The Fastest Family Alive!!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Chicken Little ... no more

They say a picture is worth a thousand words ...

And Chicken Little he is no more.

Elijah made his first phone call to a girl over the weekend.

Even if I begin to explain how B reacted to this text or how the exchange went down, I would forget details as half the time I was cracking up. Long story short, Olivia's parents called B, and with that, Elijah called Olivia. She didn't pick up. I asked him what he said when he let a message. He gave me the most embarrassed mortified look and said "mmmooooommm", so I let it go.

He is 10! TEN! Diez! One Zero!

I mean I know times are different (how old do I sound?). Back in "my day", a boy had to call my house. The house phone, the one that plugged into the phone jack and there was a risk your parents would answer. Your parents would "talk" to that friend and then pass the phone off. But who has a house phone anymore? That leaves a cell phone. There was an event recently in which we seriously discussed giving Elijah a phone. Let me be real .. there is a phone in the living room, charged, activated and waiting to go into his hands. I just can't imagine giving my 10 year old a phone. Call me protective, old fashion, crazy .. whatever. He is 10! Why does he need a phone? So Olivia can text him on her own? So they can text in the evening instead of him going outside to play? So he can text friends about his first flag foot ball (soo proud .. pics below!). In talking to other adults, I get a range of answers. People tell me I am over reacting, that he should have the phone and then others say "heck no" he doesn't need a phone. I just don't see the need for him to have a phone. We have contingency plans if someone isn't home when they get home and all those contingency people know how to get a hold of us and they even have emergency contact numbers. I am still wrapping my brain around the fact a he called a girl! What is next? How did we get to this point already?

Before I spend more time trying to understand and make sense ... Enjoy some pictures from Elijah's first flag football game! They are the Sea-Hawks and they beat the Redskins (never thought I'd be happy the Redskins lost). We are making tye dye shirts this weekend to represent!!

He is growing up way too fast!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

2012 Baltimore Comic Convention

As we have done for many years now, we all piled into the cars and heading over to GB, to take the light rail into Downtown Baltimore to go visit the IDcrew at the 2012 Baltimore Comic Convention.

Looking back at all of my pictures, this is the first year that I don't have any of the kids with any super heroes. After coming for so long it is great to see the artist we seem to gravitate towards year after year. It is great to keep buying and supporting the artist in artist alley.

I do have a new non ID favorite artist and it is all off of one print.

His name is Ian Glaubinger!

Check him out here

It all started with a shirt.

As much as I love the flash, I LOVE TONY STARK AND IRON MAN MUCH MORE!!

He is my superhero!!

I had been looking all day for an Tony/Iron Man Shirt.

We walked by Ian's table and I saw this shirt ..

Instantly, it feels like my brother in law and I start debating over who will buy it.

(he won if you are wondering)

As I was debating, the big kids were flipping through Ian's portfolio. I glance over and see what I thought was a Mr. Incredible Print. Upon further inspection, tears fill my eyes.

It is titled "Glory Days"

I love so much about this photo. I do not know where to begin. The war photo, the paper headline, the medals, THE CANE, the "red skull" on the bookshelf, the helmets, the battled/battered shield but my all time favorite "memory", the kid drawing of Captain America.

uuuuhhhh I am sooo in love with this peice. Once we move into the new house, IT IS GOING IN THE BEDROOM. This one is mine, not B's.

Ian ... you are GREAT!! You have just gained a new fan!

Here are some memories from today:

The black widow print sold, but I didn't even notice this untill my sister pointed it out!!

The big kids (and I) are so proud of daddy and the whole ID Crew!!

I wanted this for my camera bag! hahahahaha but I forgot to go back and get it.

Poor Elyse .. allergies were kicking her behind today :(

Another thing I quickly wanted to talk about is a print B sells. It is a print inspired "by me", he says.

I have obviously seen this print and I can only dream and wish that I actually looked like this or one day I will again. However today something happened that has never happened before. While at ID's table, I was talking to a guy who walked up, who was admiring B's Brave photo (CLICK ME!)

So as the guy starts talking to everyone at the ID table, I walk away and let them do their thing. Then something happens that has never happened before (to or around me), the guy buys the brave print but then buys the print that was inspired by me.

This is a super weird and super awkward but super flattering.

