Jack of All Trades

My hubby stayed home from work today, getting some odds and ends stuff done in preparation for Hurricane Irene that is gonna brush by Maryland. He made sure the trap doors to the basement were sealed tight, looked at all the windows and inspected caulking, and went on to the roof and found a place that was questionable - so he patched it. He then proceeded to go over to E's godmothers house and inspected a window in question and picked up some yard debris to take to the dump. He then went to his best friend's house (E's godfather) to help him move all of his deck furniture off of his rooftop deck.
 How great is it that he is quite the jack of all trades! From being an engineer by profession to drawing amazing architectural drawings for house stuff. Then he can rebuild a carburetor on Bender, or look at the suspension on my SUV to make sure that noise is OK. He can do anything around the house, anything - design and install our whole office complete with custom counters or update the entire electrical system in our whole house. How about the flowers and prosecco he surprised me with last Saturday or that he takes E in the mornings on Saturdays to give me some sleep in time (which I SO love to sleep in). Then there is the fact that I have been with this amazing guy for 15 years this week. We were only 16 when we started dating, and we have been together ever since. Not one breakup. We have been married for 8 years now, and I feel like this whole new chapter was just opened when E was born. Folks, he is a wonderful daddy. He loves his boy, and his boy loves him. He is home most everyday at 5:45, so he can play with E, eat as a family, and then he gives E a bath and puts him to bed (sometimes together because I love nighttime snuggles).  I love the fact that we do this crazy parent thing together so well, often laughing, sometimes frustrated (E is a toddler). I hope that E grows up to be just like his amazing daddy, because he is one heck of a guy <3.

E's first heart to heart with Daddy

Brand new chapter

Perfect Weather

Yesterday I saw on Facebook that the zoo was trucking in the reminants of the Mt. Pleasant Ice Rink to the polar bears...how FUN!  So I needless to say that warranted a trip to the zoo, so E and I met up with my gf and her daughter C. We arrived at 9:55am, the zoo opens at 10am, and the member line was long and winding. So we shleped in line and soaked up the perfect weather...low 80s with a light breeze and no humidity! We arrived inside the gates and met up with my gf and C and went to see the polar bears. My goodness, there were a ton of people, not to mention news media, and zoo photographers. We peeked at the people and quickly headed to the Africa exhibit, since the polar bears were not going anywhere. We saw a TON of animals pretty up close today, which was fun for the kiddos. We went through the exhibit, then decided it was time for lunch, started our picnic. E had no part of sitting down today, so after I bit I strapped him in and C let him have her cheese stick. After the mommies grabbed a diet coke, we headed over to redeem our free frozen treat, ice cream.  We all went for strawberry ice cream and camped out and yum-yummed our way through it. On our way out we stopped by the polar bears again, and got a front row seat to see them L O V E every bit of that ice. By that time the kiddos had the most sleepy eyes in town and we rushed to the cars to get them loaded and home. What a beautiful day! Enjoy some pics! XOXOX

Polar Bears loving the ice!

aww..the bears are so cute!

checking out the zebras, rhinos, and ostriches

C's ice cream face!

Zoorific time!

This Wednesday, E and I chilled on the patio after breakfast. I with a latte in hand, E with a golf club. The weather was breathtakingly perfect. I instantly decided this was not a day for working out (read: lack of total motivation w/o Sarah to make me go to SS) and grabbed my phone and quickly composed a text to see who was up for some fun at the zoo. Well, thankfully one of my gfs, Megan who is N's mom, was up for some fun and was actually headed to the zoo with a neighbor and some of her friends. We packed a picnic lunch, our trusty all weather blanket, and the diaper bag and headed to the zoo.  We got all the kids locked and loaded and headed in, and my goodness there were a ton of us. We went to the Africa exhibit, and made it to feed the Giraffes! We were at the Elephants when we decided it was time for lunch. Unfurled our blankets and started eating, more like herding cats - there were 5 toddlers and 2 infants. It was fun, the kids ate each others foods, the babies were passed around to herd toddlers, and the adults actually had some great convo. By far my favorite moment of the day is when N was trying to get into the Elephant exhibit. He was sticking his bottom through the fence when Megan grabbed him. I tell you, these boys! Needless to say, the kids had a blast and the parents all agreed that we should make a Saturday play group, since the kids and parents got along so well. We'll just say that it will be a muffins and coffee/mimosa playgroup, the more casual the better. What a great day, and it all started with a whim and a text...I love it when it all falls into place! xoxo

