After a rather lackluster time on the playground equipment, the boys with Laura and I went to the woods to see if the cats were still there. That area is close to the baseball field. That became an invitation to jump off the bleachers and climb fences. The boys had a great time as jumping and climbing is still a challenge at ages 3 and 4, as well as triumphs occur when they could finally jump without falling, and climbing and ... Read More

Today was a "Cammy Day" as we call them, and being summer, swimming in the pool was definitely a highlight scheduled for the day. Now Cammy being older, knows how to do a lot more in the pool than Silas and of course Rubí. Rubí is not yet enchanted with getting into the water, yet, and Silas seems to run out of things to do soon. So, I decided to fill up some buckets with water. Next was Rubí's turn. So much time was spent ... Read More

Laura and I wanted to do something today, and thought of walking around Kinder Park in this nice weather. When we found out that Cameron had a tee ball game today, we decided to walk to the park where he was at and watch him play. When we arrived there, we found the Zenglers, their son Connor playing the opposing team as Cammy. ... Read More

Never having been to Philadelphia, and John who likes to visit zoos, we combined an outing and went to the Philadelphia Zoo and then decided to see the Liberty Bell in historic Philadelphia. What I did not know was that Philadelphia was home to the FIRST zoo in our country. Overall, having just been to the National Zoo the day before, we were impressed still on Philadelphia's way of putting a zoo together. The reptile and amphibian house was impressive... Among the cats was ... Read More

We, along with Silas, were invited to Cameron's 4th birthday celebration at Chuck E Cheeses. When I told John what we were doing, he said that was an awful name to give a place to eat for children. To an Australian, the name Chuck E Cheeses sounds awfully strange. So, I went to the party and was sure to take a lot of photos so John could, in a way, experience Chuck E Cheeses, that American children seem to love so much. Happy ... Read More

Today, Miranda, Laura and I decided to go to Kohls. They had a big sale, and we had another 30% card extra off. Spring is around the corner and so are some events, (like Miquel and Jenny's wedding), so we all need some things. Shopping is sure different taking kids along. :) It's handy that Laura is quick with her phone camera too. Well I didn't get the shoes I was looking for, but we picked up a few things, and the kids had ... Read More

The other day we had a time of it with Silas and Cameron out in the crisp, autumn leaves. ... Read More

Birthday parties and actual birthdays don't always match in this family. We celebrated earlier this month Silas's actual birthday, but today was his birthday party. Miranda decided to have it at Lake Waterford. Sweet for me to think the very park I took Enric and Miranda's engagement photos at, now they are there holding their 3 year old's birthday celebration. It was nothing big, just family and Silas's playmate, Cameron. First the children played at the playground section of the park. ... Read More

Like last year, we went to the Baltimore Harbor for fireworks. This year had some differences, we had Enric, Miranda, Silas and baby Rubí with us! However, this year, Miquel had to work, and no Jenny either. On Chrissy's side, we had Jim, Johnny, Britney, Adam, Sophia, and Cameron...but no Heather. It's always fun to just 'arrive' at the Harbor and look around... Making fudge... Buying Fudge...Maple fudge AND cookies and cream! Blue tongues after eating blue snow cones! Cameron with Jimmy We found a good place to ... Read More

Wednesday, Miranda, Laura, and I took Silas and Cameron to the zoo in DC. The National Zoo in DC is a wonder,  I never get to see all I want in one visit. A gallery of all the photos taken of the extraordinary collection of animals is here » DC ZOO PHOTOS ... Read More

After a few days straight of rain, the sun came out and everyone was anxious to get out. We had Cameron, so it was decided to take the boys to the park. The slide was wet, but Silas went down anyway. Silas was already to help Cameron. Getting outdoors to the park is just too fun! But alas, the mud...Silas couldn't help himself. Laura watched from a safe distance from above. Then the mud became the main event with Silas... Now Laura watches from a less safer ... Read More

Today we went to Cameron's birthday party! It was also a treat for Silas! Laura (one of his babysitters) holds him in the kitchen. Silas gets chased by a girl with a gun! Cameron opens presents. The cake! A kiss for mommy. ... Read More

