Conservatory Music School

In late March we enrolled our little man in a preschool percussion music class. Marley has a proclivity to rhythm and music and we just wanted to give him a structured class outside of home. I don't think the school really challenged the children as much as we'd like, but he loved going to this class, especially because he got to spend time with his buddy Cruz. It's all about the jam the togetherness. This gave him joy every Saturday morning. The session has now come to a close, but we will continue to play music with him and try an african music class....he actually asked to learn how to play the djembe. 

Peter Pan

Marley and Cruz attended a production of Peter Pan at the Pantanges Theater in LA. I think I was more excited for the boys to attend the show more than anything. Before the performance, the boys were chatting about the story of Peter Pan and playing out being lost boys and pirates..... We walk into the theater and just as I hand the usher our tickets, Marley freezes! His eyes grew big and he just shook his head, NO! I try to coax him into walking down the aisle but no Luck. The more I tried the more he threw a tantrum. He heard the murmur of the theater and the sea of people the backs of their heads, it was all too much. Marley grabbed my hand and pulled me so hard that I almost fell in my heels. I tried to hold him and he squirmed and ran off outside of the theater, I literally broke a sweat! The anxiety I had, because we invited his friend and his mother, I felt so horrible that we were not all sitting in our seats. I managed to talk him into sitting in the lobby and watching the show on the monitors. I had to remind myself this is not about me,  it's about his experience. But I wanted him to enjoy it !!!! LOL Anyways, I told him that everyone is going to leave the theater and it wasn't going to be scary and that we can go in and sit with our friends. And then maybe we can leave.....So we quickly went in and Marley said "Ok, Lets go now". I don't remember what I said, but the next thing I knew he was curled in my lap watching Kathy Rigsby at 60yrs old flying in the air. Watching the awe in his little face. Priceless. All of that work, convincing him that he would have a great time, and he did. The 2nd half of the show a SUCCESS. 

Cruz, pirate (cast) &  Marley

Cruz & Marley with lost boy & tiger lilly (Cast)

The Best Bell

Traveling across the country can be a daunting task and thought, but when you have your family together and when you are going to see extended family.....the trip is worth it all! Our destination: Durham, North Carolina for the wedding of our sweet cousin Amisha Best - Bell. She had a lovely wedding and we were so happy for her new chapter and the opportunity to catch up with Ahmed's dads side of the family. Marley got to meet his great Uncles, Aunts, Cousins and of course his grandparents. Family is so important to us and we wish that we could spend more time with everyone. But the time that we do have.........WE TREASURE every minute. FAMILY is LOVE.  

Marley

The Best

Ahmed, Marley, Mahmondyla, Babu, Khalid

Me,Steve, Ahmcd, Marley, Amisha

Marley and cousins Daniella & Brooklyn 

Babu & Marley

Marley's 4th Power Ranger Birthday Party!

Marley celebrated his 4th birthday on February 7, 2013. I have to say it was all his idea! He wanted the theme to be power rangers and everyone to dress up as their favorite super hero. We had a bouncy house, food, pizza, cake and music......It was awesome. Everyone we love showed up. We had old friends, new friends and neighbors. It was such a loving and fun Sunday afternoon, Marley still talks about it.

Mommy,Marley,Daddy & Olivia

Marley's 4th birthday Cake by Auntie Lynn

Marley's Cake

N, Halle, Marley

Marley's Dance Party

Museum Fun!!!!

Los Angeles offers so many things to do for families with children. This Presidents day we took advantage of one those great freebies! @The Autry Museum. It's a really nice museum located across from the LA Zoo. It introduces to the community the history of the Californian Western Frontier. Presidents day offered free admission for everyone and the kids got a chance to look at the western exhibits, native american exhibits, and also pan for (fools)gold.. It was also great place for Marley and his friends to meet for a play date. We were joined by his friend Tobias and Owen who visited L.A from Salt Lake City. He was one of Marley's best friends in preschool and they got a chance to reconnect after several months. It is such an honor to witness these experiences and new adventures with these children, memories they will have for a lifetime.

Marley panning for Gold

Marley & Tobias

Marley,Me, Tobia

Owen & Marley

Owen & Marley riding on the Green Screen

Marley in front of the Michael Jackson exhibit! MJ's western fashion. Marley's Idol. 

Winter Cali Day

One of the beautiful things about living in Los Angeles is that our winters are beautiful. We can go to an outdoor mall, listen to a children's band, pack a picnic and bump into old friends all in one hour.  I treasure all of my outings with my son. 

Marley, Carmit, her Nene