mom stuff

So much this summer has felt like a reunion... I've reunited not just with our neighborhood and friends that I cherish, but also new neighbors and fun. Especially fun are new yoga classes four doors up at the pool club, and these new sign painting parties everyone is hosting ;) I also feel like I've reunited with some knitting projects (watch me WIP - work in progress!) that had been hibernating for a long time (thanks to matching yarn I found in Tucson!)  I'm also pumped to get a new clue each week for another mystery knit along - this one is all about texture! I'm calling it a Peacock in the grassy knoll by the water ;)

I was also so lucky to get back in time to help celebrate with my wish kid who had been waiting since this time last year to go to the All-Star MLB game.  Oh, it exceeded his expectations and all of ours in so many ways. He shared the long weekend full of activities with his family and his brother (who donated bone marrow for him). His family is the most grateful, caring, and kind family I've worked with so far, and during the debrief meeting I nearly cried as his mom described how this shy 15 year old was interviewed on live tv with such poise that he even surprised himself. We don't get many chances in life to do something that may seem scary and prove to ourselves that we can do it, and I'm so grateful he had that chance. In their massive thank you note: "To our Wish Granters, for taking the time to know Alex, and for encouraging him so kindly, so that everything about his Wish (including the Wish Kick-Off) matched him perfectly!"

happy bday j

This rockstar had a birthday! We were so glad he had a fun day finding a great deal on another guitar topped off with his favorite giant chocolate cake from my sister and the best couriers from Ohio, my folks - Thanks!

pippin

Top left is the cast and crew from Pippin! Aiden and his Theo double Steven surrounded by a big group of Millennials. So excited and grateful to my folks and uncle coming to see the show! It was clear that all the late nights were worth it for Aiden. We are again in Pippin withdrawal!

pippin prep

Spent a big chunk of the last month and a half at Aiden’s rehearsals for Pippin... some all the way in DC at Catholic University and most at the Ainslie Arts Center in Alexandria. The stage manager jokingly renamed this second floor nook “the Brennan lobby” because we spent so much time waiting there during rehearsals. Not too shabby to be surrounded by art books and Picassos, despite it lasting over ten hours one day! Plenty of time to knit and the highlight was when Aiden would come find me at break time and fill me in on everything that “blew his mind!” It was such a commitment, but we will miss it.

pool n buddies

So much pool action (before the rain hit for a solid week!) and old friends visiting on the perfect weekend for backyard picnics!

camp fun

The boys had such a nice time at their Drama Club director's Musical Theater Intensive two week camp. It was such a great group of kids. Lucky duck Keaton was able to attend as a rising second grader even though it was 4-8th grade. He did so well keeping up with the big kids that they invited him to join Drama Club early this year! He's very excited. They are going to put on Mary Poppins in the Fall.

The final show for the camp was a montage of different songs. Keaton's group did Lion King and Aladdin and Aiden's group did Newsies songs. They had fun with crazy hat/hair day and favorite musical day (Aiden picked Hamilton and Keaton picked Seussical).  So fun!

headshots

Part of the fun at camp was taking a headshot... She did such a nice job (although poor Aiden had an eye infection that we are just getting cleared up now so his eyes looked kinda puffy and tired).

national harbor

We wandered around the National Harbor on a really nice day... great views and bellies full of marshmallow and bento boxes.

circus

The circus was in town again at the National Harbor and yet again J was pulled up on stage to dance - despite telling the boys not to point at him and sitting well in from the aisle!  It's like he's an audience participation magnet and they must know he'll put on a good show and amuse everyone ;) There is video, but I'm not allowed to post his moves ;) but we brought home fun memories!

good list

Reuniting with friends for the boys and me has been really nice over the last few weeks... and the bits are all reunited with their giant Pokémon collection and toys! I have spent a huge amount of time cleaning out extra stuff we just don’t need. We’ve been visiting old favorite places like Chuys and Xpo cupcakes at Mosaic. Guitar Center visits made more fun with Keaton’s favorite mandolin.
Visits from old friends swinging through town and doctor/dentist visits make us realize how quickly time flies! Keaton’s best buddy invited him on a private tour of the National Archives he won in an auction and they loved that adventure.

fun house

The Building Museum summer exhibition this year feels like a greatest hits of past exhibits. It was very fun to climb and crawl through everything. Another feast for the imagination...

balls

A big pool, baby pool, and bath tub this year! It’s surprisingly tricky to crawl around in a big ball pit, but it isn’t as deep as the Beach exhibit from a few years ago. Aiden really liked sinking down under the balls and peeking out.

building

These big blue blocks will probably be in those articles “You were a kid growing up in the Tens if you remember these...” Do you really say 10s?! Going on a weekday morning on the second day of their new summer exhibition meant it wasn’t too crowded, and we got a really great parking space right by the door.

4th karaoke

The 4th was sweltering and humid and we felt like the BBQ with karaoke at J’s friend’s house was the perfect way to celebrate...in air conditioning ;) The Brennan boys know how to sing it out!

pool groove

We’ve been grooving at the pool a lot lately! We kicked off the summer with an end of the school year conga line and ice cream party. It was great to reunite with old friends as we settle back in around here.

sleepaway camp

Aiden has been pumped for sleep away camp for months since he joined his buddy at the reunion weekend last October. He was joined by three of his buddies from our neighborhood which was very reassuring for him and for me ;) I knew he'd have a great time making memories. He signed up for horseback riding, farm, and drama as his individual activities and had a blast at the cabin activities too. His highlight was playing in the lake on the trampoline, giant slide, and zipline. He also could not get enough of the very nice farmer who lives next door to the camp and invited them all over to help feed his animals every day.  I sent him with a camera and he came home with some good shots (and some really shaky video ;)  The camp also sends along daily photos so you can get a peek at how it is going which was a highlight for me. Aiden created a fun secret code with me before he left, where a thumbs up meant I absolutely LOVE it here, hands at his sides or behind the back meant it's all good/okay, and a hand on his elbow meant come pick me up ;) So the first time I saw his thumbs up I was so happy to see it!

class party

We were so grateful that Keaton's first grade teacher invited us to join the class as a surprise at his end of the year party. It was such a fun reunion! The school has a family that lives close by host the party so it really feels like tons of fun for the kids. We had a perfect day for a backyard carnival!

dc bonks

Bonks reminiscing and visiting old childhood spots with Augie for the first time. The Smithsonian. carousel, and sculpture gardens on a beautiful sunny day.

art bonks

Enjoying the National Gallery of Art! The boys get along so well and we wish they lived close by...

college buddies

We rolled into town and got a chance to meet up with old college friends at the Air and Space Museum. Even Bonk and Augie were in town from California to join us!