His and Hers

Harry's BFF Lucy is at our house this week, our turn to host the nanny-share. They joined me and Charlotte in the kitchen while I put some Korean-style ribs in the slow-cooker (crockpot for you 70s fans). Hoping to secure a good view of the action, they took seats, his and hers (on their own, mind you), to check it all out. It felt a little like the Iron Chef gallery. I think Charlotte and I scored well.

The kids were born two weeks apart and share a lot of the same features (blond hair, big blue eyes, about the same height), which leads everyone in the park to assume that they're twins. Our poor nanny has gotten so fed up deflecting the question that she now says "yes, twins" just to get some peace.

'What Have You Done With My Best Friend?'

Those were Cathy's words to me the night I attended my first knitting circle at our church. Suffice to say I've never been a big church goer and the idea that I'd spend the evening knitting with the church ladies, well, she was beside herself, mostly laughing, laughing hard...at me. Since that time Paul and I have become big fans of our church, a lovely Episcopalian congregation that worships, among other things, pumpkins, hosting a massive sale to benefit local charities (the pumpkins are trucked in from an Indian tribe in New Mexico each year and virtually the entire congregation gets involved in the sale. This pumpkin freak thinks it is positively awesome).

I first met some of the parish when I wrote a story about the sale many years ago. When it came time for Paul and I to pick a church (baptism looming), I knew exactly where we'd go. A shock to both of us was how much we liked the pastor, the people, even the coffee hour after the service. While we don't attend every Sunday, when we do we really like it. This is the part that makes Cathy, the daughter of a minister, wonder. Really wonder: Who are you and what have you done with my best friend? My brother and sister-in-law, folks very very in touch with God, would probably agree. Heck, maybe I would too.

This morning we visited church for the first time with Charlotte, her debut, as it were. We brought our giant sack of wrapped presents for our adopted family and had a lovely chat with the minister, Sam, and let everyone oooh and ahh at our precious baby. The sermon was particularly good, a discussion about those who strive to know Jesus and those who believe. Paul and I are still working on 'knowing,' but so far it's a good journey.

Day of Rest

We were supposed to walk to Old Town today to watch the Scottish Walk parade. But Harry woke with a slight fever and there was no taking him out in low 30-degree temps. So we spent the day inside, mostly in our PJs. Even sick, he's a delight. He even consented to gobble down his peas and carrots for lunch., with a smile no less.

Quiet Time for Mom

I'm getting the hang of this mother-of-two thing, if slowly. On Wednesday it took me no less than 2 hours to get the kids and me dressed and out the door for a party. As we left I looked over my shoulder -- it looked like a tornado struck: clothes and books and milk bottles and baby detritus everywhere. The house is no better today. I spend Fridays taking care of the kids sans nanny. We managed to make it out of the house without much fuss this morning. Charlotte was suitably bundled in a bunting and harry had on two layers, as did I. He hopped on his trike and off we went to the park. I was so proud. Until Harry rightfully started saying "hands, hands, hands" which were indeed turning bright red from the cold. The water on the slide, had, yes, turned to ice. So back home we went to read books and play until our Friday play group. I have discovered that this is the time I live for on Friday...when we come home from the group and the kids go down for a nap. I have two hours to consider my wonderful life. It's quiet. I can type without toddler hands invading. But what I really want is a nap, but that's just totally out of the question when there's this much to do, a house that's THIS filthy and two super-young kids to mind. Speaking of which...Charlotte is stirring. So off I go to change a diaper.

The Fright Before Christmas

He's big (please reference "Jelly belly"), clad in a shock of red, has so much facial hair his mouth is nearly obscured, and he carries bells...really folks, what's to fancy here? While Santa proved a successful photo op last year, Harry has gotten a wee bit more hip to the realities of this seasonal character. And he was having none of the lap this year. This photo shows exactly how close he was willing to get last night, which in fairness was considerably closer than some of the other children at the party (also smarties). One woman said her child was "hiding" until she gave the all-clear, given that a mere glance of the man in red will cause histrionics. Don't worry Harry, I'll tell Santa what you want for Christmas ....a diamond necklace for mommy.

Harry and Charlotte Get Booked

Harry and Charlotte are officially on the net. If they decide to jack a car in high school or rob a liquor store (every mother's fondest wish), they'll discover their fingerprints are on file with Alexandria's finest. This is not tough love. Nooooo. But the police were on hand at a Christmas Party we attended last night at the offices of McLaughlin-Ryder, the money-management company run by our investment guru and good friend Shawn McLaughlin. We go every year and see a surprising number of friends there, also with children in tow to see Santa., the night's highlight. Shawn is grossly plugged in. We're sure he'll be Governor one day. He's also the chairman of the city's Police Foundation. As such, he asked the cops to join the party (counter-intuitive I know) and give parents the chance to have the kiddies ID-ed: Height, weight, all vital stats, pictures, a video snippet and fingerprints. Short of a proctoscope it was very thorough. God forbid, one of the kids go missing, the police are that much closer to getting them back. Shiver shiver. It's called SafeAssured ID, in case you're interested for your own tyke.

Anyhow, it gave the very kind officers a laugh trying to chart a newborn...let's see....impossibly small little fingers. Her age? Officially "Zero." Weight? Changing every second. Good luck getting her to "say" something into the video camera.. Harry, it should be noted, said "hot dog" for no apparent reason. Charlotte's mug shot? She's wagging her tongue. Good work baby girl, stick it to the man.

Another Kind of Adoption

Today we're focused on adoption. Spit-take anyone? No, lest you think that Paul and I aspire to be the next Brangelina, rest assured we don't plan to expand our brood. What we are doing is adopting a family this Christmas through our congregation, Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill in Alexandria.

Rev. Sam Faeth (pronounced "Faith"...isn't that cool?), yesterday assigned us a family: single mother Karen and her two children - Dujuan, a 2-year-old boy, and Nukyra, a 4-year-old girl. In two weeks we'll bring our wrapped gifts to the church where Sam will bless the presents and they'll be delivered to the hundreds of families that the church sponsors. Rather than giving money or gift certificates, the idea is to provide needy families with presents they can unwrap on Christmas morning. The gifts are given anonymously and the happiness they provide to the kids is incalculable. OK, it also makes me feel really good.

So, I need your help....if you have any great gift ideas for a 4-year-old girl I'd love to know. I think, thanks to Harry, I can figure out the desires of a 2-year-old boy. But a little girl? Any hot toys, books or dolls I should know about? Help!!