Friday, May 29, 2009

How Tweet!

I just so happened to notice a lot of bird activity on the front porch the other day, so I had to check the nest in the fern to see what was going on.

Here’s what I found:

IMG_4814

IMG_4814 IMG_4815

Isn’t that picture with the baby bird’s mouth open hilarious? I nearly peed myself when I first saw it on the computer! The poor little thing just wants it’s mama…or some food or something! We didn’t get the best pictures because I was so afraid that if we messed around too long the mama would abandon them or something. And she was really squawking at us from the tree anyways…so, these are the only two we got. I might just try to sneak in another couple pics tomorrow…I just can’t help myself!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Sims 3!!!

I. Can’t. Wait.

Tony posted one of the trailers for this on his site, so I had to immediately go online and find more trailers to watch! The game looks awesome and I CANNOT wait! See for yourself:

Go here to see some screenshots or here to see more of these awesome trailers!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Memorial Day

IMG_4709

Thank you to all the men and women who have served to protect our country. I think most of us generally take our freedom for granted, possibly because most of us have never lived any other way…but today, I do want to acknowledge how grateful I am for all that these men and women have sacrificed in order to ensure our rights as Americans.

I am especially grateful for my father, who bravely chose to go over and help set up polygraph programs. He may not be on the front lines in this war, but he has voluntarily gone into dangerous territory to implement programs that benefit us all. We all miss him terribly and are looking forward to the day he returns safely home to us…I hope he knows how much we all love and miss him!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

D.C. in a Day (pt. 2)

IMG_4757

This is the view of the Jefferson Memorial from across the basin. It was a LONG walk from one side to the other, but we were able to stop and eat lunch along the way to break up the distance.

IMG_4770IMG_4790IMG_4777

Our next to last stop for the day was at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The line to get in was very long, but we decided to wait it out since it seemed to be moving pretty quickly. We couldn’t get tickets for the permanent exhibits, so we just walked around the free areas.

There was one exhibit that told the story of the Holocaust from a child’s point of view, and that was very interesting and sad at the same time. It was easy for Landon to understand and the actual exhibit was really well done. At the beginning you see how the child lived before the Holocaust, then you travel through the ghetto and eventually to the concentration camp. It was very sad, but this exhibit showed how the child’s life changed from one stage to the next.

I didn’t get to take many photo’s inside the Holocaust museum, they only allowed photo’s in certain areas. The poster was outside the museum and Zoe is looking at tiles that were created by children about the Holocaust. There were hundreds of them, all unique and interesting.

IMG_4795

IMG_4801

IMG_4803

After the Holocaust museum (and a soda/shade break) we headed into the National Museum of American History. It was packed inside, so we only stayed a few minutes. We were all pretty tired at this point, so the only photo I got was of this mirrored, wavy flag on the wall. Underneath it says: The Star Spangled Banner, The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem. Zoe and I thought it looked really cool!

IMG_4808

On our way back to the Metro, Landon decided he needed to go to the bathroom (for the hundredth time!) so he and I ran over to the Smithsonian Castle where I got these last couple shots. The first is inside the building with the loot, and the second is back across the street on our way back to the Metro station.

IMG_4810IMG_4811

We had such a great day…hopefully we’ll go back sometime soon! Next time we go, I think it would be really fun to tour the city like this:

IMG_4804

Or this:

IMG_4805

Saturday, May 23, 2009

D.C. in a Day

Tony and I didn’t want to sit in the house all weekend with bored kids, so we decided to make the most of the gorgeous weather and we headed over to DC. We took the Metro, which always makes the kids happy, and got to Smithsonian station around 10:30 or so. We had a lot planned, and actually did everything we had planned plus a few extra’s.

Our first stop was the Washington Monument where we had planned to buy tickets to walk up the stairs to the top, but found out that all the tours had been sold out for the day. Bummer.

IMG_4688IMG_4737

Next up was the World War Two Memorial, one none of had ever seen before, and it was quite beautiful. There were so many veterans out here this weekend too, being Memorial day weekend and all. I couldn’t help but wonder how this memorial made them feel.

 IMG_4705IMG_4710IMG_4707IMG_4713     

The third place on our route was the Lincoln Memorial. I wanted the kids to see exactly how huge this memorial is. It just doesn’t ever seem that big in the movies!