I love it when children take everyday objects and let their imaginations transform them into something else. In the boys case today chairs were a train or a bus or something fun. They sure made it fun. ... Read More

Each Christmas a package arrives from Australia. John, every year, seems to select the nicest gifts. For the two boys, he sent adorable t-shirts from The Perth Zoo where he is a docent. It seemed right to give Cameron the tiger t-shirt, as when John and I took him to the zoo last April, he kept asking to see the tigers. Also, each Wednesday he climbs on my lap asking to see tigers on YouTube. For Silas, John selected an amazing graphic tee, ... Read More

Wednesday again, and this time, since we got nearly two feet of snow, it was a chance to take Cameron and Silas out to play in the snow. Cameron throws some snow. Silas gets to throw one too. Miranda tries to make it snow again. Laura making a snow angel. Miranda shows Cameron how to make a snow angel. Laura gets Silas with a big chunk of snow. ... Read More

Ever sang Deep and Wide in Sunday School? It was also a favorite of mine at Vacation Bible School with Rev. South. I've been teaching Silas some new songs. One was "This Little Light of Mine" and the one on this video, "Deep and Wide."  This was soon after they both heard it for the first time, so they need a little more practice, but Laura captured them with her new camera. The house is mid getting ready for Christmas, which ... Read More

This Wednesday, Miranda thought it a good idea for the boys to do painting, Laura agreed, and indeed it was. They had a great time. The first bit of fun was putting Enric's old shirts on inside out to protect their clothes. They ran around the house just enjoying the new shirts to start off. Miranda said if she had known putting them in big shirts was such a happy thing, she would have done it long ago! Next, Miranda set them up in ... Read More

Mom handed Cameron one day a car to play with. I wondered where it came from, as it was obviously old. She told me it was my dad's. Since it was my dad's, the very moment Cameron wasn't interested in playing with it, I put it on my shelf, and there it has been decorating my room. However, it wasn't until today that I thought to investigate about this little toy car. First thing I did was borrow Laura's new camera ... Read More

Wednesdays at our house these days, means the pitter patter of little feet. Silas is now living here and weekly has a buddy to play with as Laura babysits Cameron. The two boys are getting along great. Silas here reads a book while Cameron focused on the beach ball. Silas loving on Cameron...or tackling him, not sure. :) I guess it was loving. This time, Silas is getting some loving correction from mommmy. A favorite toy, the school bus. Boys smiling for Laura in Granddad's chair. Another ... Read More

Yesterday was Silas and Miranda's  first full day here. They got here late Tuesday night. Silas spent his first day with a buddy, as it was Laura's babysitting day with Cameron. He has renamed the cats Dante and Jasper to Danti and Basher. Silas is a joy to have around and he has enchanted us all! ... Read More

While at Heather's to take her photos before Homecoming Dance, Cameron decided to show off his guitar skills. With this one, Jim his pop-pop figures he has shown him too many Jimi Hendrix videos on You Tube. :) Oh well, at least it's not on fire. :) ... Read More

After the Jasper in the tree crisis, I didn't have time to breathe, have a cup of tea and just relax, we had to rush off to Heather's as she asked me to take her photo before going to her Homecoming Dance at her school. (Same school her mom, dad, and I graduated from). She was needless to say, glamorous! This one turned out to be my favorite. With friends... Cammy in the picture too of course! Dad gives her a sweet send off... Britney remarked ... Read More

Seems like yesterday we went to Britney's second birthday party... Today she turned 21. Earlier in the week Britney messaged me on Facebook to see if we were coming to her party at Cheeseburger in Paradise. I had never gone there and all week, my mouth was watering to try one of their cheeseburgers. We arrived a little late (I left home and forgot her present!) A second attempt and we arrived with everything. The birthday girl was even later than I was, so we ... Read More

Typically John will wake up in Australia on his Thursday morning (still my Wednesday afternoon) and ask, "What did you do today?" My answer is usually, "Play with Cameron." Summer's heat and humidity seems to have been replaced by a cool, crisp, sunshiny days here, perfect weather to take Cammy outside, as we did yesterday. ... Read More

