alex visits dc | manners

Our nephew Alex recently visited from TX, and he sure had us running around town! Fortunately the weather warmed up a little bit so we could enjoy our sightseeing adventures. Some notable places we visited this time around that we haven't seen before were the United States Botanic Gardens (I would live there if I could - and if someone gardened for me!) and the National Museum of American History. Elliott sure liked having her cousin Alex around, and delighted in saying his name over and over again. Thanks for coming all the way to DC to see us, Alex! Here are our pictures from the visit:

The other subject of this post refers to Elliott's recent progress in the bizarre world of manners. We never really out and out teach her to say the "magic words," as they just seem so abstract for a little toddler to grasp. But I guess she's been picking up on our behavior just by watching us. We were leaving a restaurant the other day when I heard her say, nice and loudly to no one in particular, "Bye! Thank you!" A waitress heard her and was like, "Awww, she's the cutest thing!" Thanks, waitress. We think so, too!

As if it could get any better than that, the following morning I sneezed in front of her, and she looked me right in the eye and said, "Bless you!" I nearly melted! She has blessed me every sneeze since. It just makes me want to fake sneeze so I can hear her sweet little voice saying "bless you," but I've managed to resist. (She would probably be on to me anyway, knowing her!)

Here are some pictures of her from this morning in her brand new big girl booster seat. Time to retire the high chair and make space in the dining room for her new birthday kitchen!