IMG_4716 IMG_4725

IMG_4741

As we were making our way to our next destination we kind of happened upon the Korean War Memorial. I thought this one was awesome, it was just very unique, and something none of us had seen before…the top right photo below turned out really cool. What you see is a black/gray wall with soldiers faces etched in and then Tony and Landon reflected in the panels, I thought it was awesome!

IMG_4743IMG_4752IMG_4744 IMG_4754   

I realize this post is getting rather long, so I will finish blogging our DC trip tomorrow…

Friday, May 22, 2009

More about The Hunger Games

I just finished this amazing book, and if you are looking for something easy/entertaining this is it! I don't remember where I first read about this book (I'm thinking it was someone's blog, but I can't remember who) but I am so glad that I checked it out at the library! I can hardly wait to get my hands on the second book! Happy Reading!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Finale’s Part 2

Ok, so I just haven’t been doing such a good job with the blog these days. Here is the second part of my season finale favorites:

  • Hells Kitchen- I couldn’t be happier that Danny won! I was really happy that Paula went to the finale with him because I think she was by far the best female chef there. I really didn’t like the way he chose to decorate his half of the restaurant though, Paula’s was so much more elegant! If I ever actually write a bucket list, one of the things I will be sure to include will be to eat at one of Ramsey’s restaurants…
  • Survivor- I feel like this was my season for picking winners! I know that I am not alone when I say that I was loving JT from the first episode. Even Landon (who only watched one episode) adored JT. He just had that down home country charm, and seemed like a genuinely nice guy… and I guess that worked in his favor!
  • Ugly Betty- tonight is the season finale. I don’t know what it is exactly about this show, but I hate to miss even one minute of any episode…like I said, I don’t know why, but it is what it is.

I am super excited about So You Think You Can Dance. It starts tonight, and I’ll be watching! I’m pretty sure the kids are excited about this too, so we’ll all be glued to the tube tonight. Another season of Top Chef is about to begin as well, which is always something I look forward to!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Finale Fever

I have come to the conclusion that I watch way too much television. I have seen more finale’s this past week than should be allowed. So, here’s a quick re-cap of the first few!

  • Celebrity Apprentice- Let me just start by saying I do not like Donald Trump, but I just can’t help watching this show. Especially the celebrity editions! I love to watch these “famous” people squirm and throw tantrums…it makes me happy. So, I was thrilled when Melissa Rivers threw her major tantrum, as well as when they kept showing what a major loser Dennis Rodman was. He may have been a super duper basketball player, but the way he treated people and was always drinking was rather appalling. I was really happy to see Joan Rivers win. How amazing is it that a 75 year old woman kicked all those other celebrity butt’s? I think it’s awesome, and I am glad that she beat Annie Duke…I couldn’t stand her from the first episode!
  • America’s Next Top Model- I was so happy when they chose Teyona and Allison as their final 2! I loved Allison from the very beginning, but about mid way through I really started thinking Teyona was awesome. I was lucky that both of my picks were in the finale! I just couldn’t lose! (Yes, this is all about me and what I want to happen!)
  • Biggest Loser Couples- My mom and dad have been watching this show for a few seasons and really like it so I thought I would give it a try. I missed the first few weeks, but once I finally remembered to set the DVR, I was hooked! I was really rooting for Tara, but must admit that I was really impressed with Helen’s determination. I was happy to see her win, though I would have been happier if Tara had won. Oh-well.

I still have a few finale’s to get through, Hell’s Kitchen, Ugly Betty and Survivor, as well as a few more… I’ll update on those as I watch! Stay tuned. Both of you.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

2nd Grade Field Trip

IMG_4599 This past Monday and Tuesday Landon and Tony went with the elementary school to Arlington Echo. It is a school sponsored, over-night field trip to learn about all things “nature”. They did tons of activities such as hiking, riding out in a canoe, learning about bay grasses, animals native to our area and they even had smores in the evening while singing campfire songs. It was the ultimate camp experience and they had a great time.

The cabins they slept in were ok, but Tony said the beds were very uncomfortable…Landon didn’t seem to mind! He was just excited to be having a sleepover with several of his friends! The first night they were there Landon was chosen to be a “hopper” for dinner and he was really looking forward to that! (Hoppers serve dinner to their table as well as help in the clean-up chores after meals.)

The camp is very environmentally geared (obviously), so much so that they weigh all of their trash after meals! They try to enforce only taking what you are really going to eat/drink so that there isn’t any waste products. They even taught the kids a little bit about composting! It really is a terrific opportunity for these kids to learn about nature and our environment and have a ton of fun while doing so! Here are a few pictures!

