Terrific Two

Our little baby celebrated her second birthday on Oct. 9, the same day we hosted a super-fantastic party in our backyard. You will be surprised (and probably a little alarmed) to hear that we hired Squeals-on-Wheels (it is not a BBQ joint) to bring a mobile cornucopia of barnyard animals: ducks, chickens, rabbits, a guinea pig (Capt. Bob), a goat, an alpaca and a teeny-tiny horse named Capt. Jack Sparrow.

Charlotte was completely captivated by the rabbits (as was I). The highlight was Charlotte's radiant smile as her friends gathered to sing her 'happy birthday." Another notable moment -- flashbulbs went wild when Capt. Bob, clad in a cowboy hat, took a ride on Capt. Jack's back. No really.

We love you so much baby girl. We could not have asked for a more loving, clever little girl.

Salvo Salvation

Family Barnes comes to you now from the village of Salvo in the Outer Banks, NC. It was only a few weeks ago (six?) that Hurricane Earl drove us (in a heap of despair and depression) from our vacation home in Hatteras. Heartbroken (and pissed), we vowed to return -- even if it meant missing some work, missing some preschool, missing some of the glorious Fall in DC.

After four days of bliss at "Hunt and Gather, a small house that is neither on the beach nor stuffed with our friends and family, all we have to say is "Frack you Earl, we're having a grand time."

This afternoon we enjoyed a picnic of steamed shrimp on a nearly deserted stretch of beach we've on the Pea Island Reserve. It has a super-low tide with gentle waves for the kids and tide pools for safe water play.

Paul, who is muy macho, body surfed in 3-foot waves on an inflatable Dora the Explorer kick board (he wants me to tell you the ocean was a brisk 65 degrees, so give the man his due). I flew a kite (thank you Holly). I buried my family in sand. My crushing stress backache I've had for two weeks....gone.

Back at our well-appointed bungalow (French Press coffee maker? check. Champagne glasses? check), we opened a bottle of prosecco (thank you Eliza) and I dove into the hot tub while Charlotte napped, Harry honed his Foozball skill and Paul put the finishing touches on tonight's dinner: Boeuf Bouguignon, ala Julia Child (we're plowing through her cookbook during this trip, definitely not good for the waste line, but good for the soul. On Monday it was Filets de Poisson Bercy aux Champignons. I counted; two sticks of butter.

I'll upload some photos from our camera when we return (if you really want to loathe us more), otherwise, you can ponder these iphone shots. God Bless America, and in case I wasn't clear the first time, Screw You Earl. We just wish our other refugee travelers were enjoying it as well.

Zaza!

Charlotte loves her grandmother. She asks about her all the time. Sometimes I'm pretty sure the ranking is as follows: Daddy, Zaza, Mommy.

Birthday Wishes to Aunty Jess

She quilts....she knits...she sews....boy does she SEW. Jessica arrived for her four-day stay with the most gorgeous dress for Charlotte - that she made. Not just smocked, but complete with invisible seams, the kind you find on the finest couture clothes. And this, we were told, astonished, was just the practice dress. Jessica is amazing...and today she is a year older. So, a salute to Paul's sister. We're sorry we don't see you more often, but we are so happy you came to visit. We had a terrific time at Cox Farms, feeding the goats, milking a pretend cow (!) attacking the slides, just an all-over jolly time. Come back and play with us soon!

Fisticuffs at Dawn

I have experienced every mother's fondest wish. Sure, the kids attending Ivy Leagues, that would rank. But this was right up there: Harry and Charlotte recently fought over who could sit on the potty first. It was the best shoving match I've ever refereed. I credit our latest motivational tool -- M & M's. God bless the Mars family.

A 50th Anniversary Celebration

It was with great delight that Paul and I hosted a 50th anniversary party for his parents. The dinner was held at La Bergerie in Old Town Alexandria and the guests came from as far as London (a surprise) to toast two of their most cherished friends. It was a lovely evening. Aside from one blunder (they put candles on the retro 1960-style wedding cake ordered for dessert...eeek!), it was picture perfect. And it was another wonderful opportunity to have family in town, perhaps most notably, Paul's sister Jessica and his aunty Phebe.

FireGirl

Our buddy Marco, 3, passed this awesome firefighter outfit down to Harry. Only Harry wasn't dying to try it on. Charlotte on the other hand went right for the boots and hat during a diaper change. As I reached for the camera, Paul chastened me for taking photos that, were Charlotte older, would be suitable for a certain magazine whose models once sported bunny ears. Nevertheless, I thought she looked precious.