Ravens' fans.

Future grovers.

Inspired by AK's and Rock's GCC submissions, I tried to get a picture of both the girls in their GCC shirts to send in to the alumni magazine. I couldn't for the life of me get them to both look at the camera at the same time. I started getting grumpy after twenty pics of one kid looking away. Sonja started getting grumpy too.

You seriously want me to smile again?

At least they are cute.

Somebody is growing up....

This is in Anna's bed. Just for a nap. Just because she wanted to.

Hello faithful blog readers. This is what I've been working on for the past month:

And the announcement: I'm a small business owner. A very small business. These items make up the first product line for my little shop, What I Call Pretty. For now, we're running on Etsy. You can check it out here- http://www.WhatICallPretty.etsy.com.

This adventure is about five miles outside of my comfort zone, but with the Mr's encouragement, I figured it was worth a try. I'd love to hear what you think! *Plugs nose, hops off diving board.*

Great Grandpa flew in from AZ this weekend. We hit the mall with its carousel and Panera Bread. Had a nice chat while the girls napped. Went to our favorite restaurant on the harbor. Spent time at the park. Worked on the crossword over waffles. Had a wonderful time. I really appreciate each one of his yearly visits here.




On another note...tune in tomorrow for a special announcement. =)

Blogging didn't happen last night because the laptop was in pieces, drying after Sonja poured one half glass of water on the key board. I think it's okay now...other than the fact that the current date displayed is May 15, 2005.
Anyway, before this thing fritzes for good:
This past Monday we went to the O's game one last time. Anna LOVES that Oriole bird.

Here she is being asked, "Do you like the Oriole bird?"
On Tuesday, the girls and I 95'ed it up to Philly for a day. Sonja and Havah sizing each other up.

Dem and Anna "at the beach."
Anna and Charlie. =)
Charlie opened a little umbrella and asked Anna, "Share my shade with me?" Most romantic line I've ever heard from a four year old.

We've been doing a little biking lately.



We live pretty close to the Baltimore-Annapolis trail so this biking thing should happen often. Maybe I should make a rule that we only go to the Annapolis Mall by bike?
I do wish there were sidewalks from our house to the grocery store, library, post office. It would make running errands fun, and old fashioned feeling. As the weather gets cold, I could bundle the girls in, give them baked potatoes to hold, put hot bricks under their feet...it would be just like Laura Ingalls. Chris thinks I'm nuts, but I think I just read a lot as a kid.
Anyway, Sonja is handing me a diaper, indicating she would like the be changed. I will blog more tonight! =)

Little Anna turned three, two weeks ago. We had a wonderful celebration at home and then went to every three year old girl's dream- an NFL game. Really, it just happened the tickets someone gave us were for that night. Anyway, as you can see, the girls were terribly unimpressed. And the beerman, and everyone else, was terribly loud. We left after the first quarter. To make up for exposing Anna to B-more's finest fans, we let her stay up pretty late cooking- here's the video.
Uncle Roo and Aunt Manda were visiting this weekend so we had another birthday celebration up with Great Grandmom, Oma and Opa. Anna was launched into the world of dress up. =) We didn't do another cake, but one of my college roomies Julie joined me on another royal icing adventure. Things have been a little crazy around here. I've got a little something going on...not a baby...that I'll tell ya'll about soon.

A couple of days ago, the girls and I made a run over to the post office. Anna most always brings a dolly or stuffed animal wherever we go and that day brought her dolly. We stepped into an empty post office and went right up to the counter. Before I finished paying there were 6 or 7 people in line. I knew Anna was right next to me, but I never really looked at her. The people in line were smiling at us when we headed for the door, but people usually smile at little kids. So we walk out and Anna is right beside me but I guess I still hadn't really looked at her. She stops at the edge of the sidewalk to jump off and I turn around to watch.

And I see blue underwear.

The first thing through my head is, "Oh no, did I not put shorts on her? Did I just take her to the post office without pants on?! Have I really lost it?" But then I realize I had put her in a dress, which she had pulled clear to her armpits in order to "nurse" her dolly. Then I remembered how in the car she had been chatting away about her doll needing to nurse, etc. Cue discussion on nursing discretely as a 3 year old.
All those smiling people...

Two Saturdays ago, we were making ready to join the beach bound traffic when a few fire engines pulled up. Our neighbor's alarm was sounding simply to make Saturday morning eventful- there was no smoke, no fire, no CO, nothing but irrate nieghbors. Not us though, largely due to Chris' morning run to dunkin' d, but also because Anna loves her some fire truck.


Anna could have chatted in the truck for hours, but inside Sonja was clearly ready to be in water:

We waved goodbye to our friendly fire folk, loaded the girls and embarked for Fenwick Island. Anna and Sonja stopped off in Nod, making it a quick pleasant trip for everyone.
Oma arrived a couple minutes after we did and the pool was immediately visited.


After a while, I enjoyed a book poolside and was joined by this bathing beauty:

The next morning we were at the beach:
Sonja preferred frisbee, and anything else, to going near the water.

At least this time she didn't hate the sand too...

...thanks, Daddy.

I puzzled over the Times and Sonja inhaled fruit snacks.

Ever socialable, Anna found some little friends to play with so most of our pictures of her from that day were on zoom.

Another day at the beach- Anna's friends were not there so we have some in focus shots.

Lunch on the beach.

(Short lived) nap on the beach.

Sonja applauding for....

....dolphins!

More soon!