The Sliding Board

He's Got the Beat

Bird's the Word!

Archer, David and I are trying to learn some more sign language. The only word he has down is 'all done'. Granny Goose gave us a great dvd that teaches other useful words like 'dog', 'cat', 'give', 'more', and 'milk'. Archer has really taken to the word and sign of bird. He really says dird instead of bird though. He makes us laugh.

Here are some pictures mom took today when she visited. We went to the Pope John Paul Center and played a little since it was so rainy. I look about as serious as Archer does playing with the blocks.

Quiet Waters Park - Annapolis

Today we went to Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. It was probably the most dog friendly place David or I have ever been to. They gave us dog biscuits when we entered the park. They had a huge off leash dog area with a dog beach. They even had a place to get salt water off your puppy.

Because Scout and Brandy like their privacy. we found a more secluded place for them to swim. We had a great time at the park. Then went to lunch with dogs and the babe in downtown Annapolis.

You might think that was the end of the busy day, but we wanted more activity. This afternoon we went to see the beautiful Begert Family for an early dinner. Archer loved learning from Luke about how to play basketball.

All in all it was a wonderful Sunday before Memorial Day.

Fun with Water

Elliot and Archer having a blast at the water table.

I wonder if this is hygienic...

My Backseat Driver

No more tears! We have made the switch to facing front and it has made a huge difference in Archer's life. I love Mr. Walker of the DC DMV. He helped me install the carseat the right way.

Lawn Boy and his Daddy

These are some funny pictures taken on Saturday. After helping his father mow the lawn, Archer is now infatuated with his "pretend" lawnmower that is electric, unlike our push mower.

The Drum, the Water Table and the Party Pictures

Here are the pictures from 3 weeks ago when Archer had his Antrim Family birthday party. He still is in love with his hand crafted drum and his water table. They are the best presents. Thank you Uncle John and Aunt Mary, Uncle Hugh and Katharine!

Trees

As I posted yesterday, I got to do anything I wanted for Mother's Day so I choose a walk at the arboretum. I love the arboretum. I love that it's close, I love that we can bring the dogs, I love the open spaces, and I love the trees. Ever since I took forestry at Sewanee, I have become attached to trees. My favorite tree is called liriodendron tulipifera (we had to memorize the Latin name) or yellow poplar.


Even better than trees are David and Archer playing on trees. Here are some pictures from the arboretum yesterday.

This is a Chinese tree that is in the rose family. I have forgotten the exact name, but isn't it cool?!

The Puddle Pool

Archer loved playing in his puddle pool yesterday. His favorite thing was climbing out of the pool and then back in again.

In other news...happy mother's day! David was really sweet and got me some pretty roses. I get to do anything I want today so we are going to do some math (practice for the praxis) and some laundry. We are also going to take a nice walk in the arboretum.

Archer's Garden

Last year around this time, Granny Goose and Boo Dad came up to spend the weekend. I can't remember why, probably because our yard was lacking in the flower department, but they ended up at the Home Depot to buy us azaleas, rose bushes and boxwood bushes. Then David went back to get even more plants with Boo Dad. I watched and nursed Archer as David, Granny Goose and Boo Dad worked very hard under Mom's directions to weed and dig holes. The garden looked great last year. I wasn't sure it would make it to another spring though, because I am not the best gardener. Despite the boxwood bushes being peed on by the dogs, Archer's Garden has managed to hang on and even bloom flowers!

"Look at my garden!"

Archer's new "hard" smile. It means he is really happy.

Hanging out by the azaleas, chewing on his silver cup.

One of the rose bushes.

Uncle John's Fishing Boat

Last weekend was also Uncle John's birthday. So Uncle Hugh and Katharine went to Bass Pro Shop to get him a present. Katharine found a remote control fishing boat that was supposed to actually catch fish. Pretty cool, but would it work? Uncle John went out to the canal next to the James River by our house to try it out. Here are the results.

Even though Archer is not in the movie, he was there with Aunt Mary and me standing on the bridge cheering Uncle John on.

The To Do List

My daunting to do list has been occupying my free time and I have not been focusing on the blog as much as I want to. Here is what has to be accomplished before July 1st:

• pass the Praxis I test
• pass the Praxis II test
• complete 6 weeks of Technology in Education class
• finish my American Stupid University E-Portfolio

Because my to do list has to get done, it will get done. Right? I would rather just enjoy the spring. Here are some of the beautiful azaleas that have bloomed at the arboretum.

Archer Walking (without help)

Archer has been cruising for awhile, but since the day of his big doctor's appointment, he has been walking on his own. His crawl is definitely faster than the walk and he falls down a lot, but he is is on his own two legs! I wonder when he will start running?

I wish I had pictures of this past weekend with Aunt Mary, Uncle John, Uncle Hugh and Katharine, but alas, they are on Granny Goose's camera in Richmond. I will get them eventually and post them because they are documentation of such a fabulous weekend. Archer not only got a beautiful silver cup from the Boodad, but also a water table from Uncle Hugh and Katharine and a wooden drum with multiple mallets handcrafted by Uncle John and Aunt Mary. My favorite part on Sunday was seeing Uncle John launch his remote control fishing boat and even catch a fish!!! It was a proud moment for the Maddox family. Thanks for having us mom and dad!

The Boo Dad and the Banjo