We went to church in person for the first time since COVID as a family and it felt wonderful. The atmosphere was alive and it really felt joyous to be amongst so many others celebrating. While I know COVID is still going around, I no longer have any anxiety over us getting it.
Despite a chill in the air, it was a sunny beautiful day. The Easter Bunny arrived in the morning. The girls are barely able to sit across one stair anymore!
We captured a family pic on the way out.
A walk to Whole Foods through the Town Green led us to a Town Green Easter Egg Hunt that the girls participated in for a few minutes.
My parents, sister, and the boys arrived around lunchtime, and we had our first Easter Egg Hunt. We modified the color scheme that we normally do as we didn’t think a 3.5-year-old would grasp the concept of only picking up select colors. Anyone could pick any eggs they found up to a certain number in which they had to wait for everyone to get that number before running off for the next round. Avery re-injured her foot during one of the last races.
First the obligatory Easter Basket picture with the girls.
The boys joined them.
Added a few more to the mix.
And then they were off!
My mom was just as into it! I think deep down she wanted to join in the hunt!
Chocolate and candy were sampled.
A little playtime and bike riding and a lot of afternoon cooking. Emerson wanted to make beef bourgeoise, which is no simple task. Her and I spent most the afternoon in the kitchen. The downstairs was bright and airy, and we watched everyone outside while we prepped and cooked.
A second smaller hunt occurred in the evening. This time jellybeans were the surprise.
My parents came back in the evening, and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner cooked by Emerson and myself.
It was so great to be celebrating another weekend with my family.
The 2nd Annual Baking Challenge occurred this past weekend. Whether we were going to make it was TBD for a few weeks as the date was the Sunday after Katy’s wedding and we had originally been planning on spending the night in Leesburg after the wedding.
This competition proved to be fierce last year and the girls were all in for this year. As such, I cancelled the Saturday evening hotel reservations, went ingredient shopping Friday, and the girls started baking Saturday.
Emerson – Emerson chose to make a lemon bundt cake with lemon icing. Her first one was delicious but the top stuck to the pan! SO, she had to make it a second time. The good news is that we were able to taste the first one and make a few slight modifications (slightly more lemon zest) and it took her considerably less time to make the second cake since she knew what she was doing. She made a delicious icing Sunday, and her cake earned her 3rd place!
Avery – Avery originally wanted to make a zebra cake as did Harper. Avery does not generally help me out much in the kitchen or even know where a lot of the stuff is located in the kitchen so I felt like she shouldn’t make something so complex. With the wedding, I didn’t know how I was going to help their girls make three separate things in the time we had. So Avery ended up going to my parents’ house and making my sister’s famous chocolate chip cookies. They made the dough and she shaped and baked the cookies Sunday just before we went to the event. They were delicious as always. The cookies were a hit! When Jack went for his second cookie, he said “these cookies are out of this world”. Rumor has it that the judges were also disappointed that they only received one cookie to share! The crowd devoured the cookies…there wasn’t a single one left. To my surprise, Avery did not win a prize. Perhaps because it was just a cookie…but it was not just a cookie…it was the world’s best chocolate chip cookie! If there was an award for crowd favorite, she would have secured that in a second!
Harper – Harper made a zebra cake. The recipe was somewhat complex and the amount of batter that the recipe should have yielded came up short and I’m still not sure why. With my guidance we split the two batters but the chocolate was so much thinner than the white batter. To thicken it up we added flour, which changed the consistency. There was leftover chocolate batter so Sunday morning I made a small cake with it so we could taste the cake. Harper said it was good, but truth was it was pretty bad! I was almost about to tell her we were going to make a new cake to go along with the delicious cream cheese buttercream frosting and raspberry filling she had made. But I quickly realized it was her cake, not mine, and she was happy with it. I helped her ice the cake…I probably did more than I should have with actually icing it…the perfectionist in me really wanted to test out my skills on the turntable! Turns out the competition cake was better than the one I made that morning with the leftover batter. Harper earned herself 2nd place!
We had a sugar high all day. I froze the remaining cake for a special treat another day. All the participants did great. The girls had a great time and I’m sure are already looking forward to next year.
My cousin Katy is married! She married Conner, who she has been dating for at least 8 years, this past weekend. My sister, Gabriel, Noah, and Elias came into town. Our whole family took up an entire table! Noah couldn’t get enough of the dance floor. We were the old people at the wedding. Oh how times have changed from when we were in our 20’s at a wedding! Bringing our kids to the wedding was neat though…a different kind of enjoyment.
