made in kabul

This outfit was custom made in Kabul for Sky by my dad.


Sky loves the dress. She loves anything that is fancy and beautiful.

mariachi aiden

i can't talk with juice in my mouth

"Mommy, Mommy, you asked me a question but I didn't answer you. Yow know why? 'Cause, 'cause I can't talk when I have juice in my mouth."

fun at the fountains

Aiden with his classic semi-smile.


Sky would get a little wet, come back and dry herself, then run back to the fountain.


Oooh, tag in the face with cold water.








My superhero, Aiden.


They are a pair...











Sky's "I know I'm cute, and I know you love me" face.

aiden's t-rex

Aiden's drawing of his favorite dinosaur, the Tyrannosaurus Rex.

little afghan girl

Sky wearing my cousin Yasmin's traditional Afghan dress.

they found nemo

Both kids are getting over a chest cold that immediately followed an awful stomach virus. So what better way to spend a rainy Saturday than to rest up with a movie - Finding Nemo.

aiden gets his orange belt

Master Lee retires Aiden's yellow belt and ties on his new orange belt.

Aiden is already talking about getting ready for the green belt test.


Thirty seconds of meditation.


Showtime! Aiden showing Master Lee and the panel of judges his moves.


The judges quizzed Aiden on his knowledge of Tae Kwon Do terminology (all in Korean). He was also asked to explain some of the "B" marks on his (home) report card.


Master Lee gives Aiden a friendly hug.


Aiden happily running back to his seat after the judges passed him.



While he plays it cool, I can tell that Aiden really admires some of his older and more advanced classmates.


Aiden reminds his teammate about mind focus before breaking the board.


Aiden proudly holding the board that he had just broken with an ax kick.


Aiden cheering on a classmate to break a board with a drum roll.



Handshakes with the judges.


Concluding comments and a little motivational speech from the judges.


Aiden's whole Tae Kwon Do class - AHH YAAAAH!

daddy's sweet girl

playing in the driveway

Aiden has been practicing on his scooter and his efforts are really paying off. I watched him go half way down the hill without needing to put a foot down.


Upset that Aiden won't join her for a ride on the Gator, Sky decides to take off by herself.

What will Nana Beth say?

Here are Aiden and Sky working on their Mother's Day gift for Nana Beth and Grandma. After a long fifteen minute deliberation, they selected the paint color "sparkling violet" at Micheal's. They were very excited to get to work on Nana Beth's and Grandma's jewelry box.

fun at the office

Aiden entertaining himself at Platinum Solutions.


We keep a small sandbox complete with a tiny shovel, rocks, trucks, plow, and bricks for kids that visit the office. Aiden LOVES to play with the sandbox.

mother's day at aiden's school

Aiden's class put on a show for Mother's Day. It was sooooo cute. Although he was a bit shy, he really enjoyed being in the performance. I was so proud of him.


This is snack time after the show for the mommies.


Aiden is a class helper this week. This is kind of a big deal, people.

flying a boeing 757

The pilot invited Aiden and Sky into the cockpit. They were both so taken back by the experience that the only words they uttered the entire time was a very soft "thank you" at the end.

Aiden was so good on the plane and in the airports. He was busy with his goody bag and iPad videos. He also took a couple of naps. At the airport we read books and snacked. All and all he's a very good traveler.

Sky had a better return flight. She slept probably ten out of the twelve hours of flight time.