo (or "yooo", as Ruby pronounces it). Here are some of the better pictures.

The Giant Panda

Those were the only pictures worth looking at.

Then we had enough time to see the Washington Monument,

and the Lincoln Memorial.

I decided to take a series of pictures of Ruby at nap time.

She wouldn't take off the backpack, and yes, her knee is in the air.

To be continued...

But here's another good one of Rubles sporting her big girl "Snow White" panties, a fancy nighty cover-up that has become part of our dress-up stash, and she tops it off with a gorgeous tiara worn as a belt! She's innovative!

Here's a new look to that same cute face we all know and love.

Anne has been begging me for a "hair trim" like her friend Hannah--"and you mom!"

Bangs

Lots of Lucy lovin'

Some more to enjoy -- I love these!

To the BEACH!!

We had a fabulous time playing in the sun and the sand.

Good times.

(I think this is the only picture of our new red van. We love it, by the way.)

Sea shell hunting with her friend Erika.

Fort Macon

A Trip to the Museum

One Saturday we went to the proving grounds to look around a bit and we took a self guided tour of the museum there. --Which mostly consisted of us wandering this field, looking at the tanks (and the large cool spiderwebs on the tanks) and guns. The indoor part of the museum was in the process of being moved, so we contented ourselves with tanks. Here are a few pics for your enjoyment. I only took one picture of a plaque for you to read, Dad. Sorry.

This one below was built for clearing a mine field. Not shoveling snow.

Wait for it...

HERE's the plaque!

Um, Here is Ruby in a tank field.

And I love Lucy

Don't you?!

-most especially in those jammers-

Potty Train (ed?)

Mission accomplished!

I've been without transportation for a month or so (Randy takes the car to work every day), so since its no fun to go places with a potty trainee in tow, we figured it was a good time to train her. Ruby's out of a diaper, and lovin' every minute of it!

She really was pretty awesome to train.--Nighttime and naps included.

Here she is with the bribery: panties to wear and a candy bar!!!

(one for her and one for Anne--in the hopes that Anne would be helpful and encouraging)

A Chart to record successes. She loved putting stickers on it!

SUCCESS!!! They were hers for the taking.

Here is the finished chart. She chose to ignore the days and use the corners, as you can see.

Whatever, as long as she's motivated to use the potty, right?

Woo hoo!! Back to only one in diapers at our house. Phew.