Clifford the Big Red Dog

This morning, I had every intention of going to workout. It took me 10 minutes to go less then a half a mile. I gave up. I decided to head home instead of fighting the traffic and see if we should do something really fun. Port Discovery is offering half off admission for zoo members (YAY!) and they have a new Clifford exhibit! We called up Sarah and A and told them to join us for some fun! The kids had a blast, we ran around like crazies taking pics of our cuties. Then, right as we were ready to leave, Clifford made an appearance. I reluctantly took E out to see him, this being the first character he's ever been up close too. I fully expected tears, instead I got pushed out of the way and E ran into Clifford's big red arms. Go figure. We wrapped it up and walked to grab some lunch. Such a great morning, with two lovely ladies and a big red dog! xoxo

Hi Clifford, here's a bone!

Driving the ferry

A and E working Clifford's dish

E was fully entertained by this interactive pond

Building Sandcastles!

Silly Mister

A is gently playing, while E is chucking balls around

Hugs from Clifford





GOLF! Pleease Mama!!

So this Tuesday was our errand day. I had a ton of things to accomplish, one thing was to go to Micheal's for some supplies for this year's valentine (which is adorable!!). Micheal's is right next to Dicks Sporting Goods. Every time Brian is anywhere near Dick's, he takes E to go look at the golf clubs. So here we are strolling into Micheal's and E is shouting, "GOLF! Pleeease Mama?!" At first, I was trying to figure out why my child had the sudden urge to golf. Then, I saw where E was pointing. I quickly convinced him that we were going to look at colors, and that Daddy is the one who he golfs with. After some serious discussion we entered Micheal's, got finished, and zoomed home for a nap. I had to call Brian and tell him about E's golf request. Well, an hour after I talked to B, he called me to tell me that he would be coming home early due to the gorgeous weather (55 degrees!) and he wanted to take E to hit some balls at the park.We hit the park, found a nice sunny spot and E and Brian hit some balls while Ferrous and I cheered them on. What a perfect afternoon! What a fabulous Daddy! Enjoy the pics! xoxox

Lining up his shot!

Watching daddy chip

Nice swing!

Winter Fun

This Saturday, we finally got some winter weather! We got a good combo of snow and ice and when E woke up from his nap, we all bundled up to go to the park. Even Tio Tank came along and threw around the ball with E and Brian. Enjoy some pics! xoxo

Trudging through the snow & ice!

Tio Tank going in for the save :)

E is monkey in the middle!

Catching up...

So E got sick last week, so we hit this week running! I am sitting in front of my computer, sipping hot chocolate, and eating a yummy chocolate croissant. I am ready to fire out a few posts from this week, so bear with me because there is going to be some serious posting today! xoxox

Sunny Days, Chasing the Clouds Away

This morning we woke up to blah. It was rainy and plain miserable out. Which would have been fine if we didn't have an appointment to tour a preschool this morning. So E and I bundled up, put on our rain boots, and grabbed the umbrellas. The preschool tour was great and we really enjoyed it. Hopefully we can get a spot in one of the two we have applied for! After the tour we called up BB to see if she wanted to meet up for lunch. The whole car ride to lunch, E was pleading for lunch with BB. Once we got there, he ate a ton, played, and loved on his BB. By the time we were driving home, I could see the sun poking through the clouds. When we got out of the car, I realized it was getting warmer too! E went down for his nap, and I set off cleaning - admiring that sunlight from within the house. My phone rings, I pick it up. It's Brian, he too was admiring the sunlight in his office and decided to come home super early so we could go to the park with E and Ferrous. It was a perfect afternoon. Brian came home right as E got up from his nap, we put on our coats, leashed the pup, and headed out. We took E's new Ravens football that he's obsessed with to throw around. We found a sunny spot and soaked up the sun and fun before heading home for a wonderful evening. I love these boys! xoxox

GO RAVENS! This greeted us at the park :)

Ready to launch!

