Have you ever had one of those close-call moments while driving and think afterward that you’re lucky to be alive? I’m convinced that 2/3 of the drivers here must be feeling like that every second while in their vehicles. The chaos in traffic around here never ceases to amaze me. Checking your blind spot is no longer in fashion on the streets of D.C. Even though I always strive to be a cautious driver, I still don’t feel 100% safe when driving in this place. Not to worry, there have not been any collisions yet and hopefully never.

I’m so glad to be rid of last week. It was a doozy! We drove up to Baltimore to spend the holiday with some friends that are also from Minnesota. Though the weather was stifling we still enjoyed ourselves during a parade and a barbeque. Upon driving into the town that we call home we noticed an eerie blackness all around. Police were conducting traffic at busy intersections, and darkness enveloped us. As we got closer to home we finally realized that there must have been a huge storm. There were trees down everywhere, and we even saw an electric pole leaning over a busy street with the lines on the ground. Our house was also without power. The girls knew something abnormal was happening and didn’t want to go bed right away even though it was after 9:00 p.m. We were finally able to calm them to sleep. Mike and I endured a hot night without our beloved A/C unit in our bedroom window. The next day had to go on which meant Mike went back to work, but we were still lacking electricity. With the daylight radiating I was able to assess all the damage done to our house and yard. Thankfully, nothing major happened, but there were heaps of fallen leaves, limbs, and sticks to contend with (3 garbage buckets full, in fact). So I spent the day picking up the mess while the girls “assisted”. At last, the electricity was restored at around 4:30 p.m. (just in time to cook dinner—ugh!). The next day everyone woke up with awful colds and lasted through the weekend. What a way to end such a wonderful week!

Annie is happy to report to ANYONE that she will now go #2 in the potty. She is always so proud of herself when she goes. “I went poo-poo on the potty,” has been heard by many. Another accomplishment that I’m sure Grandma Olsen will want to know about is that Annie loves to put puzzles together. We have a set of puzzles that range from 4 pieces up to 9 pieces. Annie is now able to easily put together any of the 9-piece puzzles. I suppose we should invest in some different and more complicated ones to keep her interested. Annie’s personality (almost) always keeps a smile on my face. Periodically we say “maybe” or “it’s for later” in response to some of Annie’s requests. Annie seems to accept these answers easier than just a flat out “NO”. So now Annie will sometimes answer her own questions with those replies if she senses that we will not allow her something she requests. This is cute enough to here her do that, but it’s even cuter to see the charming batting of the eyelashes that she usually gives. How can someone resist that? Annie and Mimi rode on their very first merry-go-round. They both loved it. Annie also had the added bonus of being accompanied by her favorite “uncle” Tiger.

Mimi is our garbage disposal. That child will eat just about anything (edible that is) placed before her. When Grandma Olsen was visiting, we had some fresh cherries to eat one day at lunch. The next night when I put them on the table, I thought Mimi was going to have a fit if I didn’t give her one immediately. Then just yesterday, I shoved some sauerkraut in her mouth figuring she would detest it (since Annie vomited hers back up). Mimi screamed for more when she realized I wasn’t going to give her more. She must get it from Mike because I was (and still am) the pickiest eater. Mimi still dislikes going to the YMCA babysitting room. As soon as she sees the building where the childcare is, she instantly starts to scream. I can’t understand why she becomes so distraught over it because when I go to get her an hour and a half later she is playing so happily. Swim lessons are also not her favorite thing to do. The second lesson’s activities could not please her. No matter what I did to entertain her she wanted nothing more than to just get out of the pool. What really ticks me off is that when we go swimming at home she is as happy as a clam in the water. The only difference is that her precious daddy is the one doing all the entertaining. Can you sense my irritation? I asked Mike if he would like to take her to her next lesson, but he’s just too busy. Urgh, fifty bucks down the drain!

Before you go, check out the girls’ latest pictures on their July 2006 album on the girls’ page.