Nora and I went for a walk this morning, "into the woods". She was a little apprehensive when I first proposed that ("wel een beetje griezelig") but after we discussed the relative low prospect of meeting bears or Gruffalo monsters, she went along.

We walked in the Potomac Overlook Park. In the visitor center we saw several animals, including five different types of snakes and a taxidermy model of a bear and several other animals. We also saw three life predator birds.

We had a great walk through the woods.

Yesterday we got our Christmas tree. We went to Home Depot since last year's tree from Whole Foods was too big. With the playpen and Nora's toys we have little room to spare.

It was nice to see our the old ornaments again. Nora helped decorating the tree, the boys looked at the lights with interest. We moved their playpen to the other side of the room so they have a new view now.

Nora was teaching Leo how to climb today. "Oefenen te klauteren", as she said.

Leo is now capable of kicking open the cage when we leave it half-open so we had to start fully closing it. Nora wanted a way in and out of the cage which we provided.

Leo can now truly crawl. He also started pulling himself up on the fence of the baby pen. That come with the problem that he doesn't quite know how to let go, so we might need to rescue him now sometimes. If the gate is open, he'll maneuver himself to there and when I then say "nee!" he'll start laughing. He laughs frequently.

Adrian can sit up very well and likes to sit by himself for a long period of time, quietly playing. He likes trying out various Duplo bricks that Nora brings into the baby pen. He is very persistent. When someone takes his toy away, he can get angry and will keep looking for that specific toy -- Leo doesn't do that as much. When I put Adrian in bath he'll immediately look around for the rubber ducky. From very early on he makes this cute move with his neck: stretch out looking back, in order to see what was happening behind him.

They enjoy spending time in the play pen. When they're in their high chairs for too long they get bored and cranky.

They both start saying or repeating words. It's very early of course, but the beginning is there. When they are sitting in their chairs, and we come to them to pick them up, they'll lift their arms in anticipation. Leo loves clapping his hand and seeing people's reactions. He responds to both kun jij klappen? as well as плашкай рьчички which is quite hopeful. Pretty sure he says "klap" too. On 12/19 Adrian clapped as well, after we were talking with Leo and he was showing his skills.

Nora thinks she can understand the boys saying various words. Tonight she told Sasha: той каза Елай! Adrian loves it when Nora plays with him and the big beach ball.

Sometimes they "talk" together, or repeat each others sounds. Very cute. They absolutely love it when we read to them. Adrian in particular likes Het ei and I'm pretty sure he said "ee[n]tje".

When I take one of the boys out of his bath I'll lift him in the air and gentle shake him. Leo loves that -- he likes it when things are 'scary'. Adrian is a lot more cautious. He might give a careful smile but I always feel he would be perfectly happy without the scare, thank you very much.