If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.

Getting caught up...

2009-09-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

more to come asap!

121/365

2009-08-24T19:22:00.000-07:00

Jake is fearless. I had taken him out of the pool, took his floaty things off, and here he is trying to get back in. Once he just stepped off the edge into the water as if he thought he could walk! We have to keep a very close eye on him!

120/365

2009-08-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Jake checkin' out the buttons on Daddy's shirt. Soon it's going to be time to say bye-by to the bink!

119/365

2009-08-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

A water fountain at The Mall in Columbia.

118/365

2009-08-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

Mmmmm. Pudding!

117/365

2009-08-20T19:09:00.000-07:00

We finally break down and get a small inflatable swimming pool, use it about twice, and then the weather turns cool!

116/365

2009-08-19T19:07:00.000-07:00

Sammy likes to make trains out of just about anything. Here's a corn train.

109-115/365

2009-08-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

I'm having some picture issues but will come back to post these holiday/vacation shots soon.

108/365

2009-08-11T19:03:00.000-07:00

107/365

2009-08-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

Holding space

NOTICE - 106/365

2009-08-09T18:38:00.000-07:00

We're on holiday/vacation until August 16. Will post pictures then!

105/365

2009-08-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

A holding space

104/365

2009-08-07T18:30:00.000-07:00

Back to the carnival! Here is Sammy on the car merry go round again. For some reason he was obsessed with looking behind him though! Silly boy!

103/365

2009-08-06T18:22:00.000-07:00

I've seen it all - deep fried Twinkies (link provided for my UK readers!). They were ok, and surprisingly, Glenn really liked them!

102/365

2009-08-05T20:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, there really is a carnival across the street from us!

Bonus picture!

101/365

2009-08-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

Today's harvest.

100/365

2009-08-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

More textiles... these are the curtains Mom made for the boys' bedroom. They love trains!

99/365

2009-08-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

Our new bedspread. Believe it or not, it's from Kmart. Both Mom and I have had luck finding pretty bed linens there at prices we can currently afford. I'll have to dream of my Pottery Barn one for a while longer. First, though, we need a new bed. We're eyeing this one.

98/365

2009-08-01T20:12:00.000-07:00

WAFFLES! With Amma's new waffle maker!

97/365

2009-07-31T20:09:00.000-07:00

Watching them set up the carnival across the street.

96/365

2009-07-30T19:21:00.000-07:00

Having way too much fun with Facebook.

95/365

2009-07-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

These are 'pillow case' dresses Mom helped me make for Isabelle's little girls.

94/365

2009-07-28T19:15:00.000-07:00

Today Sammy got to make pretzel rod magic wands! Do you think he likes the sprinkles?

93/365

2009-07-27T19:04:00.000-07:00

One of the bridges you have to cross to get to Glenn's office. I should know the name of it, but I don't. This was taken under the bridge. I love the view from the 'proper' side, too! I like living so close to the waterfront.

92/365

2009-07-26T18:54:00.000-07:00

For some reason, the boys seem to think that wearing your underwear on your head (or Daddy's) is far more reasonable than on your bum!

91/365

2009-07-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

Skinny dipping!

90/365

2009-07-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

Pouring rain.

89/365

2009-07-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

Playing the pots 'n' pans.

88/365

2009-07-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

My first 365 video! Today Sammy made a verrrrrrrrrrrrry long train!

87/365

2009-07-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

Yay! Our first proper meal from the garden! Stuffed eggplant using home grown eggplant (of course), cubanelle peppers, basil, oregano, cherry bomb pepper and, on the side, home grown cucumber salad.

(PS Sammy's endoscopy was today but I didn't think it was fair to him to post pics though he did amazingly well!)

86/365

2009-07-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

*sigh*

Yesterday we had to start Sammy on a clear diet and liquid laxatives to 'clear out' his system in preparation for the upper and lower endoscopy he is having Tuesday. But the kid ain't dumb. He refused the Miralax and the Magnesium Citrate (above) - much to the dismay of the doctor. The only thing we could get down him were the chocolate flavored ExLax!

85/365

2009-07-19T18:54:00.000-07:00

Sammy likes to make trains.

