Supply and demand

When gas was $4/gallon, you couldn't get one of these for love or money. Now, hybrids are piling up on dealers' lots. This is an overflow lot across the street from Ellen's day care, used by a Toyota dealer about a mile away. The long row of new Priuses has been growing steadily.  I wish I could take them all home and make them feel loved.

Storytime

Every night before bedtime, Ellen wants her books.

Give me Liberty

An extra-special treat of custard sundaes for everyone at the adorable Liberty Frozen Custard. It's a gas station restored to 1950s style and stocked with games, toys, and magazines from the time. The restoration has won awards from architectural and historical societies. Also, really good custard.

Whinehouse

I wanted to say winter was over

But then it snowed, snowed, snowed

Dance dance revolution

At the day care's "open house," energetic toddlers and preschoolers dance with bean bags on their heads. (Don't ask.) Ellen is somewhere in this scrum.

Bike ride

The snow is gone, and it warmed up enough to go outside without coats. Ellen wanted to take her tricycle for a spin.

Waiting

Rachel came down with the strep. We were alone at Urgent Care, for once.

It begins

The first boxes are packed. We're really moving to California.

Hope or false hope?

Can this thaw be real? Last year at this time, we were in the midst of a snowy and cold March. Winter didn't let up its grip until April. Are we getting a reprieve this year?

Royal Ball

Hanging out with friends visiting from out of town. Ellen and the other 3-year-olds all dressed up as princesses. That's their way.

In the bag

Rachel gets Ellen ready for a sack race at the Purim carnival. She was so happy to wear her flower girl dress again.

I'm sorry if this hurts your eyes

Did I mention that Ellen now has her owns apps? Unbeknownst to me, she's figured out how to save her creations in my photo album. This is a chicken she dressed herself. It's kind of scary in that it's sort of rainbow-color-coordinated.

Surprise party

One of my favorite annual events is Dining Out for Life. I didn't realize it was D.C.'s night when I decided to go out for dinner ... and found long waits everywhere I went! I wound up at a college bar with pretty decent food near GWU.

Kiss kiss, bang bang

I didn't get to visit the Spy Museum (as seen on The Colbert Report). The banner is pretty cool, though.

Final update

Lots of progress in the last month on the round theater construction project. Will anyone miss my monthly snapshots of this big concrete edifice going up?

Not fair

I escape Minnesota for the snowstorm and subzero weather of ... Washington?

Airway to the skyport ... or is it the other way around?

Heading back to D.C. for my last consulting trip. Did I mention that I quit? Did I mention that I finally got a good job offer? Yay! We're going to California. Seems fitting considering how many CA trips made it into this blog. Shall I schedule my colonic now?