Said at the Smithsonian

Dave had the day off on Monday, because a truly fabulous storm knocked out power all over town over the weekend.  Luckily, our power stayed on and we enjoyed a 3-day weekend.  Happily, the Smithsonian also had power, and so our family explored the Freer Gallery of Art and some of the gardens surrounding it.  A few interesting tidbits from our kids:

Smithsonian lady:  Where are you from?
Lilly:  America.
Smithsonian lady (seeming rather thrown): Yes, but what part of America.
Lilly (without pause):  St. Louis

Dave and I were both surprised by her answer.

Later, in a Chinese garden modeled after the Temple of Heaven in Beijing:

Sophia:  That looks beautiful.  Can we go there?
Mommy:  We have been there, and it was beautiful.
Sophia:  Where is it?
Mommy:  Its in China.
Sophia:  Will we ever go to China again?
Mommy:  Probably.
Sophia:  Good.  I'd like to see what it looks like.
Mommy:  You mean this garden?
Sophia:  No, I mean China.  I'd like to see what it looks like.

We have passed some pretty significant milestones in this house.  Dave has finished his job with the Department of Human Rights, Democracy and Labor.  He has moved on to Spanish language training at the Foreign Service Institute.  We have lived at the same address for longer than 364 days - a first for our Sophia.  Annika has lived in the U.S. for over half of her life.  Lilly will very nearly miss that goal when we leave for Venezuela in December.