The Phelps Family

Lyra at The Dairy Godmother in Del Ray

One of the first photos with my new iPhone 4. Way better than my iPhone 3 (not even GS). Lyra decided on lime sorbet, which she quickly traded for my custard because the sorbet was too tart. I thought it was perfect.

Sent from Bill Phelps' iPhone

Gone! Voilà! But she looks way too old now. Hadn't anticipated that!

Cathleen
www.thephelpsfamily.blogspot.com
www.givingfullcircle.org

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday, November 06, 2010

Eva Climbing Today at Earth Treks in Timonium, MD

Eva climbed today in the American Bouldering Series competition. It was a long competition, starting at 11:00 and going until 5:00. Eva climbed very well with a V3, 3 V4s and a V6. She came in 2nd in her age group.

Via iPad

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Pumpkins of Old Town Alexandria - Halloween Photos

A selection of the many pumpkins we saw on Halloween, mostly on Lee Street in Old Town. the baby pumpkin in the mouth of the big pumpkin is probably my favorite.

Via iPad

Monday, November 01, 2010

Corpse Bride, window display, Lee Street, Alexandria

From the pearls and lace veil I am guessing this is a bride. I am not sure the significance of the flag. This was part of a window diorama on Lee Street last night. I will be posting a variety of other shots - lots of photo ops and great jack o'lanterns last night!

Via iPad

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween at the Firehouse

The Firehouse is two blocks east of our house toward the river. The firemen where there as they are all the time, and tonight handing out candy to everyone who stopped by.

Via iPad

Our family pumpkins for Lyra, Eva and Will

Pumpkins look fine during the day, but they are really meant to be seen at night properly lit with a candle. For Halloween today we had the pumpkins on the bench in front of our house, and after the sunlight faded they looked great. Eva and Will carved their own pumpkins this year, I 'helped' Lyra with hers.

Via iPad

LOOT!

Cathleen
www.thephelpsfamily.blogspot.com
www.givingfullcircle.org

Sent from my iPhone

Now THAT'S scary!

Cathleen
www.thephelpsfamily.blogspot.com
www.givingfullcircle.org

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Pumpkin Carving - The Pumpkins

The kids all carved original pumpkin faces. It seems like these days it is easy to download a variety of detailed stencils for pumpkins, but they look like practice pieces for aspiring engravers. Cats made a repeat appearance after being popular last year as well.

Via iPad

Pumpkin Carving - Part 2

Lyra loved her pumpkin until she had had to put her hand in to remove the seeds, then she was far less enthusiastic. We narrowly averted a pumpkin slime fight among the older kids (threat of death and all that).

Via iPad

Phelps/Juneau Pumpkin Carving - Part 1

The Phelps and Juneau kids got together today to carve pumpkins. Much fun was had by all. I did conclude though that someone needs to invent a seedless pumpkin.

Via iPad

Thursday, October 28, 2010

In the Halloween spirit but a little

too realistic for me! yuck.

Cathleen
www.thephelpsfamily.blogspot.com
www.givingfullcircle.org

Sent from my iPhone

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Eva & Her 'Perfect Pumpkin'

When we went to buy pumpkins today, I think Will was satisfied with the first big pumpkin he found. Eva on the other hand spent a lot of time looking for a nice symmetric pumpkin with even coloring and smooth skin all around. She did find a really nice pumpkin and it will almost be a shame to carve it.

Via iPad

A very happy Lyra with her pumpkin

We went out this morning to pick out pumpkins. Carving will occur next Saturday. The weather was perfect and the kids loved exploring the pumpkin patch.

Via iPad

Getting Ready to Start

The sun is coming up over the Pentagon and I don't know how to do it justice with a camera. There is someone parachuting down and doing all these acrobatics in the way. Music is blaring from James Brown to Bruce Springsteen to Patriotic. LOVE this race. Maybe some day Will and Eva will run it with me

Cathleen
www.thephelpsfamily.blogspog.com
www.givingfullcircle.org

Sent from my iPhone

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Delaware Rock Gym - American Bouldering Series Competition.

Eva competed today at Delaware Rock Gym in the ABS competition. She placed 2nd, behind another girl in Female Youth D who she often places just behind, or sometimes just in front of. This was our first time at DRG, and it was a great gym. Eva had a great time, and as usual can't wait for near next opportunity to climb.

Via iPad

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Konrad the Frog Appears

We have a small pond in our garden that is home to a number of goldfish, a few small koi and a voracious catfish. For the first few years after we moved into our house we also had frogs. The frogs were naturally occurring. I don't know how they found our pond in a walled garden in the center of Old Town, but they did. However, several years ago all the frogs disappeared and we have been trying to get them reestablished. We have probably put 25 tadpoles in the pond in the last four years and I don't know if we have had any frogs. I suspect the catfish may be partly to blame. This year in addition to half a dozen small tadpoles from the fish store (all gone as far as I can tell) we inherited a partially transformed tadpole from a friend. That tadpole was already named Konrad, and Cathleen believes it is the one that turned into the frog pictured here. This is a small frog, but it looks healthy and is quick. I hope it survives the winter and maybe next year we can find it a companion.