We escaped a long weekend in Rehobeth the first weekend of Spring Break. Our neighborhood friends Bob and Cindy offered for us to stay in their beach house and we took them up on their offer. The weather was chilly; however, we welcomed it because the original forecast was calling for rain all weekend long.
Their house was a five-ten minute walk from the main strip and a 12 minute walk to the beach. Our kids have never been to a boardwalk or a busy beach before and we had a great time walking around and exploring. We drank a few beers, ate yummy ice-cream twice from Kilwin’s twice, and ate a combination of good food (Dogfish Head and Egg), not so good food (Nicola pizza) and in between (Salt Air).
We window shopped along the boardwalk, we shopped at the Outlets, we got caught up in the hype of the arcade, and we almost didn’t return to avoid having to drive over The Chesapeake Bay Bridge again.
I think April Fools Day may be Harper’s most favorite day of the year other than her birthday and Christmas. She woke up cheerful and ready to start pranking. Food coloring was the major accessory in pranking Justin and me. First Justin in the morning; she filled his water bottle with green food coloring. She added yellow food coloring and mayo to Emerson’s scrambled eggs. And she made me a grilled cheese with bright yellow cream cheese. We were onto her pretty quickly with the food pranks.
Her best prank she kept as an idea and it was the best one yet.
When the girls were each three years old, they began dancing at Cuppetts. When they all reached kindergarten, they began Daisys. Then in first grade for Emerson and Harper and third for Avery, all three of them played soccer. Avery and Emerson, being twins, were in some of the same activities at the same time, making logistics easier.
By 5th and 3rd grades for the girls, they were each doing different activities and shuffling them around and supporting their various activities required its own calendar and a lot of communication to make sure they each get where they are supposed to be!
Emerson – Currently playing softball on a house league team this spring. Practicing several times a week at 643 in Ashburn. Was taking a HipHop class in the Fall at Velocity but switched over in the Winter to a Contemporary class at Born-to-Dance, which she takes place Monday nights. Playing clarinet at school. Girls on the Run starts up again at school Tuesdays and Thursday mornings next week, which she will participate.
Avery – Currently sitting out of all activities as she sprained her ankle pretty badly about a month ago. Receiving PT twice a week and doing it at home every day not at PT. She is currently enrolled in two dance classes at Cuppetts (Cechetti and Ballet 3) on Friday nights. Wednesday, she has a gymnastics class at Fairfax Gymnastics. Thursdays she has gymnastics at Vienna Community Center. Girls on the Run starts up again at school Tuesdays and Thursday mornings next week. Hoping her ankle gets stronger soon so she can start participating in all her activities again no later than the end of this month.
Harper – Currently playing soccer on a house league team this spring. Just finished Frosty Fields Winter Soccer season. Was taking a HipHop class in the Fall at Velocity but switched over in the Winter to a Contemporary class at Born-to-Dance, which she takes place Tuesday nights. Does Brownies. Girls on the Run starts up again at school Tuesdays and Thursday mornings next week, which she will participate.
Justin and I just trying to do our best to support them and cover all ground between ourselves and with the help of my parents and carpooling neighbors!
Back in 2015, I decided I wanted to write down funny things the girls said because I knew they would likely outgrow them with experience and age. I started out strong and then forgot about doing such, remembering occasionally during a year to completely forgetting almost four years ago and recently stumbled upon what I had written. So here are some of the funny things the girls said in their earlier years.
Avery in response to me saying Grandma Adele was old:
Avery: She isn’t old, she just uses a cane. – Fall 2015
Harper in response to Justin peeing with her nearby in the bathroom.
Harper: Daddy, what are you squeezing? – Fall 2015
Avery in response to putting on a winter hat. – December 2015
Avery: This hat SUCKS
Emerson asked if Justin could mail a hand drawn picture to baby God for his birthday – December 2015
Emerson in response to hearing something she doesn’t want.
Emerson: FINE, fine, fine, fine (with the tone of a 15 year old girl). – Jan 2016
Emerson in response to not wanting to clean up the playroom – 1/2/16
Emerson: It gives me allergies to clean up. For real.
Avery told Justin to stop yawning while reading books in bed because its so rude -Feb 2016
Avery and Harper: “Okay, Mommy Madusa” – repeatedly Summer/Fall 2016
On Mother’s Day, Avery shared that Mommys are smarter than Daddy’s – May 2016
All the Girls – This entire past year to present (August 2016) – Whausay? Instead of “What did you say”…they say it real fast….reminds me of “What you talking about Willis”
Avery in response to what I should do with the Thank You card that Ms. Duffett gave her for the Holiday Gift Card Avery gave her. “Mom, can you put this in my baby book. I might want to read it when I’m in high school.” – Dec 2016
Harper – All the time in December 2016 – “What the hecker?” – in terms of what the heck?