E checking out the gazelles

E & I feeding Angel the giraffe

The herd of us

Lunch chaos

E and N running

E and N checking out the binoculars

E loving on the goats in the petting zoo

Wonderful Wedding Week

Photo booth pics

waiting in line for the photo booth

        So last week we were MIA. That my friends, is because it was quite chaotic! It was the week leading up to our dear friends, Dan and Christy, wedding. Brian and I were both in the wedding and it was the first wedding that E attended that he could get down and boogy! Our BFF's, the Tanks, flew in from Houston on Wednesday and stayed with us for the week. So, needless to say, there was a ton of quality adult time had and E got to spend some quality time with his Tia and Tio Tank. Tia Betty and I knocked out to-do lists like champs and had a blast doing so. The wedding was beautiful, we had a blast, E was well taken care of by a host of friends (Auntie Dennis) when we were standing along side Dan & Christy and all the pics after. The night was fun, lots of dancing, singing, and picture booth opportunities. E crashed out in his stroller and didn't budge when we put him in his car seat. We left him in our room with his babysitter and went to the after party, then the after-after party. Such a great time.

Ready to rock! The MOH and I



Dr. and Mrs. Brian Schuster :)



The beautiful bride

On the beach taking pics

E showing his mama some love!

Love this boy!

Looking dapper in his suit and loving the attention from the ladies!

Getting a drink with his Nino Andy

Crashed out with his giraffe!

Rockin out with the bride and groom :)

Woke up in the morning with all our besties piled in our room crashed out, giggling about all the nights events, like we were all in HS. Ate breakfast and hit the beach, before it started pouring again. E had a blast, so did we. Made me realize what amazing friends we have, and how big of a part they are to our little family. Our son is so loved, he has a host of people who spoil him and love him to pieces. Those same people are always by our side, ready to help, or there for whatever - be it chatting for hours or helping get through rough times (read: Brian's dissertation and home renovation). I love my husband and beautiful child. I love my life and all of the great people in it that make it rich with happiness and love! Cheers!xoxox  

Screaming with happiness!!

YAY for splashing!

My Tia Betty helping me out!

This boy loves the water

Llamas, Chickens, Bunnies, and Ponies! Oh MY!

Today was the annual pony ride and petting zoo extravaganza at E's godmother, BB's work. Let me tell you, last year E was so so interested in the pummel of the saddle and not much else. This year my friends, he was so excited!! All week E and I had been discussing the horses and animals he'd be seeing. He was primed and ready. He was begging for more rides, and held on all by himself. He smiled the whole time, and if the pony stopped, he'd yell "giddy up!" or "go!" The bunnies and llama were second favorites. E was fascinated by the llama, named Dali Llama no less. He'd run up and poke his nose, pet his body, and try and lay on him. I was convinced he was gonna get spit on. After two hours of fun, we packed up and went to Chick-fil-a for lunch with BB, Dolores, and Ms. Caroline (BB's niece). E was famished from so much fun and so were we. Ms. Caroline took E for a jaunt in the Chick-fil-a play area, and he was so hungry from that he ate more! After E finally crashed, we said our goodbyes and ran to our cars. I might have stopped for a milkshake on my way out...so yummy. Enjoy the pics I snapped of such a FABULOUS day! xoxox

Loving on the purple pony

"hey goat, nice horns!"

"Man, this is a blast"

"Finally, ducks I can touch! The ones at the park don't let that happen!"

One more time!

Post riding happiness!

Grabbing a snack and some love from my BB

Being this cute is exhausting!

"Hey Dali, you mind if I sit with you?"

XOXO

Charm City Kids Club!

This week's Thursday Playdate was a trip to the Charm City Kids Club. It just opened!  My gf's and I packed up the kids and went to check it out. They have an open play area for the kids that is oh-so-adorable! I'm talking diner, a mini Whole Foods, a theater - with tons of stuff inside! E got to run around with his buddies C and N - let me tell you they had a blast! I cannot wait to take my gf Sarah and, E's bestie, A here when they come back from vacay.

We might or might not have had entirely too much fun dressing up the kids in costumes and making them pose. It was well worth the money for all the picture ops! We played our hearts out and were starving! We said goodbye to N and his mommy (she had a crazy afternoon ahead) and C and her mommy and E and I went to lunch. What a great day, despite the dreary weather today, fun was had by all! Check out my favorite shots from today!

Hanging out at the diner!

E and N crusin'! E is trying to ride like GiGi!

"What would you like me to bake you?"

A princess and fireman are eating at a diner...

ARRRRH mateys!

Fire? Where? Have no fear Firefighter E is here!

E is doing his best Alton Brown

"E! I think I dropped my purse?"

"Anyone seen my glass slipper?"

"I want one just like this when I turn 16"

"I could get used to a roadster"

"Yeah! Nice ride, easy steering! We'd have to get different colors though"

"So much fun today!"

"Tell me about it! I'm starving!"

PS - tomorrow is a super exciting day-look for tomorrow's post! It'll be fabulous!
xoxo