"More Planes Daddy"

Last weekend, Rory enjoyed the warm weather watching the planes arrive at National Airport from the nearby Gravelly Point park.
After each plane passed by, Rory would request "mo, mo" ... her way of saying "bring on more planes daddy!"
At the park, Rory practiced her kicking skills ...
... and her throwing skills.

Passover with Dahlia

Rory enjoyed her second Passover Seder at her friend Dahlia's house. Appropriately, Dahlia led the "passover procession", which included Rory and Aidan (in the rear).

Dahlia's mom, Rachel, prepared a wonderful brisket, which Rory devoured (the first real red meat that Rory has enjoyed, not counting hamburger meat).

"Mommy Silly"

This week, Rory started down a new linguistic path by stringing two words together. And her first phrase? Appropriately, it was "Mommy Silly." Later in the week, we heard "Nick car" (when she saw her classmate pull-up next to our car at school), "No Pippin" (as she repeated something she hears her Mommy frequently say), "Up Daddy" (when she was instructing her Daddy to move aside so that her Mommy could sit down next to her instead), and "Eric push" (as she was describing the naughty thing her other classmate did to her). "Eric push" was followed by Rory affecting a stern face, raising her finger, and saying "No, no, no" ... apparently mimicing her teacher when she saw Eric pushing Rory.

Wait, now that I think about it. I actually don't know for certain if it was Eric who pushed Rory or Rory who pushed Eric. She does have a checkered past.

Blossoms & Baseball

Last weekend, we enjoyed another quintessential Washington weekend, which started with the Cherry Blossom Festival parade.
Rory was a big fan of the big balloons ...
... and the bands. "Mo, mo," she would ask after each one passed by; she wanted more.
On Sunday, Rory got back to Nationals Ballpark and found a perfect place to watch the game.
Uncle Allen is proving a perfect baseball mentor to Rory!

Read-a-thon

While Daddy has a hard time getting through a magazine without falling asleep ...
... Rory has already begun perusing the philosophical tour-de-force "Passion of the Western Mind" recommended by Daddy's friend Eric.

My First Concert

Recently, Rory went to her first "real" concert (indoor venue designed for music, paid admission, etc.) to see Rocknoceros, her favorite band (she's seen them at festivals and rocks to their CD at home). Okay, the concert was at 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning, so it wasn't exactly the sort of late-night fare that will excite her in her teens years (oh, a Daddy can dream).
However, as you can see in this video, Rory proved a harcore rock fan, dancing and clapping and wiggling in delight.

"I'm A Star"

Rory strikes a few poses modeling her daycare t-shirt ("I'm a Star at Capital Kids") and springtime bunny coat (with hood).

Opening Day 2008

On Sunday, Rory continued her Opening Day ballgame streak (two in person, one in utero) by attending the Nationals opener against the Braves. The event was all the more momentous because it marked the premiere of Nationals Park, the new (amazing!) venue for the Washington Nationals. Rory (and the rest of her family) had her Uncle Allen to thank for scoring the tickets. Pictured here, Rory checks out George Washington. But first ...
...The day began with Rory trying on her hat from last year. Fortunately, it still fit.
It did not fit Uncle Mike.
Uncle Allen continued his generosity by giving Rory a new Nats jersey, which she enthusiastically donned for the game.
We arrived several hours before the game so that we had plenty of time to check out the new stadium and see batting practice.
Allen and Chelle made quite an impression on Rory; everytime they wandered away, Rory would ask for them by name: "Chelle? Allie?"
Uncle Mike was Rory's personal chariot each time she commanded "Go!".
Rory will forever have the distinction of being the first child to play on the jungle gym in the Kids Zone.
But the real attraction for Rory was the rockin band that played the stadium. Rory had a great view.
Rory left on the early side so that she could catch a few ZZZZZs (thanks for driving Mommy!), but the night was just beginning for the rest of us.
Uncle Allen had scored really great seats! Here's the view of the Nats getting introduced.
Here's the view of the high-definition scoreboard (that's President Bush as he takes the field for the First Pitch).
Here's the view of President Bush throwing the first pitch! The Nats would go on to beat the Braves when Ryan Zimmerman hit a homerun in the 9th inning.