Some guy and possibly others, have a picture "of me" (not really but kinda) hanging somewhere or in a frame/book. That' a weird feeling... just wanted to share!

B signing the print "inspired" by me for the guy :)

This was probably my favorite year at the Baltimore Comic Con.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

And as if Elijah talking to Stan Lee last year wasn't the coolest thing ever, AND Stan Lee remembering him being even cooler, WE LITERALLY RAN INTO STAN LEE while walking out for lunch.

This older gentleman brushed my shoulder as we were walking out and when I looked, all I could do was snap and point, like an idiot!! He then proceed to brush up against everyone else in my "entourage" and Elyse is the only one to say "Look, it is Stan Lee".

CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY Day!!

Not to get off this and watch Captain america with the Big Kids!!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Operation: New House Week 1

Every Saturday after ballet, we are going to swing by the house and take a photo of the progress :)

Here is Week 1:

Yeah, there is nothing new ... or is there?!?!?

First, 2 of the 3 kids were asleep, so I just stepped out took a photo,

The grass is higher :)

No, the white "stakes" are new ... I was told it was because permits were approved and they would be starting "any day".

Eeeeeekkkkkkk .. I might have to post a flyer with a picture of my car on it, saying "I live here (or will live here), don't call the cops on me!" Thoughts?

Another picture in 7 days!!

Ella's First Day of Ballet

My baby had her first day at ballet class today. It was interesting. I am not sure I feel the way I thought I would after it was all said and done. First and foremost .. she looked good!! I mean she even has leg warmers on ... come on!?!?!? She loved her leotard with the shirt and loved that she had "dancing shoes".

I guess now I talk about how it went. She is two (well two and a half). She is very tall for her age and alot of people think she is older than she is. I am use to that. We arrive at the dance studio and she is very excited. She keeps saying "mommy dance" over and over again. We go in and she immediate goes to the waiting area. I guess from watching her older sister dance, Ella is use to "waiting". That was the first "part".. keeping Ella out of the waiting area, away form the toys, in the actual dance studio was challenging. I eventually brought my older kids out and even at one point , they were doing stretches and ballet moves with Ella's teacher to encourage Ella to follow instructions. That's the second part, her attention span is short, apparently. She would do the moves a few times, catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror and would go off into her own word. As the other girls her pointing toes or being butterflies, my daughter was rolling around on the ground or running around in circle. My child was the only one not sitting in the circle or who was literally dancing to the beat of her own drum. I'll get to that thought in a second. Ms. Sarah, her teacher, was great!! She was teaching a class of 6 (maybe) and she did an excellent job calling the kids by their names and making it fun. Ms. Jessica, the studio owner, Elyse's dance teacher and who has son the same age of Ella (or around there), was also there. Ms. Jessica kept looking at my saying this is normal, she is young, she will catch on in a few weeks .. alot of encouraging and supporting words (which I needed).

I have always encouraged the kids to do what they love and to be who they want to be. If someone doesn't like what they are wearing, they can change, they can express themselves how they want (for the most part). Ella loves to dance and loves music. During the class, Ella was sometimes more interesting in the iPod the music was coming from, than actually dancing. She was the only child going around and talking to all the other kids. I was very happy to see my social butterfly trying to rally the troops in the beginning. But again, it would be my child being the maniac, being the one not listening, being "that kid". I am sure over time she will listen and partake however I am still willing to put money on the fact that during the showcase in May, Ella will be the one on the stage waving to mom and dad while everyone else is doing the routine. And you know what ... It will have been worth every penny!!

As I type this .. Ella looked at me and said "Wook mommy, I jump over the moon", which is something she learned in class today!

(maybe all this ranting was worth it)

Monday, September 3, 2012

Celebrating squirt!

If you haven't heard, my sister and her husband are awaiting the birth of their first baby

(one month from today exactly is the due date!)

I will forever refer to my sister as my baby sister and to think that she is soon becoming a mother makes me so emotional and so proud. I can not wait to be an aunt, to spoil that child rotten (and give it back hahahahaha), smell the new baby smell and to help her out in ways I was so grateful our friends and family helped us with the birth of our babies.

Most of all watching her transform into a mother!! :)

Anyways ... here are some pictures from the shower!