Been Around the World And I, I, I

Okay so I didn't exactly go around the world but I certainly did go places. Oh the places I went. We went down to Nana Mary's a little while ago and had a great time doing all our favorite eastern shore activities.


We even had a chance to start up what I hope (I REALLY REALLY HOPE) is a new eastern shore tradition even though it's not really on the eastern shore but it would be an activity that we'd do anytime we visit the eastern shore because it's only a short drive away and Uncle Thomas and Aunt Becky live just five minutes away from this place so it would only make sense that we visit them and then visit this place. BUSCH GARDENS! Sure there were rides and cotton candy and games and prizes but what I really enjoyed was a chance to learn another way that I'm very much like my mom and dad. Towards the very end of the night when it was dark, we were on our way to the park exit and mom and dad saw a ride that they both loved as kids and probably still do. Then, right next to it was a junior version of the ride. I think I discovered exactly why they liked this ride so much. Could be my new favorite too!


From the eastern shore we went back home to Brooklyn and my cousin Ava from California came to visit. It's seems like recently all these new playgrounds are opening up around New York. One day we all decided we'd check out one of the newest ones called Pier 6. Whoa! We could have spent the entire day there.


I wasn't about ready to say goodbye to Ava so I jumped on a plane and went with her back to California. See now the whole 'been around the world' theme is starting to make sense, isn't it? Highlight of the trip? Sure I got to hang with my cousins and sure I got to chill in the pretty palisades but c'mon. What I really remember and still talk about? Bowling!


But now I'm back, back in the New York . . . oh you know the rest. Can't get that song out of my head. Got a haircut yesterday! I see you but do you see me in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Take the Long Way Home

We certainly did. But it was worth it. And I'm such a good boy in the car these days that mommy and daddy hardly even notice I'm back there. Right. But it was worth it as I said because we took Uncle David to the airport. And not the airport near my home, this was the airport near Nana Mary's home. Yup, we went and visited Nana Mary. Everyone was there like Uncle Thomas and Aunt Becky and my new cousin Colin! We took a trip over the bridges and through the tunnels to see a school Uncle Thomas might go to for studying law. I guess that's where people learn about what's right and what's wrong. Maybe Uncle Thomas could come back here when he's done and help me because lately I've been having a little trouble keeping track of what's right and what's wrong. Hey, I'm just a kid. Little slack? At least I know mommy and daddy still love me.


Daddy had me make a wish and throw a penny into a fountain. My wish was to keep the penny. Thanks, daddy. Guess that one didn't come true. And there was all that money in the fountain. That's a lot of people who didn't wish for the same wish as me. So that got me thinking. Not really about wishes, or pennies, or fountains. Just about stuff. I like to think.


So like I said, I'm getting better at taking trips in the car. I was serious when I said mommy and daddy hardly notice me anymore when I'm in the back. Speaking of the back, here's a picture I took with daddy's phone. Now you can see what I see in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Evidently Mr. Giambalvo's An Educated Man

Well yes I am, or, getting there to say the very least. What's that phrase people usually say? Something about being like a diaper - soaking up all the information you can get? So that's me! All this knowledge out there and it's all for free. The best part, all you have to do is ask, "why?" You can ask why to just about anything. You can even ask why after you get a response to your first why. It just keeps going. Like the other day. We took this trip to Nana Mary's for the holiday. Everyone was just so happy to see everyone and of course Nana Mary was so happy to see me. In fact, she was so happy to see me that she made it a point to see me every morning around 7:15 while mommy and daddy were happy seeing the other side of their pillows. But the other day, while we were visiting Nana Mary, we took a trip to the beach. I was thinking this would be great because I love the beach and I was all ready to get out my shovel and bucket and swimsuit. Nope. Sorry. Didn't happy. Why? Apparently people don't do those kind of beach things when it's cold out.


Oh and then we went to see my cousin Andrew. We had a great time over there even though Aunt Linda didn't let us play with the treadmill. So I found other things to play with like the pinball game. I had never seen a pinball game before. There's this little silver ball that rolls around and you tap the buttons on the side to keep the ball from falling into the bottom. Daddy said I play a mean pinball. Why? I guess because of my supple wrist.


Then we had everyone over to Nana Mary's for some singing. All I kept hearing was that some woman named Carrie Okie was coming but she never showed. Anyway we sang. Nana Mary and Aunt Linda dressed up for their singing. Even baby Lauren got into action with the dressing up. Daddy sang a couple times but he didn't sing any of my favorites. Maybe he saves those for when it's night-night time and he's laying next to me on the bed. But the best part was when I got a chance to sing with my cousin Andrew. Oh I was belting out the hits. I sang the ABC song, Bear Went Over the Mountain and the Taxi song with daddy. Someone said I'm a natural. Why? Maybe it was the way I was winning over the crowd. They love me, they really love me.


