Practicing His Part

Take 1

Take 2

Basketball season has come to an end

Basketball season ended last weekend with a party at Fuddruckers. Maddy went along with his friend Michael and his Mum to the function. I was very ill and couldn't attend. Maddy was fine about it though and was only interested in receiving his award and playing games at the arcade LOL.

The boys did well this season, learning the basics and the rules of the game. They each received a certificate and trophy for their achievements.

Next on his activity list is Soccer and Tae Kwon Do.

Lalovaea Visit

I went to visit the old house at Lalovaea today. I was hoping that Neta and her husband had an umu ready for toonai but no such luck. So I had to make my own luck and bought an umu from the Fugalei market, some wahoo, mamoe and some koko samoa. My kind of lunch! When we left Samoa Neta didn't have any kids but not three years later, she has 2 kids with another on the way. The house at Lalovaea is looking very old & tired and should be repaired or demolished soon.

Amataga, me and Neta's son Kevin in the faletaavale

Alofa and her brother Amataga

Kaga Makangka on the stairs in Mama's house

Neta with her pepe fou

Neta's eldest son, Kevin

Happy Valentines Daddy

Maddy made this for you at school today :)

Power Goes Out

Due to the storms that hit Oklahoma a few days ago, we experienced very strong winds all day yesterday and last night. Our power went out around 8.30ish for a little while. Maddy and I were reading his book at the time and decided to take this video :) We are fine by the way!

Happy Birthday Aunty Mona

Wishing you a happy and joyful birthday :)

Miss you heaps, love Rach, Matt & Maddy xxx

Happy Birthday Uncle Lloyd

Lloyd is the big one standing next to Mum LOL

Happy 40th birthday bro, Love Us xox

Happy Birthday Cousin Micah!

Have fun on your birthday, eat lots of yummy goodies and hope you get lots of pressies too.

Love always, Uncle Matt, Aunty Rach and Cuzzie Maddy xox

My b'day muffin cake

So much for Maddy helping me out with my blueberry muffin cake LOL I had to do it all myself, but that's ok, I purchased a ready-to-make mixture that only needed water added LOL Yup, my kind of baking. We had no icing nor b'day candles but that's ok, we will make do with the sprinkles.

I spent the morning volunteering at Maddy's school library for an hour then cleaned up the house before Maddy got home from school around 12.45pm. We watched a movie together (Space Chimps) then I made the muffin cake. On Wednesday I get to spoil myself by getting my hair done (long overdue) and a spa treatment (manicure and pedicure). Thanks Daddy & Maddy :)

Thanks for the birthday wishes family and friends :o)

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Dear Mommy,

On your birthday, Maddy and I would like to:

Wish you a very happy birthday and. . .

Hope you have a great day and. . .

Thank you for putting up with us when we don't what we should and. . .

Promise you we'll try harder to help out more and. . .

Think you are the best mommy in the world and

Love you for always looking after and being there for us!

~Daddy and Maddy

Team Photos

Today we went to Thoreau Middle school for Maddy's basketball photos and individual ones too. I ordered one 5x7 and one 8x10 for our photo collection. I took a few of my own but they didn't turn out very well - I think I've buggered up the settings on the camera again LOL.

When we got home, we decided to take a walk up the road to the store to buy a few supplies. We stopped off at Office Depot to buy some poster paper and felt tip pens for Maddy's school project, bank some checks, visit the dollar store, and then we wondered over to Noodles Company for afternoon brunch.

Enjoying his favorite pasta dish - 'house marinara'

Maddy Bakes Cookies

School Closed Today

Due to the snow and ice storm yesterday and last night, all schools in VA and DC were closed today. Guess who was happy about that? Just as well because we both slept in today and when I woke up to check the news around 7.30am, notices were posted across the top of the tv screen announcing the closures.

It looked like the building manager had people shoveling snow off the footpath early this morning, as it was all cleared up. It's suppose to improve tommorrow (touchwood) and then I hear by Monday next week, we are expecting more storms. As long as the power doesn't go off, we are fine.

It's Finally Snowing

Snow fight with Daddy before he left for the airport

The snow was not deep enough for a snow angel

Farewell Dinner at Mango Mike's

This was our first time at Mango Mikes Caribbean Restaurant and what a lovely experience it was. It reminded me of dining out at Coconuts beach resort with it's palm trees, aquarium, sand, and exotic island menu as well as a relaxing atmosphere.

The Mango Island potions (drinks) were something to remember as well as the food selection which I must say was very tasty. Dom and Rosie tried the "puka puka" which consisted of coconut rum, myers, pineapple and mango juice, while Sakib and Kelly had pena colada's. I just stuck to my baileys irish coffee and cream LOL.

The kids enjoyed being seated in front of a big aquarium and while we sat and chatted and enjoyed our meals, when it ended, it was sad to say goodbye to Sakib, Kelly and Khalil. They are moving to Ecuador in March and will be there for at least 2 and 1/2 years.

Maddy with Mo Mo and Pichachu

Khalil, Nino and Maddy

Matt, Domenico, Sakib, Maddy, Rosie, Kelly, Nino and Khalil

Game #5

Inbounds the ball to Sammy who scores one for the team

Rebounds

Nearly makes a shot

Dribbles and hands it off to Sammy who scores another for the team

Defending (or eye-balling his opponent LOL) and Intercepts a pass

To Nanna and Papa

Mo Mo and Picachu

Madison brought home two classroom mascots, Mo Mo and Picachu on Friday to spend the week with us. He was also given a writing journal to take pictures and document things he does throughout the week with his special friends. This is all part of creative writing at home.

He's already had breakfast with his special friends and has taken them along to watch him play basketball as well. Tommorrow we will be taking them with us to dinner, to farewell Matt's friend Sakib and family, who are moving to Ecuador. Monday and Tuesday are teacher conference days, so Maddy, his friends and I will be seeing Daddy off at the airport Tuesday morning.

I'll post a copy of his journal once it's completed :)

Scrapbooking

Den activities are part of the Cub Scouts requirements and at tonights Tiger Den meeting, Maddy and his Daddy made a scrapbook page from photos we took at Seaworld in Orlando Florida a year ago. Matt said he put it together all by himself and was very proud of how it turned out.

Since Maddy likes doing arts and crafts, I might just get him to do a few more, especially of our trip to Rarotonga, Lagi and Tollys wedding, Grandma's visit last year, and a few about our weekend visits to several places around DC.

Maddy in Action - 3rd Game

Warming up before the game

Rebounding

Even though they lost this game, they played a good game overall especially on defence. We have more videos of Maddy in action but because the files are too large, they were taking too long to upload - will try to keep them shorter next time.