I'm waiting dad!

running it to the endzone!

the boys :)

Thank goodness for Tiny Town

I am sure that in one of my past posts, I talked about Tiny Town. It's this play area in the mall, and it has make my child happy on numerous occasions. Today, it definitely saved the day. The weather was supposed to get into the 60's (what month is it again?!) and we had planned to go play outside at the tot lot with everyone after a good workout. I even packed lunch for E and I. Left the house and the sun hadn't even peeked out of the clouds, and it was still in the 40's. As I was driving, I also realized that there was no way that the playground would be dry enough for the kids to have fun. When I was making these realizations, five police cars zoomed past me onto the JFX. That is never good. I drove along perfectly expecting stand still traffic, and then saw the wall of police cars and cones that were guiding everyone off the expressway-fabulous. After a VERY scenic tour of Baltimore I make it to the mall and get my workout on for the remainder of class. Sarah and Megan both agree there is no way we are making it outside with sub par conditions. We do some light browsing of sales before taking our three rowdy toddlers downstairs to Tiny Town. These kids ran around like maniacs and loved every minute of it. Megan and N left when N figured out how to open the door and go into the mall by himself. Sarah and I took E and A a short while later to shop (awesome bargains and super cute buys) since E is outgrowing all of his clothes again! We topped it off with some serious people watching and lunch in the food court. We ran to put the kids in the car and said goodbye. E was asleep by the time I hit the JFX and he took a four hour nap. I was able to get a ton done! I love Tiny Town. The sun came out and it was lovely. When E was napping, of course. So Ferrous and I enjoyed it for a bit from the stoop, like a true Bawlmer folk. My legs are so sore I can barely move from the workout. What started out to be a mess of a day turned into a fabulous day!  Enjoy a few pics I snapped of the kids playing and a bonus pic of E and his new hat. xoxo

N and E being sillies

Taking some time to stop and smell the flowers

hamming it up

My sweet E in his new hat

December 2011

Its been about a month since I last posted! I took a break from blogging to focus on our family and all that had happened. In that time, Brian and I did a ton of talking, some crying, and pulled ourselves up by our bootstraps. We went to Texas and Arizona for two and a half weeks to spend the holidays with our families. E was so excited about flying that he was the best passenger (thank god). E was in love with all his family, and they absolutely spoiled him rotten (and us for that matter).  I loved spending so much time with my parents and brothers. It was like being wrapped up in an old favorite blanket that warms you inside and out.  The snow that crested the mountains and fell for three straight days was breathtaking. The hike in the mountain snow we took on Christmas Eve was an amazing memory. Getting spoiled with your mom's cooking is the best. The excitement on E's face on Christmas day was phenomenal, and the best Christmas present ever. Watching my sister in law face her battle with breast cancer head on was overwhelmingly inspiring. Getting a massage was so so needed. Shedding some tears with some family that asked,"How are you?" was healing. Getting asked when we plan on having more children was painful. It was fantastic to see E with all of his cousins. He ran right into the thick of things and loved playing with them all. Making a 9 mile pilgrimage to the mission was cleansing. Seeing my mom sit and read E a bedtime story was heartwarming. Watching my dad sit and draw with E for almost an hour was stirring. E having a special monkey yell with his tios Stevie and Justin was priceless. Brian watching E play in the front yard of his grandparents house (now his sister's house) was surreal to him. To observe my mother and father in law completely melt when E gave them kisses or said, "Nana or Grandpa Gene" was fabulous. Hearing E yell down the hallway for his Nanny Ellen was hysterical. Seeing E play with one of my oldest friend's baby girl was tear jerking. The trip was chaotic, so much to do in such a small amount of time. It was good medicine. It was just what the doctor ordered. We came back missing everyone back in Texas/Arizona; so happy to see our Ferrous Blue, and our big comfy bed. We unpacked, decompressed, and put all the loose pieces from our life back together. So long 2011, 2012 is here and I know it is going to be one crazy, amazing year! Cheers! xoxox