Par-tay!

Carter's birthday party was a success! At least if measured by how much HE enjoyed it! Per his request, we had a Bakugan-themed swimming party at the pool where the boys take lessons.

Here is Carter splashing around with his school buds! Carter is normally very wary in the water, but he must have been inspired by his friends because he had a blast!

Bennett and daddy, doing I don't know what - part napping, part swimming, part ball game!


These are the best candle-blowing pics EVER!!! We got ice cream-cupcakes for the party and they were a HIT!!!

And Bennett stole someone's leftover pizza to chomp on while bubby opened presents!

Carter received quite a few new Bakugan to add to his collection, along with many other awesome gifts!!

Thank you to everyone who came out to help us celebrate Carter's 5th birthday!! He had a wonderful time!!!

My Baby is FIVE!

Carter Armando

Born March 12, 2005, 3:01 a.m.
7 lbs 7.4 oz, 20 in.
Carter's BIRTH day!!

First Birthday!

Second Birthday!

Third Birthday!

Fourth Birthday!

FIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I will post pictures from his big birthday party bash that is being held later today!

What Memories Are Made Of

This weekend was filled to the brim full of family, friends and fun! Indeed, one of those weekends where memories are made!



On Friday evening, I hosted a BBQ at my crib for a bunch of ladies from my mommy-board! There are about 100 women on my board, and we all try to meet up "in real life" whenever possible! Friday, we had a lady from Texas, a lady from Iowa and a lady from Massachusetts, and their families!!!

This is a picture of my best friend Melissa, her son Elijah, and Bennett and I.


Saturday night, Ace's sister bought us tickets to the Jason Mraz concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion for Ace's birthday. It started out the perfect night for an outdoor concert - and the the heavens opened up and we got DRENCHED!!!!










He we are trying in vain to stay dry under our picnic blanket! That lasted all of 10 minutes...












And here we are post-downpour, using our ponchos as make-shift green houses to stay warm! It never felt so good to get home and peel off the wet clothes!

But it was so worth it - Jason Mraz was awesome and sooooo talented!!!!









Sunday, we went with Ace's family to Medieval Times to celebrate Ace's 31st birthday (yep, old dude!) and my sister-in-law's birthday as well.









Both boys really loved it! Bennett was clapping and cheering the whole time! Carter was pretend sword fighting in the aisle!










And a bonus picture of Bennett giggling with his uncle!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Birthday in Review

For my birthday, Ace took me to a quaint little French bistro in Baltimore - Petit Louis. We had received a gift certificate for this restaurant a while back but never used it. Perfect occassion! It was so nice to go out to dinner at a nice restaurant just the two of us. I can't even tell you how long its been since we had a date! We kept saying the entire time that we really should do this more often!!


I ordered a duck leg that came on a bed of mushrooms and these crispy tasty things, but I could never figure out what they were and forgot to ask. I also treated myself to a wonderful glass of French Pinot Blanc :) Ace ordered braised lamb that came with English peas, pearl onions and pee wee potatoes. For desert, we got this delicious chocolate cake that had some sort of carmel mousse swirled inside it and served with vanilla bean ice cream. It was all very yummy!!!

Then I came home and crawled into bed with Carter and conked out. What better gift to myself on my birthday than sleep??!! This sweet little boy made me a birthday card out of my scrapbooking supplies and hid it for an entire week just so he could surprise me with it today. That will definitely be going into the box of stuff a mom is compelled to keep forever.

I also happened to finish "Eat, Pray, Love" and have to say it was a very very good book. I highly recommend it. I can't say that I related to the author on a personal realm, but she has a way of writing that draws you in and makes you feel like you are experiencing her transcontinental trip with her every step of the way. It was like a mini-vacation to read the book! And of course, now I have a deep craving to travel - like that's going to happen any time soon!