A Final Dinner at Mark & Orlando's

With the imminent closing of Mark & Orlando's, I decided to schedule a final dinner out for Anastasia and me, with several friends (who also happen to be Annie's favorite babysitters.) Anastasia didn't know about our plans before I picked her up at daycare, and when I told her that we'd be having dinner with Abby, Ann, Julia, Nathalie and Katie at Daddy's restaurant, she practically jumped through the roof. It was all she could talk about for the whole car ride.

When we got there, though, her shy side re-emerged, and she was a little more subdued. She sat at the head of the table and enjoyed her bread with butter before finally opening up to Abby.



We all ordered appetizers (the goat cheese grits cake and grilled Caesar salad were popular) and entrees (crab cakes and pork won). Anastasia got to have homemade chicken and mushroom ravioli which she was kind enough to share with the rest of us.



Before dinner was ended, Anastasia made her way into the kitchen to help her daddy. Then she made her way back to the table for desert (homemade ice cream with chocolate sauce.) The rest of us tended toward the bread pudding creme brulee and blueberry financier for desert.

Anastasia was having such a great time that we didn't even notice that it was almost 9:00 (way past bedtime). Before we said goodnight, we all posed for a couple of pictures. All in all, a great last meal at the restaurant that has been a home to me (and Annie) for the last 4 years.



That's Anastasia and me with Ann, Abby, Julia, Nathalie and Katie. Thanks ladies for a lovely dinner.

A Visit with the Curtis Family

It's been several months since we've gotten together with the Curtis family for a visit. So, on Sunday we went up to their house to see, and play in, their newly finished basement, and have a barbeque'd dinner courtesy of Patrick.

Much like our trip to se Testudo the day before, Anastasia was very excited at the prospect of playing with Nathan, Nicholas and Ella. The whole way up she kept talking about playing with them. Part of me wondered how much of her excitment was playing wtih them and how much was a desire to play in their super excellent playroom.

When we arrived, Anastasia did make a beeline for the old playroom (and looked a little confused at the curious lack of toys) before being instructed to go downstairs. Once we got down there, her face brightened, and she started to play with Ella. Debra got into the action, too, while continuing to keep tabs on the Caps game.



After a little while, as the sun started to drop in the sky, we made our way outside to play a little soccer in the front yard while Pat cooked our dinner and we enjoyed the snacks that are always a highlight of a visit to Curtis household.

Anastasia really enjoyed riding on the razor scooter when she wasn't kicking the ball around with Nathan.



Unfortunately, my camera ran out of juice shortly into the visit, so I didn't get a lot of pictures, but Anastasia had so much fun that she actually asked to be carried to bed when we got home. Hurray for a good night's sleep.

Springtime Football

Anastasia has really missed watching (and playing football). She loves to take her football outside and throw it around when we're sitting on the front porch. So, when she learned that we'd be going to an actual football game, she got very, very excited. When she learned that we'd get to see "the turtle" on the same day, it was almost too much to handle.

Every year, University of Maryland hosts "Maryland Day", a giant open house for families with food, entertainment, moon bounces, activities from the academic departments, and a springtime scrimage called the Red and White Game.



We arrived a bit late in the day, and headed down to the Mall to take in some of the activities, but because it was so close to the end of the day, there were pretty long lines for all the things that Annie would have really enjoyed, so we didn't linger too long on the Mall, and instead made our way to the bookstore for the new shirt that Annie had been promised. Her old "Turtle shirt" was getting a little small, but that didn't stop her from asking to wear it every day.

She picked out two shirts, and then we were off to the football game. On the way, we had to walk all the way around the stadium and when the game came into view, she got very excited, but then got mad when it disappeared again from view. Once we got inside, she couldn't take her eyes off the game.



Before we left the game, we managed to get a really rare picture of Annie and me together. Note that we're facing the field, so she could continue to watch the game as soon as the photo was snapped.



It was over 90 degrees outside, so we didn't stay at the game too long before the sunscreen was starting to wear off. On the way back to the car, Anastasia spilled her strawbery milkshake all over herself. She realized very quickly that it was the perfect opportunity for her to wear one of her new "Turtle Shirts".



After a very exciting ride on Daddy's shoulders, we found ourselves at the Turtle that she so desperately wanted to see. Testudo is the Maryland Terrapins' mascot, and rubbing his nose is good luck, so stopping to visit and take a picture was a necessity.



We had a great afternoon and are now definitely looking forward to more visits to the campus during football season this fall. Can I get a "Let's Go, Maryland"?