84/365

2009-07-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

Today Glenn took us all to the beach in St Mary's county (the Chesapeake Bay). Sammy and Jake LOVE the water. They made a beeline for it as soon as they saw it and it was all we could do to keep them out of it. Jake couldn't understand why he couldn't just crawl right through it! Here is Sam, sporting his new life vest and Daddy sporting his new swim suit.

83/365

2009-07-17T18:24:00.000-07:00

So. Jake's new thing to do? Take his diaper off when he's in bed. Usually we only have pee accidents. I'll spare you any pics that aren't.

(sorry for the attempt to keep his modesty intact - for some reason, I couldn't get Paint to let me make a nice, black box!)

82/365

2009-07-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

...in the shade. Ugh.

81/365

2009-07-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

Another good night with old friends - dinner at Mammas on the Half Shell in Canton. Good food, good friends. What more can you ask for?!

80/365

2009-07-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

I love my new owl bag! Thanks, Christine!

79/365

2009-07-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

My little Rooneydoons.

78/365

2009-07-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

More of the old gang at Izzy's BBQ. Good times.

77/365

2009-07-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

The old gang at the 21st anti-reunion.

76/365

2009-07-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

Chillin' in the hammock.

(ok, I cheated, no pic was actually taken today - this was actually taken on the 11th)

75/365

2009-07-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

I'm interested in vintage and vernacular signage. This one was actually just completed as the old one came down in a nasty storm we had in the early spring. I can't recall exactly what the old one looked like, but this is a pretty good duplicate I think!

74/365

2009-07-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Ugh. We *still* have a mattress on the floor, only one bedside table, and no decent duvet or bedspread. We feel like we're 14 not almost 40. :P

73/365

2009-07-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

VICTORY!

The PhD corrections have been submitted!

72/365

2009-07-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

Tomato watch.

71/365

2009-07-05T18:57:00.000-07:00

Amma and Jake sportin' the hats.

70/365

2009-07-04T18:45:00.000-07:00

Glenn and Sammy at Auntie Heather's swimming pool on the 4th of July. This was Sammy's first time in a pool and he did really well!

69/365

2009-07-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

The latest preschool work of art.

68/365

2009-07-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Sammy's first proper boo-boo (or ouchie). He fell on the sidewalk and scraped up his elbow. He was a real tough guy though!

67/365

2009-07-01T18:24:00.000-07:00

Some of our stash from the local Asian market. I love the packaging.

66/365

2009-06-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

Sammy kept himself entertained at the store by drawing on his tummy!

65/365

2009-06-29T18:10:00.000-07:00

I spend way too much time and money here and it makes me mad as they are not a company I want to support. But right now, poor beggars cannot be chosers. I need a job!

64/365

2009-06-28T18:07:00.000-07:00

Sadly, we have a frequent user card.

63/365

2009-06-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

Baked bean bath.

62/365

2009-06-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes just one picture really isn't worth 1000 words.

Step 1: drag kid-size rocking chair into kitchen, stand on it, and grab illicit item off counter-top.

Step 2: Chow down on peanut butter in the corner until Mommy finds you.

Note to future peanut butter thiefs - it's best to try this when when Mommy is on the phone. And move fast. We did this in under a minute!

61/365

2009-06-25T10:16:00.000-07:00

Self-portrait with Sam.

60/365

2009-06-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

These guys LOVE to help us unload the dishwasher. Unfortunately, here, they seem to be trying to load themselves into it. Hmmmmm... bath time anyone?

59/365

2009-06-23T19:27:00.001-07:00

Today Sammy and I went to a play group where the activity of the day was water balloons and water pistols. Much fun was had by all. Here's Doodle drying off in his frog towel!

58/365

2009-06-23T19:23:00.001-07:00

Technically, I forgot to take a picture 'today' so I'm posting a cute one that was taken tomorrow. Jake in his latest fine attire!

57/365

2009-06-21T19:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day! Sammy made Daddy a tie card at summer camp. It had round stickers all over it, which he helpfully peeled off and decorated himself with for the occasion. :)

56/365

2009-06-20T19:15:00.000-07:00

MUSHROOMS!!! UGH!!!

