Rock On

Plus

Equals

The rocking chairs that I bought Mark over 7 years ago are saved!

The Glendale Knitting Club

About 3 1/2 years ago I learned how to knit. I made a couple of scarves, and I even started a cute little bib where I had to knit and purl. Then I got pregnant, moved back to DC, and had a newborn to care for. Needless to say knitting was put on the back back back burner . . . until recently. The ladies on my block decided we needed to learn/relearn how to knit. My friend Kristen - the "professional" knitter - decided to teach us. After practicing on some old yarn, we are now all working on a baby blanket for another friend. It is amazing how fast it all came back! I have almost completed my first square for the blanket, and I will post picture when I am done.

Lucky Strikes

One of Jackson's friends had a bowling party for his birthday. All I can say is SO.MUCH.FUN! Thanks to the Schriver family for inviting us to yet another great birthday party!

Jackson could hardly wait to get started. After we got his bowling shoes on he was ready to bowl!


Step 1 - Find the perfect ball.


Step 2 - Carry the ball to the kids' lane with the gutter bumpers up. (And pose for a quick picture for mom!)


Step 3 - Patiently wait your turn. (This time behind the birthday boy!)


Step 4 - Place ball on kids' ramp and PUSH!!


Step 5 - And don't forget the follow through.


Repeat steps 1-5 for a solid two hours even if all the other kids lose interest.

Even Dad has some fun. Nice form!

Cherry Blossoms

The Kite Festival was the kickoff weekend of the Cherry Blossom Festival. The day of the kite festival, the cherry blossoms weren't quite ready to bloom. However, one week later and they were beautiful. Emmy and Poppy timed there visit perfectly to see the amazing view around the Tidal Basin.

Jackson played some soccer which I am sure the many people who were relaxing on a blanket loved.


Instead of fighting the huge crowds at the nearby metro stations, we decided to walk down by the Lincoln Memorial and across the Memorial Bridge to the Arlington Cemetery metro. Jackson was getting a little tired by this time but nothing some snacks and juice couldn't cure!


We even stopped on the Memorial Bridge for some quick pictures.



The airplanes were landing from the north at Reagan airport and Jackson loved watching them.


He was still watching as we were walking away.


We met some friends down there last Friday, and the cherry blossoms are already gone. I am glad we got to enjoy them while we had the chance.

Kite Festival 2010

It's that time of year again - the kite festival and cherry blossoms! We loaded up our kite, our soccer ball, and our little Jackson and headed down the National Mall with our kite in hand. After finding a great parking spot (which can be very difficult) we walked down the mall to stake our claim right by the Washington Monument. Mark gets the kite out to assemble and then uh-oh . . . where is the long stick that is suppose to support the kite??? So Daddy and Jackson play soccer, and Mommy heads off to buy another kite!

An hour later, Jackson and Daddy are putting together kite #2. Jackson loves it because it looks like a space ship.


Finally we get to fly a kite!


Jackson and Daddy working together before they fly solo.


Jackson is up first to fly the kite solo . . .


then Daddy gets to fly solo . . .


and finally Mommy's turn . . .


Ooops, so I can't fly a kite! Mark had it flying so high, and in 2 minutes flat after handing it off to me people were dodging the kite as it nosedived to the ground!

So while Daddy flies the kite, Mommy plays soccer with Jackson.


Then in two minutes flat after playing soccer with Mommy . . .


Jackson is just worn out and lays down.

Final Score:
Daddy/Jackson - 2
Mommy - 0

As we are heading back to the car, Jackson hears music and decides he wants to listen. So . . .


he runs ahead, sits down, and starts dancing. Of course we decide to join him before we head back to the car.


The Kite Festival was a hit as usual. Can't wait until next year, and this time we will bring both kites!

"Jesus Came Alive Again"

We had a great Easter celebration that lasted from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. After church on Easter, Jackson kept shouting, "Jesus came alive again!" He was so excited about what Jesus did for us on the cross that he made his preschool teacher Missi and Lois and a picture with cross and heart stickers. When he gave it to them the next day he told them, "Jesus died on the cross and then he came alive again! Jesus loves us!" Hmmm . . . I wish I was as bold in my faith as he is - a true demonstration of child-like faith!

On Palm Sunday Jackson got to go to "big church" and sing his song while waving a palm branch. He had practiced and practiced, but got a case of stage fright when it came time. He just froze and looked around with a panic look on his face. But don't worry, he is still singing it to this day. "Here comes Jesus riding on a donkey. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King! Wave the branches on the tree before Him. Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna to the King." When Jackson sings, he repeats this no fewer than 15 times. Beware: It is is catchy and will stay in your head way too long!

The Saturday before Easter two friends from my small group hosted their 2nd annual Easter Egg Hunt. It is a blast to watch all the kiddos scatter and gather all those eggs!

"On your mark, get set, go!"

Still hunting . . .


Jackpot!


Of course we had fun dying our Easter eggs. Since Emmy and Poppy were visiting, Emmy helped Jackson drop the eggs "gently" in the dye, and even showed him how to dye one egg two different colors.


Here are a couple of his favorites:


The Easter bunny made an appearance at our house leaving little white balls of fur that led Jackson to his basket. It was filled with chocolate eggs, bubbles, Mater, and the Checkered Flag car that he has had his eye on. The bunny even left him Candy Land.


We had lunch with some of our neighborhood friends after church. The weather was perfect - warm and sunny! I can't even remember the last time we had good weather on Easter . . . high school maybe?? Since we had such beautiful weather we decided to dine alfresco in one of our neighbor's backyards.


The food was great and the company was even better! Thanks again Kudas . . . .

and Carlsons . . . .


and Johnsons and Chris . . .


for a wonderful Easter lunch - same time next year, my friends? While we ate, Jackson had another egg hunt all to himself (yes, we were the only ones with a little one). However, this time around he had to actually work a little harder to find all those eggs!

I will leave you with the traditional Easter family picture. And just remember, "Jesus is alive again!"