IMG_4496 Learning about animals around us.

IMG_4526Storytelling with the librarian. They were captivated!

IMG_4534

Zoe and I met up with them in the evening for the night hike…Zoe was our human flashlight!

IMG_4560  Landon in his waders, I love this picture!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Bless This Nest

IMG_4470This is the second (maybe third )year in a row that I chose to hang fern’s from my front porch. This is also the second year in a row that I have caught finch’s building nest’s in my ferns. When I found the first one this year, I took it out so that they would find another place to build…and not crap all over my front porch, but quickly learned that these birds don’t give up easily as they came right back to build the very same day. What these little birds didn’t know though, was that I too, do not give up easily. However, the second time I went to get rid of the nest, I found this inside:

IMG_4463A teeny tiny egg. How could I just toss out a perfect little nest with a perfect little egg inside? I just couldn’t get over how tiny this little egg was! I took a thousand pictures of it and then realized that it was hard to tell how small this egg is, so I did this:

IMG_4466That little egg nearly fits within this dime’s diameter! The kids and I oohed and ahhed over this little egg, then we put it away so as not to tick off the mama bird who was no doubt ready to peck my eyes out. But, of course, the next day we just had to get another look at that little egg and we were surprised when we saw this:

IMG_4613Aren’t these cute?!? There were 4, but one was on the porch, broken. I can’t figure out why two of the eggs look one way and are slightly larger than the other one. Are there two different birds laying eggs in the same nest? I doubt it, but I’m going to have to look up the art of finch egg laying.

Then today, because I am infatuated with our future baby birds, I pulled down the nest and saw that there are now 2 small similar eggs and two spotted larger eggs! These things are multiplying! I am sooo excited! I don’t think I will be pulling that plant down anymore though. The last time I did that the mama bird was in there and she wasn’t very happy to see me!

Monday, May 11, 2009

My Sister’s Keeper

As much as I loved this book, I just don’t know if I could watch the movie…I don’t want to give anything away since I know many people haven’t read the book, but maybe you should pick it up, it’s really worth your time. (Mom, do you think you could watch this?)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Mother’s Day 2009

Since we had a lot to get done today we went to visit my mom yesterday. We didn’t do much, a little shopping and dinner at Ruby Tuesday’s, but it was a nice visit. Just before we left Tony took some pictures of us Mom’s (and one future mom)…

IMG_4447 IMG_4448Unfortunately, these were the best two! We were all acting pretty silly so my tongue happens to be out a little in the first and Zoe took a brief nap in the second! Oh well! At least Tish and Mom look good in both!

Tony made me breakfast this morning, and the kids each picked out some flowers for me- the first are from Zoe while the second were from Landon.

IMG_4452IMG_4456

I thought the flowers were beautiful and everyone was extra nice to me today… ;)

IMG_4383

The picture above is my Mom’s dog Hobart…and this is exactly how I plan to spend the rest of my evening!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Track + Baseball

I haven’t been doing such a good job blogging lately, we have just been so busy with sports, school and everything in between. So, I’ll just do a quick recap of things…for posterity’s sake!

Last Wednesday Zoe finally had a meet at home, so I was able to attend, which made me happy! She started off really strong, but her leg muscles were really hurting so she fell back towards the middle, but she did finish and made me proud!

IMG_4199The following night Landon had a baseball game…and we had the most perfect weather for it! It was a great night for a game, and Landon did a wonderful job! He was playing catcher/pitcher but ended up getting hit on the inside of his arm with the ball catching so he gave that up mid game. (Several kids were being hit by the ball playing catcher, and I think we ended up going through 3 or 4 kids in this single game!)

IMG_4223The following night we had tickets to the Baysox game, which we all really enjoyed! These games are more kid/family friendly than the Orioles games, just because there are lots of kid activities going on throughout the game. Landon really loved the kid area where he got to jump in a moon bounce, ride on a carousel and see how fast he could throw a baseball. The game was close with the Baysox losing in the 10th inning, but we had a great time and hope to go back sometime soon!

IMG_4270IMG_4292

At the end of the game they put on an awesome fireworks show that lasted a good 10 minutes or more and then they invited all the kids down to run the bases. Landon couldn’t leave without running the bases, so we waited in the LONGEST line to let him get his chance…it was worth it because it just made his day!

IMG_4304IMG_4332

April Fools Pranks

The two little kids made me laugh yesterday morning.  I was upstairs getting things ready for school when I heard them talking about how ...