We have too many of them due to the excessive rain we've had. Today I finally got a chance to mow the grass but I wanted to document our newest reddish shrooms before they got taken out by the mower. We're also just a bit worried about the boys getting hold of these...

55/365

2009-06-19T19:11:00.000-07:00

Today we went to see Grandma and Grandpa at their assisted care home. It was 'Donuts with Dad' (for Father's Day) and we all enjoyed it even though Grandpa has a pretty bad cold. Jake was the star of the show and flirted with all the folks there. Here he is, with the family, enjoying the nice (for a change) weather.

(oh, Sammy was a summer camp today, hence his absence)

54/365

2009-06-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

Bramble likes to insinuate herself into any conversation or gathering. Here she is posing on the sofa.

53/365

2009-06-17T18:12:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to me!

52/365

2009-06-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

Sammy got a hair cut! It's a bit short IMO, but cute nevertheless!

41-51/365

2009-06-17T18:05:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks. Just some very uninspiring days.

40/365

2009-06-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

Since Sammy was about one, he has had icky poop and been very low on the weight and BMI curves. Sorry if that's TMI, but there you go. Life with kids is TMI usually. Anyway, he's been tested in the UK for all sorts of digestive disorders and came up fine. But when he hit 3, they wanted to retest. He was seen by doctors at the University of Maryland Children's Hospital to be tested yet again for God knows what. So far, those tests are negative (which is good) but leaves us in the position of trying to potty train a kid who might not have much bowel control (yep, more TMI). Anyway, despite testing negative for Celiac, we are attempting a gluten-free diet to see if he's just intolerant. Whooo! Let me tell you, this stuff costs a bomb! We might as well just sign all Glenn's pay to Whole Paycheck.

So far, there's no change. But we gotta tough it out another week or so. Just call us POOR!

39/365

2009-06-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Jake's first taste of a dill pickle. Sadly, the camera caught him just before the grimace. Oh well, more for me!

38/365

2009-06-02T11:09:00.000-07:00

Tea-time for the girlies!

37/365

2009-06-01T10:26:00.000-07:00

More food! But today was Katy's birthday, which meant a batch of seasalt caramel brownies.

36/365

2009-05-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

The remains of dinner... Glenn's first time at a proper Maryland seafood house. We had fried clams, crab dip, hush puppies, calamari, coleslaw, and fries. And beer, of course. We'll definitely be back - next time, steamed crabs!

35/365

2009-05-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

An action shot! Naked boys on the prowl!!

It was a REALLY hot day today. So when we got back to the house after running errands, great delight was taken in stripping off and playing in the water that got in the sandbox (from the rain the night before). Much silliness abounds!

34/365

2009-05-28T10:13:00.000-07:00

My poor husband, the druggie. He has a sinus infection and the doc prescribed a load of pills to try and kick it. He's got antibiotic, antihistimine, decongestant, ibuprofen, and nasal spray. Oh, and a multi vitamin, too. Yuck!

33/365

2009-05-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

The new favorite place to play.

32/365

2009-05-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Today Sammy and I went for a walk along the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail, which runs right by our house. It's part of the East Coast Greenway. You can't see them here very well, but lots of wild flowers have been planted along the path.

31/365

2009-05-25T09:59:00.000-07:00

A rather slow day here. This is my chocolate Tootsie Pop. My sunt gets them for me every year and they are addictive.

30/365

2009-05-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

We inherited some very nice rose bushes when we rented this place.

29/365

2009-05-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

Uncle Jason was down from NYC today. And he brought with him the WATER PISTOLS!!! Much fun was had by all!

28/365

2009-05-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

Who's going to make the first move...? Our cats are slowlyg integrating with my cousin's cat, Ashely (the orange one above). None of them can get anywhere near Mom's cat, Sweetpea, though!

27/365

2009-05-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

'Who you takin' that picture of? Gimme that camera!'

26/365

2009-05-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

Today is a two-fer! First we went to DiPasquales in Highlandtown. I heard about it courtesy of Guy Fieri's show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, though just asking family about a good Italian deli would probably have led me here, too. What an awesome place! Glenn and I could drop a bomb here!