Helping Daddy

Orlando's hobby for the last couple of years has been repairing old motorcycles. He acquires them really cheap on Ebay or Craigslist, fixes them up and in the case of two so far, sells them. It's not going to make us rich, but it gives him something to do on his days off, and Anastasia really likes to help.

The other day, the weather was quite nice, and they were able to work on the motorcycle together for a while.



Annie may not know what any of the tools in the drawers are for, but she likes playing with them. Orlando will often let her tighten or loosen screws, which she can do like a champ.

After a little while helping Daddy, she decided there was something else she needed to do. She ran around to the front of the house



Opened the front door (which requires a little climbing to reach the knobs, but which she's surprisingly good at)



And went to the drawer where we keep the keys to the garden tools storage. I was a bit confused, but figured I'd play along so I handed her the keys. We headed back outside to the front yard, and she insisted that I open the gate where the lawn mower is stored so that she could mow the lawn.



When she was finished, she wouldn't hear any talk of bringing her mower inside. It belongs with daddy's mower. A place for everything, etc. We then went back to visit Daddy so he could kiss the injury that she may or may not have actually acquired while mowing the lawn.

At the Park with Gayle and Jordan

We decided this weekend to get together with Erik and Gayle, who we haven't seen in quite a while. Their son, Jordan, is 17 months old, and a real rough and tumble boy. He loves to climb and slide, and he really loves the giant playground we went to.

The first thing we did at the playground was ride the merry-go-round. Anastasia had a great time riding the horse. She held on really tight and didn't move at all. She did seem a little nervous at first, but it didn't last long. When the ride ended, she immediately decided that she wanted to ride again.



Gayle and Jordan rode in the sleigh benches while Annie rode the horse she named Zebra. We were behind Gayle and Jordan on the ride, so I could only get a picture of Jordan looking over her shoulder.



After the merry-go-round, we took a walk over to the amazing jungle gym play structure on the other side of the park. There were a lot of big kids there, so we mostly hung around the littler slide at one end.





Anastasia had a great time climbing up the tire ramp and coming down the slide. She seemed really at home in this big park.



We need to plan a return trip since we didn't get to ride the choo-choo this time. Next time we go, the choo-choo will be our first stop.



After we left the park, we went back to Erik and Gayle's house for a little more playtime and a glass of wine. It was a great day and one that w're going to repeat again very soon.

The Boppy

Anastasia gave up her pacifier this week. She has called it her boppy for as long as she has been able to talk. She gave it up during the day at daycare a while ago, but almost every day, she would talk about going to get her boppy as soon as we left daycare.

So I was surprised on Wednesday when she said she was going to throw it in the trash. I actually tried to talk her out of throwing it away. Meanwhile, Orlando was offering her an extra after dinner treat if she would go through with it. I made her tell me that she knew she would not have a boppy for sleeping if she threw it away. In the end, she decided to put her boppy in the trash.

We took the trash out, Annie put the new trash bag in the can. About 1/2 hour later, she went to the trash can and realized that it was really gone. from that point forward, it was not a good night. But Thursday night was a little easier, and Friday went off without a hitch.

From this point forward, here's hoping that we no longer see any pictures with a pacifier.

Easter Bubbles

Daycare made Easter baskets, too, and when she brought hers home, it included a new bubble toy. We took it outside and got down to bubble business.



Anastasia really liked playing with her bubbles. After a while, she tried to blow the bubbles with her mouth instead of waving the wand around. It didn't work out so well, but at least she gave it the old college try.



She doesn't know it yet, but I've already gotten a gallon bottle of bubble solution that I'll be strategically refilling her bubble bottles when I'm ready for a little outdoor fun.

Anastasia's Fancy Restaurant

Anastasia was very excited to go to brunch, even if she didn't really understand what brunch was all about. She was very excited to get to wear her new dress and the shoes that the Easter Bunny had brought. When we were getting dressed, she also decided that she really wanted to wear my purple hat. She looked like quite the little lady walking into the Willard Ballroom.



We sat down for a few minutes while they prepared our table. Anastasia was happy to pose for a couple of pictures, too.



The Easter Bunny came by for a visit. Anastasia was less than impressed and kept saying "I don't want to talk to the Easter Bunny". We told her that she didnt' have to. She was okay with Daddy and Grandma saying hi.



The brunch included wonderfully flavorful lamb, eggs cooked to order with all kinds of goodies, oysters and crab claws, and lots of cheese, too. There was also a whole buffet just for Annie (and all the other kids there, too.)

