Thank You

I don't often write to people but I thought I'd switch it up a little and say a big THANK YOU to my Uncle Thomas and Aunt Becky. Back on my birthday they sent me this super cool painting and coloring set and it was probably the only thing I wanted to play with that day but mama and dada quickly swept it away and hid it in the closet. They do this thing where one day I'll see a toy, then a couple weeks later it will be gone, and then a couple weeks later it will return. I like it because after a while I forget that I even had the toy and then when they bring it back out it's like Christmas all over again! HOWEVER, I did not forget about this painting set and had I only known which closet it was in I would have opened it up myself. Well anyway, they finally brought it out and we put it together. Wow! I'm having so much fun with it. I use the markers and the paints to draw choo-choos, flowers, stars, and just about anything else I can think of. So, thank you very much. I think this is one toy that mama and dada won't be hiding again from me anytime soon. oh, oh, OH! I almost forgot. My Uncle Thomas is supposed to be coming home next week from the desert where he's protecting the land I live on (this is what my dada told me). Now there's something special that went away and everyone will be happy to have back. Working on my first masterpiece here in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Who's the Boss?

Jasmine came over the other night and we played together all night long. First it started with all this amazing food that my mama and dada and her mama and dada put together on the table. We had chips, pizza, little wings, cake, and cookies. There was something on tv the whole night that everyone kept watching but Jasmine and I were able to keep busy on my new bed watching movies.


At one point, our parents called us into the room and there was all this singing and clapping because there was something new on tv. It was music! Jasmine and I danced all around. Now I don't really know who it was on the tv but Jasmine's mama called him the boss. Funny, I thought my mama was boss.


Oh Jasmine, champs like us, baby we were born to run 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!

I Came, I Saw, I Built a Snowman

We had snow the other day. For some reason, when it snows, all the normal rules go out the window and I can pretty much do whatever I want. It was great!


No rolling around in the dirt? Forget about it - I was rolling around all over the snow and dada showed me how to make snow angels. Well dada made one and then I ran through it. No throwing balls at other people? Forget about it! Dada and I were throwing snowballs at each other. I think he even tried to throw a couple at mama.


Then I helped dada build the snowman. Dada rolled the little snowball into a bigger snowball into a really big snowball into a huge snowball and that became our snowman. I helped him make the snowman nice and round.


I know there's a song about a snowman but we didn't exactly follow it because we used rocks for his eyes and nose and a stick for his mouth. If you ask me, I think our snowman looked a little scary. At least he was my height.


I had a good time playing in the snow. My little sister came outside too but she stayed all bundled up so I didn't get to play with her. Next time.


Waiting for the next snowfall so I can build another snowman here in LANDEN'S WORLD!

Dada, We're Gonna Have Company!

Lately it seems as if there's always somebody new sleeping in my living room; sometimes there's more than one person. For the record, since early October Nana Mary was here, then Nana Joan, followed by Auntie Joan and baby Connor, Uncle Randall and Aunt Christine, and now Tutu Kathleen and Uncle David. It's a constant stream of people and they are ALL HERE TO SEE ME! Well, maybe they're also here to see my new baby sister but hey, a boy can dream! Tutu Kathleen and David arrived and boom we were off to see the neighborhood. One of our first stops was the bookstore so I could show Tutu one of my hot spots for book reading.


Saturday rolled around and despite having visitors I still stuck to my regularly scheduled activities. That included swimming class, however, this time I switched things up and had Uncle David take me into the pool. Let's be honest here - even with dada I'm a little fussy when it comes to swimming class. So, I wasn't promising Uncle David an easy half hour. It took me a while but I eventually came around and we had a good time.


After a long day of activities, there's nothing I like more than some couch time. Uncle David felt the same way so we curled up next to each other to catch a couple Pingu videos.


Oh! Let's not forget one of my favorite activities - tumbling! Tutu came with for my tumbling class. Rolling around and around in LANDEN'S WORLD!

I Wish They All Could Be California Girls

I met someone. Her name is Keely and she lives across the street from my cousin Ava. She's a little older but my dada fell for an older girl. So, why can't I? I played with Keely quite a few times while we were out in California and we had a great time together. Some days we'd play at Ava's house and other days we'd play over at Keely's. I know the whole she-lives-in-California-I-live-in-New-York thing isn't the best but we can ichat. See, I'm learning!


One of the nights I was in California, my cousins had a little fun with me and dressed me up. I guess these things can be expected when you stay with two girl cousins.


Probably the best part of this trip was that I got to sleep in a big boy bed. I'm still not sure if I like it because some nights I would roll off, wake up, and then hop into bed with dada. That would last about an hour and then he'd put me back in my bed. I did really like taking my naps in the big boy bed. Plenty of room for me to move around and the bed was so big that I didn't have to worry about my pacis falling off the side.


We celebrated the turkey day with Keely's family across the street (you know I was more than happy to head over there for the day). There was so much food - I couldn't believe it! The best part was being able to help myself because the chip bowl was at just the right height.


Celebrating a happy turkey day with my family and friends in LANDEN'S WORLD!

AAA Club

It's the All About Ava Club and I'm the founding member. Ava is my cousin who lives way out in California (seriously too far away). We took yet another trip out there to see our family and I think the best way to explain what I did on this trip is to say what I did, I did with Ava. Where she went, I would follow. A typical day would start with a show or two. Sometimes it was Dora and other times it was Spongebob. Oh! And she got me hooked on a new show - Andy Pandy.


Then we'd clean up and head on out in the car. I think things on the west coast (I'm learning my geography) work a little differently than they do over here because Ava and I were able to do our own driving.


Our usual destination was the playground. We both love the park. We'd do the swings, the slides, the bars, and sometimes get the ball out and toss it around.


There would be a break for lunch at some point and we'd gather the troops (my other cousins were usually with us). The best part about lunch was always the dessert!


Trips to the playground always had to come to an end and that usually meant nap time for me. It worked out quite well because we'd get back in the car, I'd fall asleep (I guess Ava did most of the driving), and before I knew it I was back at home playing some more with Ava. We loved playing in the sink.


Back outside we went - sometimes to the front.


And sometimes to the back.


Our nights would start to settle down with a little dinner. I learned foods are even easier to eat with a toothpick.


Bath time was always a major event in the house. I never knew who would be joining me.


Then before bed, we'd settle in for another show. Ava certainly knows how to lounge in LANDEN'S WORLD!