In order to recreate the details and textures of a piece of art work, a lot of preparation (like collecting material and conducting deep studies and thorough investigations) needs to happen. Let's take a peek into young artists in the midst of research...

It's Firehouse week, so a lot of red is being used. The babies are painting the firehouse here, I believe. Earlier this week, they all did excellent paintings of fire, which are currently on display outside of their classroom.

The weather in Maryland was beautiful today. High-70s, somewhat low humidity, and a gentle breeze. A mix of large, poofy white clouds and dark ominous ones, broken up by patches of bright blue sky. It would have been criminal to not take advantage of the great outdoors.

So, we went to the Kentlands for a stroll around the neighborhood, met up with Ingemar, Olya, and Elijah for lunch at a little cafe, then sauntered through the neighborhood for another hour or so. They showed us the Kentlands mansion and Art Barn - easily the most advertised locations in the Kentlands community, but we have never been able to find them during our many walks....silly, really.

The writers of "The Family Guy" need to come to our house and observe the actions of our toddler and her violent tendencies toward her mother to use as material for the ongoing Stewie vs Lois battle.

Abby's been fighting a cold the last few days; fever, cough, runny nose, lethargy, etc. Today, I knew she was feeling better because she started unleashing deliberate attacks on me!

On our way to dinner, I asked her, "Abby, are you hungry? Do you want to eat?"

She makes the sign gesture for eat, telling me she was indeed hungry. I grabbed a graham cracker and handed it to her, but she swatted it away, grabbed my hand, shoved it in her mouth and bit down hard on my fingers!

Moments later...I can't recall what I was doing...but a pacifier hits me hard on the cheek. It bounces back into Abby's lap, as she was sitting in her car seat. She picks it up and throws it again at my face, hitting me square on the nose! The force in which she used to fling the pacifier caused both of her feet to fly up in the air.

Is this juvenile coercion considered normal? When does this phase pass? It will pass....won't it?

Abby had a fever this morning, with cough and runny nose, so we stayed home today. By late morning, she was feeling pretty good. Here are some cute pictures of her.

Oh, by the way, she's wearing new leggings by BabyLegs. They're little leg-warmers - like ones from the '80's, but pretty fashionable. Having these allow her to be able to wear skirts and dresses without scratching up her legs. And because they're not tights, diaper changes are super easy.

When she wants to dance, Abby climbs upstairs to get to the railing outside of our bedroom and requests her dancing song, "The Ants Go Marching."

I just took a neat online personality assessment test, based completely on selecting color preferences (I like looking at yellow more than teal, for example) where the results seem to be strangely more accurate than the ones I get every time I've had to take a Myers-Briggs assessment.

The test is called the Color Career Counselor, offered by CareerBuilder.com, and initial results are free. A more detailed report can be purchased.

The color test is based off of a patented Dewey Color System which is a validated personality testing instrument; the first to recognize the connection between personality and the four distinct color categories: Primary, Secondary, Achromatic, and Intermediate Colors. It claims to reveal who you really are - not who you believe yourself to be!

Anyway, my color preferences indicate that the occupation categories below best suit my personality and interests. I guess I'm lucky that being an engineer with a large corporation fits my personality decently enough!

BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY

You're an ORGANIZER

Key Words: Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate

These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

2nd BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY

You're a DOER

Key Words: Emotionally Stable, Reliable, High Energy, Practical, Thrifty, and Persistent

These adventurous types prefer action-oriented, concrete problems rather than dealing with thought-provoking, ambiguous, abstract dilemmas. Fields of interest include mechanical, construction, and outdoor careers. They might also enjoy working with machines, tools, and equipment to repair or build something.

I just love seeing photos of Abigail at school. I know that when we are not with her she is having a lot of fun, learning a lot, and is very happy.


"I don't think that's where it goes..."


"Mmmm...vegetable stew with rice." Spoons are still a little tricky.


So much fun with a parachute!

A couple of years ago, my office had a Diversity Day event where several of us brought in various types of beverages for everyone to try - bubble tea, chai, jasmine tea, coffee, etc. I did an online search and found a really easy recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate, so I tailored it to make it easy for transporting to the office and made a big batch. To my pleasant surprise, it was delicious and was a HUGE hit at the office!