Harper when I was taking her to the bathroom at our neighbors The Fosters and she saw there was a window in the bathroom. Harper: “What is that!” Me: “A window”. Harper: “A window in the bathroom! What the hecka? That’s WEIRD!”
Emerson and Avery having a heated discussion – they were trying to resolve a situation on their own…Emerson was quite frustrated talking with her hands and Avery was fairly calm. They were both sitting looking each other in the eye when they spoke. Emerson was getting frustrated and said “We have a problem, we need to solve this Avery!” – Jan 2017
Avery – in general says “seriously”, “for example”, and “literally” when having conversations – Feb 2017
Emerson upon me bending over without a shirt on…”why is your belly so wrinkly…ballerinas don’t have wrinkly bellies.” My response…well I don’t know…it just is. A Ballerina?” Emerson said, “yeah, you were a ballerina when you were a kid”. – March 2017
Avery made me a painting. I asked her what she used. She said “oil pistachios”. Justin said you mean “oil pastels?” to which she replied, yes – March 2017
“For real” or “for real life” – all three girls when they are trying to prove a point that something is true. – May 2017
After visiting Grandma Brenda at the cemetery and asking about everyone that was buried there, Avery said “Man, it’s going to be crowded in heaven by the time I get there. Later, in the car ride home she asked if we knew what night we would die. After Justin explained that only God knows, Avery waited about 15 minutes and then said’ In my sixties, I am going to start wearing pajamas so I won’t have to go to heaven naked. – November 2017
May 2018 – Dinner conversation – somehow the girls started talking about boobs. They were going on and on about bras and how you are supposed to cover them, and when you get them, and the fact that boys don’t have them…at least most boys. Justin was starting to get very uncomfortable and he said such….Harper turned to him and said, “well we are talking about it so you can leave and go somewhere else if you don’t want to be a part of it”.
December 2018 at Dinner: the girls were talking about ‘weenies’ and Emerson explained that a ‘weenie’ is just a man’s vagina.
Purchasing our house in 2014, our 5-year plan was to redo the kitchen. Five years turned into seven years. The two-year process starting with the contractor search through completion was painful and long. Once we finally found the “right” company the second time around (yes, we exited our first design contract after 8 months of working with that company), we served as our own Project Manager for the project. We had many challenges along the way, which I intentionally am not writing about. Similar to childbirth, best to forgot certain parts of the process so it won’t deter diving back into the journey for round two!
I’m happy with the outcome….we love our new space. Honestly not much I would do differently. It feels good to be able to host and want to welcome people into our home!
Christmas 2021 was perfect…from the time leading up to it all through Christmas Day. The girls’ created their wish lists for Santa; many of the items on their lists truly warmed my heart….notably a baby brother, a fun Christmas, a snow globe of Simone Biles with Avery standing next to her holding a gold medal, and a visit from Larissa.
With our new renovation, we decorated many of our open shelves with Hanukkah and Christmas décor and our new space felt cozy and inviting. Our tree found a new home in the corner of our living room and it really felt like things were coming together.
Noah and Elias spent the night one Saturday and the kids wore their Christmas jammies.
The girls and Noah made gingerbread houses later in the weekend. A mini house for each of them.
Lauren, Gabriel, Justin, and I had an adult dinner at Clarity.
The evening of the 23rd, my parents treated us all to Meadowlark Winter Walks of Lights. We hadn’t been since December 2013, when Avery and Emerson were two and Lauren and Gabriel were with us.
Christmas Eve Day the girls made snickerdoodle cookies for Santa.
We had intended to go to church finally for Christmas Eve; however, a spike in the COVID omicron variant had us being cautious and we decided to watch the church service at home as a family.
There was a debate regarding where we should get take-out from for Christmas Eve dinner. Should we give PF Changs a try again or go with Mama Tigre? In the end, Mama Tigre was the winner with us realizing that traditions were more about being with family than the actual food we ate. The food didn’t disappoint. Everyone chose what they wanted; our bellies and hearts were full.
Christmas Eve Noah spent the night. The kids went to bed after 10:00 and eagerly awaited Santa’s arrival.
A little before 8:00, all the kids were up and ready to see if Santa delivered! And boy did Santa deliver! The kids patiently took a few pictures at the top of the stairs.
Then they made the great escape down the stairs to the new area Santa placed the goodies. Avery was ecstatic about her elephant, Emerson ecstatic about a new IPAD, as well as Harper. Noah was fascinated with his transformers!