Britney and Heather were in a dance recital at Downs Park. I was excited to see them dance again, and have another chance to take photos. Britney on her toes. After the recital, Laura and Heather go to the beach. The tide must have been very high, there was only a little beach. Jenny and Miquel pause for a moment with the sun going down. Cameron, after seeing his mommy and auntie on stage, gave it a try. ... Read More

Needless to say, while Silas was here, our baby kitty was quite a hit. What was cute was he would call our older cat, Dante, "Big", and he would call our new addition, Jasper, "Small". Later, as Laura couldn't find the baby kitty and she was calling him, "Jaaaaaaaaaaasper" Silas copied her but saying "Jaaaaaaaaaaas". So adorable. Cameron paid us a visit on Monday and also got to see the baby kitty for the first time. He was really quite taken with him. ... Read More

Somehow, I got the job to babysit Cameron overnight. I was a little nervous about it, as Cameron is used to having "Ida" here. We soon found ways to have a good time. Like... raking the yard. Pushing the broken lawnmower... "Fixing" the mower... Checking on the corn in the garden... Jumping on the trampoline... He also snapped green beans from the garden with yaya. Blew bubbles in his iced tea. (I'm sure this would be a definite no-no with "Ida"). Ate dinner. Had a bath. Watched Yaya make a lemon pie. Finally fell ... Read More

After a morning of playing with "bar-bar" & "Dolphin", swiming in the pool forever with "Ida",  a three hour nap, and a huge appetite all day, it was nice to see Cameron cuddling and relaxing with Miquel on my bed. Cameron is such a joy. ... Read More

Today Laura and I were invited to Heather's dance recital. This was the 16th Annual Dance Recital of Dancer's Dreams, and held where I used to attend High School, Northeast. The first number, danced to Mercy: The next number was called, Busting Loose It was a great show. I took 800 photos in all. Another highlight was watching Cameron. He loved the dancing, he wanted, "More!" Coming home was interesting, a terrible storm with lightning greeted us as we left the school auditorium. Now we're just ... Read More

Each year the Blue Angels come to Annapolis. The first time I saw them was unexpected and almost scary! |A few times back now, it's just a thrill to see what it is they can do. This was my first time though with my new Canon camera using the 70-300mm lens. There isn't much I can say about their presentation, I will let the pictures speak for themselves... One thing that I can say, is that it's very inspiring to watch the ... Read More

A child in the house is such a joy, and once a week we get to enjoy Cammy. He is like the center of the universe each Wednesday. It has rained every day for the last....forever. It continues to rain as I blog this. However, this morning it was only cloudy, and we decided since it was warm, to take Cameron out to the park. He loved the swing... The SLIDE :) Going giddy-up on the see-saw. Balancing with Laura... Playing with the flowers, which we ... Read More

I don't know what it is with the Robins in our yard. They pick the most weird places to make a nest. Last year, they chose our porch light, and basically out of politeness to them, they basically re-routed the way we entered and exited our own house! This year, I think they have chosen the impossible. Laura noticed this morning the nest being made in a corner of our barn, on its outside. Before I could get excited, she pointed out to me ... Read More

John wanted to revisit the Zoo in D.C. Since it was a day when Laura babysits Cameron, we took him and Laura too! It took two tries to get in, but we finally made it. (D.C. itself is a zoo to drive and park in!) It was a chilly, rainy day and the zebras were...frisky. John gives Cameron a better look. John talks with a zoo volunteer about the Cheetahs. The lions were frisky too! In the butterfly section Laura had one on her finger. John gets a ... Read More

Yet another rainy day for John's holiday in Maryland. Fortunately we had Cameron here to entertain us and us entertain him. Now Mr. Dolphin isn't a stranger to Cameron, as they talk on the webcam each Wednesday. So in short order, Cam was on John's lap and looking out the window, through the rain, watching the birds and squirrels. John also built Cam a train track to play on. John himself took some photos, show how much Yaya and I love the dear little Cameron.... Tomorrow ... Read More

Spring is always special. Colors appear where before was dull and brown, but with a child like Cameron, spring is extra sweet. Today the woman he as come to know and love as Yaya, took him for a walk, and helped him pick a daffodil and some forsynthia. I made sure to grab some photos. Cameron in full run to show me his flower. ... Read More