The Next Olga Korbut?

1. Trying out the trampoline
2. Learning to tumble
3. "Fall of the beam, and there will be no lunch for you today!"


[Phil]
Ana and I just started parent-child gymnastics classes this week at Sport Art Gymnastics in Chapel Hill. It was great fun. This little girl definitely needs an outlet for her boundless energy! We also bought her a kiddie tennis racket yesterday. Swim lessons are next on the list! A bored Ana is not a happy Ana, as we have learned too well!

Photos from Ana's Christening

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1. Ana puttering around with "Rebyonok" ("Baby") in our house an hour before the service. We had her wear the "Ana" dress since Christening represents a child's being awarded his or her Christian name.
2. Ana, Robin, and the Godparents.
3. The Dutch side of the family! Can you tell???
4. The Hammonds (minus Aunt Helen - I I think she was helping set up for the post-baptism dinner at that point).
5. Isabel, Keegan, and Ana playing during the post-baptism party.
6. Grandpapa Philip and Ana.
7. Aunt Helen and Ana.

[Robin]

Ana was very excited about the Christening. We think this is because Phil told her that we were having a party for her. When she got to the church, she just squealed with excitement to see all her cousins, friends, and family members. She stood up on the pew and pointed at everyone. Nevertheless, she (to our great relief) was on her best behavior during the service (minimal squirming!). This was accomplished by sandwiching her between Isabel (our Goddaughter and a very mature six year old) and Godfather Spott. They kept her entertained and "shushed" her appropriately. And, Linda gave Ana the sweetest lace gloves and pearly handbag for the Christening, so she spent a good deal of time trying these on and off during the service. When we got back to the house we had a great time enjoying one another's company. The grown-ups in the upstairs with drinks in hand; the kids downstairs with juice. Ana was thrilled to see everyone there--the Williams family (Godparents), Aunt Helen, Godmother Carmen, Godfather Spott, Phil's Dad and Linda (Grandpapa and Memama), Phil's Mom and Baxter (Baba and Papa Baxter), Phil's Aunt Beth and Uncle Skip (B & Skip), my Mom and Dad (Grandma and Grandpa), and my sister Tina and her kids. Phil's mom made "rebirth" cookies with butterflies that were all the rage at the event.

[Phil]
Basically, the adults stayed upstairs, ate Time Out fried chicken, had some cocktails, and watched football. The kids were sort of a dim roar from the basement rec room. At one point they were playing some game that seemed to be "Run Away from the Toy Mop!"

It was a great time overall, and Tammy at Chapel of the Cross did a great job making all of us feel relaxed. And thanks to the Waters and Brown families for coming to the service. We're sad that you couldn't make the after-party. Believe me, there were a lot of biscuits left!

A World Away from Kramatorsk

1. Dancing with Papa
2. At the indoor pool
3. Watching the skiers and snowboarders at the Mountain Lodge
4. Relaxing with a cookie in the Great Hall

Last weekend we had the great pleasure of taking Ana to our favorite vacation destination, The Homestead resort in Hot Springs, Virginia. The trip was our collective Christmas present to one another. We arrived Friday afternoon and immediately took Ana to the Homestead's bowling alley, which is in the basement of the spa, next to the indoor, spring-fed swimming pool. The lightest ball they had was 8 pounds, so we helped her roll it toward the pins. There's no way she could lift it by herself! Interestingly, she was only excited about the rolling of the ball and not at all concerned about how many pins she knocked over.

During the evenings, The Homestead offers dinner and dancing in the main ballroom. Mama and Papa had grilled duck breast and a "tuna parfait", while Ana had spaghetti and french fries. At first she was intimidated by the live band that was playing, but we did manage to get her out on the floor for a little dancing.

Probably her favorite activity was swimming in the indoor pool. As I mentioned before, it's fed by a natural hot spring, so the water is very warm and smells great. Ana was hesitant at first (I'm not sure she's ever been in a pool), but then got in Mama's arms with some coaxing. After that, she totally loved the pool. The only bad part was when Papa succumbed to Ana's cries of "Ya sama!" ("I can do it myself") and let go of her briefly. She promptly sank like a stone and I quickly retrieved my shocked and sputtering daughter. But she's a trouper and very quickly got over the scare.

This Sunday will be Ana's Christening at our church. We're having it during the 5:15 service, since that's the one we usually attend. We took Ana there for a trial run when we got back on Sunday, and it was a total disaster! She still doesn't understand the concept of being quiet at certain times. We left the church during the second hymn, much to the relief of our fellow parishioners! This Sunday we plan to keep her out on the playground until the appointed time. Wish us luck!

-Phil