Via iPad

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Lyra's First Ballet Class

Poor Lyra has been dying to take ballet for ages and it has never worked out. It was either mid-session when I thought to sign her up or it didn't work with her school schedule. I finally found a Tiny Dancers class on Saturdays. There is a new studio within walking distance of my house! She us one happy girlie. Today's story was about Tigger. I can't figure out how to email more than one photo at a time from the iPhone or I would include a photo of her in the costume too. But really, this one is cuter!

Cathleen
www.thephelpsfamily.blogspog.com
www.givingfullcircle.org

Sent from my iPhone

Will the Mad Bumper Car Driver at Six Flags

Will and one of his friends and I went to Six Flags today. We mostly focused on riding roller coasters, but made a short detour to the bumper cars. Will was an aggressive driver, I think I need to get him out to the skid pad to learn how to handle a car long before he is near a public road.

Via iPad

Monday, September 13, 2010

Another Off to School Shot, This Time Including Lyra's Cute Face

You could almost imagine these three are a band of angels. Not quite...

Via iPad

Phelps Trio Off to School!

Not quite the first day, but Will, Eva and Lyra are ready for school with their *huge* backpacks. I think Lyra's backpack is wider than she is (but Will's is by far the heaviest).

Via iPad

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Eva has Absconded with my New Shoes

Eva's feet are now almost my same size. Today, when I came home with a new pair of Vibram barefoot running shoes, she immediately wanted to try them on. Then Will. Then Eva. I really am barefoot now.

I don't know that I will really run any distance in them but they are comfy and hopefully will help eliminate some of my weird foot and ankle pain. They sure do look funny! I wish there were better colors. I liked the mauve ones but wanted the foot strap. There's a SmartWool version that would be less sweaty but the colors are BLAH. Would love a pair of chili red ones.

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Haircut day!

Annette pointed out that there are never Internet pictures of Will getting his hair cut, just the girls. So here ya go! Annette works miracles!

Cathleen
www.thephelpsfamily.blogspog.com
www.givingfullcircle.org

Sent from my iPhone

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

If there are French Fries in Heaven, they come from Duckfat in Portland, Maine

In Portland, Maine last week I had lunch with my 12 year old son Will at Duckfat, a casual restaurant at 43 Middle Street near (not in) the Old Port section of town. Duckfat is one of three restaurants diagonally across the street from Rabelais Books, a bookstore dedicated to 'fine books on food & drink'. Browsing in Rabelais I asked which of the restaurants we should try for lunch, half expecting a non-committal 'depends on what you like' answer. The actual answer was, 'Duckfat, all the restaurants are good, but Duckfat is special.' Duckfat was special.

Like any 12 year old, Will eats a lot of French Fries. He said Duckfat's are the best he has had, worth a special trip. He said, if we go to Maine next year, we need to go back to Duckfat.

Having recently tried poutine for the first time in Montreal, I was not satisfied to have plain French Fries. We had Duckfat's version of poutine with local Maine cheese curd and house made duck gravy. Will accompanied the poutine with a chocolate milk shake. I wish I still had the blast furnace metabolism of a 12 year old boy. The poutine was insanely good. The fries were awesome on there own, crisp and richly flavored (I think duck fat is second only to butter in making anything cooked in it taste good). The cheese was good, but not so strong as to overshadow the fries. The gravy was mild, but made everything hold together.

I can't wait to go back.

First Day of School

I had to do the dump-and-go for Will so no photo of him. But Eva got to walk Lyra in for her open house day! That was a lot of fun because Lyra was so excited and Eva was able to visit many favorite teachers. Eva helped Lyra dress in a special and favorite outfit. She did Lyra's hair and everything! This was a very fun day....except for all the shots Lyra had to have in the afternoon. :(

Monday, September 06, 2010

Migis Lodge Vacation Video! Water Skiing & Other Maine Fun

Here's five minutes of video which hopefully reflects all the fun we had at Migis Lodge last week. You can tell the kids liked the water skiing *a lot.* This was the first year Will was really able to ski and he did great, improving very quickly after he figured out how to stand up. If you have a good internet connection, the video is best viewed at 720p (HD).

Of course many of our activities did not make the video: Eva and Cath swimming to Picnic Island for Wednesday lunch, Eva teaching Lyra the "man overboard" drill in a kayak, the liberal use of our first aid kit, Will and Bill kayaking to 'blueberry island', our trips to Portland (and lunch at Duckfat!) and Will's obsessive watching of sensational TV masquerading as education on the History Channel.

As always, the team at Migis made this a wonderful and memorable vacation.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Eva and Will Water Skiing at Migis

Eva picked up water skiing easily when she first tried it two seasons ago. This is also Will's third season, and water skiing did not come as naturally to him. Now in his third season, he has joined the ranks of successful skiers, and loves it.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Arlington Chorus Fairies from A Midsummer Nights's Dream

This was taken after makeup, costumes and wigs before the Sunday matinee on the 15th. Not everyone made it into the photo, but quite a few of the group are here. I like this photo because it shows the variety of costumes (and wigs). All of the costumes seem to be variations on a pajama theme. Will's striped costume is so much like pajamas that he is now sleeping in it.

Via iPad