T-Ball

Landon had "a ball" playing T-Ball this year. He has a competitve side for sure and always wanted to know who won after the game. Here are some pictures taken of him during one of his games.

Warming up with Dad.

Check out that concentration!

Later in the season, they started to pitch it a couple times to the kids and Landon could hit it out of the air!

Running for home plate

Etame, the persistent fan of Landon's.

New York City Birthday Weekend

I was seriously spoiled last weekend when two of my best friends Monica and Michelle flew in from the west coast to spend my birthday weekend with me. I love you guys! We drove up from Baltimore and when we checked into the hotel, upon telling them it was my birthday and my friends were here for me, they upgraded us to the 55th floor in a mini-suite. Fabulous!

Overlooking ground zero construction. You can start to make out where each building and memorial will be located.



The Brooklyn Bridge

China Town.
We walked a lot!

I wish I had pictures of us in Walgreens at midnight, buying bandaids and flip flops! Oh, I also don't have pictures of us staying out 'til 2:30 in the morning while Monica (never fail) got picked up on. When we told the maitre d' how old we were and that we were married with kids, he asked if we were cougars. Well, not exactly. haha

Doughnut Plant.
Didn't live up to it's hype but it was fun to see the unique flavors - here, rose petal donuts.

Enjoying our massive, messy donuts

Riding the subways.
Oh, how I would love to live here. The energy, the simplicity in so many ways.

Our shopping loot.
We scored some good deals and found salespeople to be very friendly.

View from the freeway on the way home where we spent 1 1/2 hrs going 7 miles just leaving the city. Luckily the conversation was the best part of the trip and we were able to catch up. It was such a great time and I am truly honored to have such caring friends who want to spent time with me, enough to leave their families and small children and fly across the country for the weekend. This will definitely be an annual event. Girls weekend away that is.

Last Day of School

Today was Landon's last day at his preschool and for that, we had a party at the park! The weather is perfect, in the 80s with a light breeze. Clear skies. Bring on summer! The pool opens tomorrow too.

His two favorite teachers. Can you spot the difference in these two photos?



Teachers gifts that I was sewing late last night. Procrastination anyone? They turned out beautifully I think. Lined with contrasting fabric. They will be a go-to gift in the future.


While on a sewing roll, I finished up a shirt I was making for Landon. I appliqued this monster onto a plain tee. He drew the monster on a shirt so it's his own creation for all the world to see.

Landon and His Room

Landon has taken control over his domain. This is one reason I have been thinking lately he would cherish his own room. Tonight he took his new Brian Roberts bobblehead and put it outside his door and said, "This is to say that only boys allowed, and family and Lucy" (yep, Lucy's still a major part of his thoughts). He wants me to make a sign now that says just that. At least he will still let Etame in there.

Here is a picture of him in Hood River, taken in April when we had a glorious visit to Oregon:

That Hair...

Oh, that hair...

Secretly, I think he loves the longer hair. He complains about it and asks each morning if he has "crazy hair" but he says the girls comment on it so of course, anything that gets him more attention from the ladies is okay with him. Here he has a gourmet breakfast courtesy of the Calahans, our gracious hosts when we visit Oregon.

Etame's Birthday!

Etame's 1st Birthday was on the 1st of March! It seems like this year went by so quick. I suppose it's because it wasn't a full year. :-( I didn't miss the sleepless nights of newborn baby, yet I can't help but feel like we missed out on the first 5 months of her life. It never affected me as much as when I realized why the year went by so fast. She is so snuggly now, I can't imagine her as an newborn, so soft and cuddly.

So we are happily celebrating her first birthday. I thought of her birth mother on this day and wished we could somehow tell her how well Etame is doing and that we are thankful for this beautiful gift she has given us.

She had a great time with the wrapping paper and being able to try out new expressions in front of everyone.

Landon's Birthday

Landon turned 5 a couple weeks ago! We went duck pin bowling, which is a Baltimore past time, complete with a small ball and smaller pins It's not exclusively for kids, but fits well. We went to Mustang Alley, an urban bowling joint on the second floor with good food and a full bar (not for the birthday). He invited a couple friends and we had good fun for 2 hours.


Above is Lucy. She's Landon's heart throb and such a sweet girl. Hardly a day goes by when he doesn't tell me he's going to marry her.

Etame got into the fun too. She loved the pizza. Yes, we're calling her Etame now. It's a tribute to her Ethiopian heritage and means "full of love". For the sake of clarity, I have decided to use our first names on the blog from now on as well.


Daddy and Landon. Loving Calvin's new glasses.