It was a good trip and the best part is, we get to go back in just a couple days. Why? Another holiday. Oh, and wait till you hear who's gonna be there. Uncle David, Uncle Thomas, Aunt Becky and my new cousin Colin! I can't wait. I think Nana Mary is already cleaning up the rooms getting ready for us. Taking my hat off to Nana Mary for all she does to make our visits memorable in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Nana Mary Was There!

We went on another road trip, this time down to Cape Charles. Yes I knew we were in Cape Charles just as I know I live in Brooklyn. So we went down to Cape Charles and Nana Mary was there! Okay, okay, of course she's gonna be there because she lives there but can a boy have a little excitement? I've been liking all this Nana Mary time.


This trip was by far the best trip of them all, and it wasn't even Christmas! Where do I start? Well one of the huge highlights of the trip was this treasure hunt I went on with Dylan and Andrew. There was this pirate ship that Uncle Terrell saw in the water and one of the pirates came onto the sand and buried his treasure and we had to find these clues and the X marked the spot and we dug up the treasure and IT WAS SO MUCH FUN! Since the three of us were part of a team, we divided up the loot evenly and there was just so much stuff. I really hope the pirates come back next time. Do pirates know where Brooklyn is?


We also spent some time at the pool and you're never gonna guess who can swim. Go ahead, guess. Yup, that's right. I can swim! Mommy put these things are my arms and whadya know, I was floating. We had the best time together playing in the water and swimming around. I know my great-great-great-great-great-great-wonderful-super-smart-funny-loving-amazing-grandfather loves the water because he lives on an island. And my grandfather, well daddy tells me he was a swimmer back in high school. And my Uncle David, he was also a swimmer in high school. And daddy, well daddy wasn't exactly a swimmer but he was on the diving team in high school. Pretty sure you gotta swim to do that. So it's in my blood.


Another great trip down along the eastern shore. I can't wait to go back. Looking around for more of Crabby Joe's treasure in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Christmas at Nana Mary's

We drove down to Nana Mary's for Christmas. I sure do like taking road trips because that means stopping at restaurants we don't have around here. Plus, mama and dada do everything they can to keep me happy in the car so that means as many Starbursts as I want! Don't mind if I do. Once we got there I was so happy to see my nana, Uncle David, and Aunt Becky. I was bummed Uncle Thomas wasn't there but dada told me he's off in the desert protecting the land I live on. Thanks, Uncle Tom! While you're not here, I'll be sure to keep Aunt Becky company.


I had a great time playing with Nana Mary and all the toys she keeps for me at her home. We even took some time to visit her where she works, and of course that means more toys! I took some time out of my busy schedule during the visitation to work the phones.


One day we went over to the beach. We didn't go swimming like last time but we still walked up to the water and touched the sand. Uncle David pointed out some good tips on what it takes to be a Giambalvo - mainly he coached me on laying out at the beach in warmer weather.


It was a great trip and I wish we could have stayed longer but we had more family coming to visit us back in Brooklyn so we had to rush back after mama's birthday. Hoping to stay longer next time in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Eastern Shore Style

I took a trip to see Nana Mary and she certainly knows how to do things right in Cape Charles. There were toys, a table that was my size for eating and drawing at, PLAYDOUGH!, and a little couch just for me with Elmo on it. I could not have asked for more. Oh and we went to the pool too! Such a good time. Getting there can sometimes be a bit boring but mama does a pretty good job of entertaining me from the front seat, as long as she's not busy telling dada to slow down.


Now wait, the trip gets even better. My aunt and uncles were there! Let's see - there was Aunt Becky and Uncle Thomas and Uncle David. I always have such a good time with them. And we're always so busy - playing in the backyard, reading books, wrestling, having screaming contests. This is when I was enjoying some quality bonding time with Uncle Thomas.


And it gets even better yet. I went swimming in the bay! Oh my gosh the waves were so much fun. Each time a wave would come, dada and I would scream as the water would splash our faces. We really had fun out there and out there really means OUT THERE! I looked out and all I saw was water, water, and more water.


Better yet. I really had fun with the Abby. I see dogs all over the place back home but I'm usually in my stroller and don't have a chance to play with them. Abby was right there for me to play with and that meant a lot. So much that I gave her a kiss to say thank you.


I know I'm only, what, not even two? But I do know how to appreciate some of the finer things in life. I mean I have a pretty nice ride in my Bugaboo, I am quite the little traveler (Hawaii, Florida three times, Chicago twice, South Carolina twice, Virginia three times, LA three times and hey I'm there right now), and my parents really are all about me because when I look around all I see are pictures of, yep, me! So yes, it's good to be me but I try not to let it get to my head because at the end of the day, nope, wait, I'm still me! Hey this is a pretty good deal. Sitting back, relaxing, and taking it all in, in LANDEN'S WORLD.