After a lovely brunch of all kinds of yummy stuff, it was time for Anastasia to visit the cookie decoration station, and make herself a cookie. Her little bunny cookie was lovely.



Then, after eating the frosting off of her cookie, Daddy took her to visit the chocolate fountain in the center of the room. She was very excited by the chocolate covered pineapple. So much so that she ended up wearing a good deal of it.



As we waved good by to the Willard, Anastasia reminded us that she didn't want to talk to the Easter Bunny and Myney told her that by the time he comes back, she may feel a little more friendly toward him. We'll have to wait and see what next year brings.

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

We woke up on Easter morning a bit earlier than Orlando and I would have liked, but we knew the Easter Bunny had paid us a visit so when Annie decided she wanted to go get Orlando a drink, down we all went. Anastasia didn't immediately understand what the basket was about.



After a few minutes, she figured out that there was candy in the basket, and that was the first step to enjoying all the stuff she got from the Easter Bunny. The basked included a few books, new shoes, a new nap blanket and of course candy.



After a little while, she discovered that there were eggs filled with jelly beans that made great sounds when she shook them.



After the Easter basket and some fun time with Daddy (while Mommy napped), Annie went down for a nap, secure in the knowledge taht when she woke up, we'd be going to what she referred to as "Anastasia's Fancy Restaurant".

A Visit with Uncle Mark

Anastasia and I were both pretty tired yesterday evening when we learned that Myney was meeting friends for dinner. So, we decided to go to the restaurant for an early dinner and a visit with Daddy and Uncle Mark. Anastasia put in a request for chicken, which Daddy happily provided. I had a wonderful cheesburger and fries. We shared a puspusa.

As we were finishing up, Mark came in and asked for a hug. Anastasia ran straight to him and they posed for a couple of pictures.







As much of a big kid as Mark is, he's got the perfect personality for playing with a little one. Anastasia certainly loves playing with him.

Easter Cupcakes

Daycare is always closed on Good Friday, so yesterday I stayed home with Anastasia and we had a busy day. We started with a trip to the store to get all the goodies for Easter (last time I can do that with her in tow). Then we took Daddy to work and it was home to get started on our big project for the day.

I found a great cupcake recipe that is also super easy, which means Annie can really help make them. After pulling out all of the ingredients, it was time to get my helper up on the counter.



Anastasia was very good at putting the ingredients into the bowl. Some of the flour ended up on the counter, but she noticed it and helped me get the spilled flour into the bowl, too.



Once the batter was made, it was time for a real treat. She didn't slack on the job, though, she put the cupcake cups in the pan while she was licking the beater.



After baking and cooling, we frosted them with buttercream frosting that we dyed green, yellow, pink and purple. Very Easter. We're visiting with some friends this morning, and we'll be taking about half with us.

Basketball with Friends

A couple weeks ago, Orlando invited his friend Naja over for a play date/basketball viewing party. Naja and his wife Amy have a 13 month old son named TJ who is eager to make friends. A few snacks, some juice and bloody marys, and we had an enjoyable spread for watching the game.

TJ took a couple of minutes to warm up to his new surroundings, especially the dogs. After a few minutes, though, the little ones played very well together.



At one point, they made their way upstairs, posing for a picture along the way.



After the long trek upstairs, they played in Annie's kitchen for a little while, then moved into the bathroom to investigate the shower. Evidently the pots and pans made great sounds on the shower floor.



We finally got them back downstairs and Orlando took on the role of riding toy. I guess it's pretty good exercise, and the kids seemed to enjoy it, too.



The kids didn't really watch much basketball, but it was a great time for all of us. We're definitely looking forward to getting together with Naja and Amy and TJ again soon.

Chasing Daddy

Every night before we go upstairs, Anastasia says good night to everyone with a hug and a kiss. Sometimes she doesn't want to. The other night, though, she was very eager to say good night to Daddy. But Daddy was ready to play a game of chase.



I think if she could say good night to Daddy this way every night she would be thrilled.

Little Green Thumb Update

So it's been a couple weeks since we planted seeds with our little gardener, and there's definite action with the plants. The tomatoes have all sprouted!



We'll wait a little while longer before transplanting them, but for now they all seem to be doing very well.

The beans have not fared so well. All but one seem to have just molded rather than sprouting. And, still no sign of strawberries. We're not giving up hope, but I don't have much faith that we'll have a strawberry patch this summer.