If Only I Were a Star

Many of you have asked and unfortunately I wish I had a part in the video below.... then my parents would have more stashed away for my college fund :-). I think it's a cool video though..

I got the fever for the flavor...

and no I'm not talking about Will Smith's song "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It". I'm talking about FLAVOR ICE. Yesterday Auntie Michelle invited us over for a good ole Fourth of July BBQ. While we were waiting for the grill to warm up, Auntie Michelle introduced me to what might possibly be the best summer treat ever! That's right folks, I'm talking about Flavor Ice. Mommy was a little skeptical but I took to this frozen treat like a true pro. Daddy and Mommy remembered their childhood days eating Flavor Ice also. Most especially, they recalled how they ate so many that the sides of their mouths had cuts from the plastic wrappers.

Daddy took some snapshots below of my first Flavor Ice experience (I'm hoping that these photos might make it to my baby book). To all you Flavor Ice lovers out there.... here's to you!

Love,
Emerson
"Yeah, this is what I'm talking about.... Flavor Ice, a good movie, and BBQ"


"Can you believe that Auntie Michelle is letting me eat this on her couch.... BTW Mom was a nervous wreck the entire time... I loved it!"

"Flavor Ice feels good on my teeth that are coming in too!"

" I better savor these last couple of bites, Mommy says that too many of these might spoil my dinner"

Little Swimmer

Mommy has been taking me to the pool lately and man is it fun! Of course, it always takes me a couple of minutes or so to get adjusted to the water but after that, there is so much to do. The pool has this cool rope with these blue circular floats attached to it and Mommy and I have fun pushing them from side to side. Mommy also pushes me around while making motor boat sounds in the pool and that's a lot of fun too! I've tried to get into the pool without my life vest on but, Mommy insists that I wear it (some nonsense about being safe of something... ).

Yesterday afternoon, we all went to Target and I got to pick out my a new float for the pool. I can't wait to try the new float out, it even has these cool toys that are attached to it. Anyways, here are some photos from my day at the pool yesterday. Auntie Michelle came with us and I also got to see Auntie Mindy and Ms. Emily. Ms. Emily is almost 4 years old and a lot of fun to play with.... she's a good sharer too :-).

Happy Fourth of July!

Love,
Emerson
"Really Mom, let's just get down to business and go swimming"

"Auntie Michelle, Help! Get me out of this contraption"

"But I don't want to get out of the pool"

"Check it out, there are even toys outside of the pool"

"Mom's too slow with the sippy cup, I'll just get water from my life vest"

"Hey Mom, you got any snacks?"

"Auntie Michelle, I'm freezing here.... where's my towel?"

"You know it's a good day at the pool when your feet are wrinkled"

After a long day of fun in the sun, Mommy and Daddy enjoyed the nice cool weather on the back deck.

Just Daddy and Me

This past Friday thru Monday, Mommy left for a relaxing spa weekend getaway with her friend and left the men at home to fend for themselves. No, really it we were excited to see Mommy go and get some rest and plus that meant guy time for Daddy and I!

On Saturday, Daddy took me hiking and then to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Now, if you recall back to last year's festival we saw different artifacts from Texas, Bhutan and NASA. This year, Wales, Las Americas and a section called Giving Voice were featured. Giving Voice was the section that I was most interested in. It had all kinds of good storytelling, which I love by the way :-). So Dad and I were playing when all of the sudden this man with the coolest drum I've ever seen showed up. Tejumola "TEJU" Ologboni was the name of the man and he was one of the Storyteller's that day. Here's a photo below of TEJU and a little background on him too:

TEJU draws listeners into stories with gestures and movements, and sometimes with music made on traditional Africa instruments. Some of his stories are filled with magic and mystical characters, like "the Possum and the Hare;" others are fact like the story of Joshua, a runaway captive who escaped to Wisconsin, and whose case went all the way to the Supreme Court, when a bounty hunter tried to capture and return him to being enslaved. Serious or humorous, political or festive, Teju's stories reflect on longstanding and contemporary cultural perspectives to capture and return him to being enslaved. Serious or humorous, political of festive, Teju's stories reflect on longstanding and contemporary cultural perspectives to give listeners greater understanding of the profound influence of African heritage on our traditions and identities. Come listen to this culture keeper and be enlightened and inspired.

While TEJU was setting up for his storytelling he let me hang out with him and play his drum! TEJU was impressed and after I was done, I slapped him five :-). It was really awesome! TEJU told Daddy that I need a drum of my own. I couldn't wait to tell Mommy ...hahaha.

Sunday, Daddy and I went to the American History museum and a little more time again at the Folklife festival. We sure had fun guys weekend but when Monday came, we were glad to see Mommy.

Love,
Emerson



"Hey TEJU where can I get one of these?"

"Whoa, feathers too!"

"TEJU, you got to hit it in just the right spot"

"I think I'll start my own band"

"Look Mommy, Daddy let's me jump on the couch when you're not here"

Hiking on Father's Day

I Scream You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream

This past Saturday, Mommy and Daddy took me out for dinner and a treat. It was Father's Day weekend and Daddy was in the mood for Tex Mex. The closest thing that we can find to that is Austin Grill which is now rumored to be owned by some Yankees (Originally started by Austinite's). When Mommy and Daddy first moved to this area Austin Grill use to import Amy's ice cream but now that they have new owners.... well let's just say they don't know what they are missing by not having it!

After our dinner, the weather was so nice that we decided to go get my very first ice cream. So Daddy with his rock star parking, found us a spot right up close to the waterfront of Old Town Alexandria. Of course all the ice cream shops were packed but it was worth the wait. Mommy and I shared some sort of heath chocolate combination. IT WAS SO GOOD!

Finally, we ended our evening walking around the waterfront and checking out the artists booths from a festival close by. On Sunday, we took a Father's Day hike at Great Falls. I'll be sure to get that video up later.

Love,
Emerson
"Mommy, let me have the spoon... I promise that I won't make too much of a mess"

" Hey Lady, you got anymore of that good ice cream"

We Had A Ball!