Santa wrapped some presents while leaving some exposed. The girls and Noah selected a few to unwrap before breakfast.
Breakfast consisted of a sausage, mushroom, and spinach strata; orange scones; bacon; and fresh fruit.
Santa present and stocking opening continued after breakfast. Santa also got Avery a koala, a ton of pop-its and simple dimples, a book, and a mermaid blanket. Santa also got Harper an ice cream parlor play-do set and play-do, pop-its, a simple dimple, and a book. Santa also got Emerson a personally engraved jewelry box, earrings, weighted softballs, and a book. Noah’s gifts from Santa also included some pajamas, candy, and a few pop-its. Santa also got all three girls sour candy and cotton candy!
Stockings contained a mix of candy, dental related items, and toys.
After what felt like opening presents for hours, we took a break and went for a walk outside. Noah was on his scooter, which he rides so well. The weather was unseasonably warm and beautiful! We picked up Lauren, Gabriel, and Elias from the bike path and they joined us for the afternoon. We enjoyed some down time and yes, more opening of presents. We got the girls a Nintendo Switch, an item they had been asking for a long time, and one they probably did not think we would get…they were some happy screams opening it. We talked to Ludmila and Karolin and played phone tag with Larissa!
My parents came over about 5:00 and the dinner preparations began. For appetizer, we had a small charcuterie board and broiled feta with tomatoes.
Dinner was a joint effort with myself, Gabriel, and Justin as chefs. We feasted upon beef tenderloin, Maryland crab cakes, rosemary roasted potatoes, grilled asparagus, and a kale salad.
Perhaps better than the amazingly delicious food was the people. We toasted to what has been a heartful two weeks of family events and time together. My heart signified pure happiness.
After dinner we opened even more presents…presents to and from one another and at 9:00 pm, we had been opening presents for over 13 hours, which is crazy especially considering we didn’t feel like presents were all that excessive.
Once Christmas was over, Noah spent the time several more times, totaling at least five or six. Elias joined in one of the nights as well. I had planned on having him again; however, the snow altered those plans.
Christmas Day and Christmas season did not disappoint. We all felt truly blessed.
Avery was a week behind Emerson and Harper in receiving her COVID Vaccines. Ironically, the day that Avery was fully vaccinated (two weeks post her second shot), we were all exposed! Within days, Justin, Emerson, Harper and myself tested positive. Avery was the only one that was spared. We only tested with the at-home antigen tests and never did the PCR tests as not only was finding those appointments difficult, but also we didn’t feel we would do anything differently based on the results of those tests, which we anticipated would be positive.
Fortunately, besides Justin’s asthma and breathing (which were not great for a few days), our symptoms were pretty mild, mostly just a cough. Here is how it affected each of us.
Justin: cough, hard time breathing, doubled up on his regular inhaler dosage, for 3 days pretty much sat on couch upstairs and watched TV as his breathing and heartrate would increase every time he stood up. He enjoyed the delicious meals that I was cooking from the comfort of the couch.
Stefanie – hoarse voice for first two days and then a little cough, slightly tired a few hours during the course of the 10 days and took 2 naps. But overall, energy was high, even ran on treadmill one day, while walking on the treadmill other days. Spent days 3-5 cooking new recipes nonstop (beefstew, homemade crusty bread, pasta with ricotta pesto, and New York Strip Steak.
Harper – persistent cough off and on for almost the full 10 days, other than that pretty normal. Was extremely upset upon hearing the news she tested positive and thought it would be a good idea to tell her classmates that she went to Sweden as the reason for her school absence!
Emerson – cough a few days, lower energy a few days, other than that pretty normal
Avery – complained of a headache, similar to her somewhat daily complaints so wasn’t sure initially if it was a COVID symptom or not. Being that she tested negative twice at various stages of the 8 days we isolated (5 days was the current CDC guidance with wearing a mask while going out on Days 6-10), we felt pretty she was the only one in the family who somehow escaped COVID.
The kids are finally able to return to in-person school tomorrow, though tomorrow is a holiday and it is snowing out currently, so virtual school is more likely this week than in-person. If that is the case, that means this will be the 5th week in a row of the girls being home with Justin and me. I have been assigning workbooks like crazy roughly 5 out of the 7 days a week and not only do I assign, but I review, require understanding and correction, which is feeling very reminiscent of our early days of COVID.
All in all, I am glad our symptoms were mild. I’m glad we were all vaccinated and boosted as I firmly believe our symptoms were mild because of such.