Next we went to Fells Point and walked around with the boys and had ice cream. What a great day!

25/365

2009-05-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

The new sandbox!

24/365

2009-05-18T09:09:00.000-07:00

Glenn and I went for a walk at dusk today. These are azaleas blooming at the church next door. I forgot how much I missed azaleas (yes, you do see them in the UK, just not nearly as much as in this area).

23/365

2009-05-17T09:03:00.000-07:00

The local Memorial Day parade. It's a total fluke that Sammy was wearing a shirt with the flag on it. A friend gave it to us and since it was cool out, it was the first long sleeved shirt I grabbed. We didn't even know it was a parade day but, living in the center of town, it went right by our street! Someone at the parade gave him the flag to wave, which was lots of fun. He also loved watching the marching bands and trucks that went by. Talk about a real American-looking picture!

22/365

2009-05-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

Today was the open house at Glenn's work (SERC). It was a great day for everyone... beautiful weather, lots of exhibits from the scientists, and loads of stuff for the kids. Here's Sammy on Daddy's lap while we go for his first ever hay ride!

21/365

2009-05-15T08:51:00.000-07:00

The boys first bath together!

20/365

2009-05-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

We are putting together a dress-up box for the boys. We're going to make cowboy vests, get baseball jerseys from Goodwill, make animal hats, etc. This is a Hawaiian lei-type thing we got at a party shop. Any other ideas for dress-up on the cheap?

19/365

2009-05-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

Another bad camera day. So, here's a picture of the cool stair case at our friends' apartment in NYC. We stayed there on Glenn's first night in the US as he flew into NY.

18/365

2009-05-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

We're having major camera issues. There are 2 digital cameras in our house and both have been acting up big time. So, as neither was working today, and I wasn't able to get this blog going on the day Glenn arrived in the US from the UK, I thought I'd post a picture that was taken that day.

To say that Sammy was happy that Daddy was home would be an understatement. What a great day!

17/365

2009-05-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

The object here, it would seem, is to get as many plates onto Jake's tray so they can make lots of noise when they CRASH!

16/365

2009-05-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day!

I think he likes those chocolate chip pancakes!

15/365

2009-05-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

Poor Glenn! His first proper mosquito bite! He had quite a reaction. They must like his sweet English blood!

14/365

2009-05-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

It's time to start the obligatory cat photos! Here's Merry Cloud wishing she could get into our basement.

13/365

2009-05-07T08:01:00.000-07:00

The dogwood tree in our front yard. *note to our UK readers: I'm pretty sure it's not the same plant as what you call dogwood over there*

12/365

2009-05-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

Sauce-covered kid. Note to self: don't leave the room when kids are eating!

11/365

2009-05-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

I actually forgot to take a picture of our lovely Cinco de Mayo meal last night. So here are the remains of the fun.

10/365

2009-05-04T08:04:00.000-07:00

Sammy's favorite thing in the world is to be chased and to go 'round and round'. The kitchen is the ideal spot for 'round and round'. I don't know who ends up being chased and who is the chase-ee half the time. Even Jake joins in the fun. Everyone in the house gets dizzy at least once a day. Having the mow-mows makes it even more fun!

9/365

2009-05-03T08:01:00.000-07:00

Another horrible rainy day so today we tried finger painting. It was of moderate success. Jake prefers to eat his paint, and Sammy ended up tearing the paper up. *sigh* Bring on the sun!

8/365

2009-05-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. I've always wanted to go and it was a lot of fun, though hard work with the boys. Sammy and Jake enjoyed seeing the animals and I liked the crafts and people watching. Glenn had to work on his PhD corrections.

**Cheat Alert!** Of course I had to post a picture of some sheep, but I also loved the vintage ice cream stands so today is a twofer!

7/365

2009-05-01T07:51:00.000-07:00

We took pity on Glenn and rented a tiller for him to use in our new vegetable garden. It's about 14x16 feet and we didn't want the poor guy to have to double dig the whole thing. It was worth every penny and Glenn was very pleased with himself for figuring out how to use it! Now if it would just stop raining, we could plant!