Snow Day...and pictures of Lily!

So today we had our first "real" snow storm! I woke up this morning and eagerly turned on the news hoping for a school cancellation. Alas, the one inch accumulation resulted in closures for every district except DC public schools (mine). I actually felt a little ripped off, and had a momentary lapse of craziness as I got into my car with Lily and thought, "It is ridiculous that I have to drive in this snow...possibly one inch today? How can they still hold school????" I guess that means I am almost a true easterner now.

After Lily's nap (yes still only one hour, but today I managed to handle it well) we headed out to experience snow! This was her first true snow experience. Here were her top 5 phrases of the day:
"Uh oh, snow!"
"Oh, mama, snow!"
"Wanna go outside!"
"Look snow!"
"Mmmmmm....snow!"
It was so fun to watch her romp around. She discovered a love for the taste of snow. I guess that means I need to start teaching her about white versus yellow snow. Thank goodness we do not have any pets!

If you have talked to me within the last, oh I'd say, year or so, you have probably heard my sob story about nap time. Let's just say, Lily isn't a stellar napper (that being said, she IS a stellar sleeper, so I really can't complain). However, on this particular day, she had a terrific 1.5 hour nap. You've gotta love that nap hair that truly says, "I slept darn well Mama!" We are working on saying "cheese" when we take pictures...but this is the result. We might need a different word. Either way, she sure is a cute little bug!

My sighting of our new President!

Sorry, no pictures tonight...am I lazy or what??? It has been almost one month since I have posted! So much has changed in these last few weeks, with the biggest being our new President! Although we live super close to all of the excitement, I regret to say that we did not mix with the crowds for the big event. No, I sat in my cute friend Kim's home with her two children, and with Lily and watched history take place. We were warm, we heard, and saw it all up close! It was a spectacular event no matter who you voted for this last election. Do I think Obama is going to change the world? Not right away. However, I do think he has a "get it done" attitude and that he will make some great strides in terms of dealing with many current hot button issues. My hope is that he will inspire others to involve themselves in their communities, to build a stronger America one neighborhood at a time.

I will share my own little Obama spotting however...and I must say, I think I was closer to him than anyone who made it to the Mall for the Inauguration. So Monday the 19th, the day before the oath, I made a trip to Walter Reed to bring Ryan his cell phone. I called Ryan before I entered the base to let him know I was on my way and he said "I don't know if you will be able to get in....Obama is here." What????? I had a strong sense of determination fill my heart to get on that base and catch a glimpse of our new President! So I got in, walked in among the many Secret Service guys and dogs, went up to the call room, chatted with Ryan, roamed the halls a bit to see if we just by chance would run into him (we didn't), then decided we would just head home.

In the hospital there is a lower lobby and an upper lobby that overlooks the lower. Lily and I were in the lower lobby and I just felt like we should wait for a few moments to see by chance we would see him. After a few minutes, I looked up to see two Secret Service guys, and then the man himself....President Barak Obama in a long black coat, holding a black briefcase. He walked calmly by, stopped briefly, and I pointed up at him and said to Lily "Lily, that is our President! That is our President!" Then he was gone.

A young enlisted man was sitting next to me. "I have been waiting here for 20 minutes" he said to me with a huge smile and tears in his eyes.

God bless our new President, and our wonderful country!