urban dweller profile: meet rebeccah, michael, matthew, and ellie

I met Rebeccah and her son Matthew in a program called Mothering Together in Canton when our boys were just a few months old. She, Matthew and her husband, Michael, were living in Canton at the time. Since then, they’ve added an adorable daughter to their clan and have moved to Homeland. My son Asher and I met up with them at their Homeland house for a play date and to learn more about family life in their Baltimore neighborhood!

Homeland is located in the northern part of Baltimore City bounded (generally) by Homeland Avenue on the south, Charles Street on the West, Melrose Avenue on the north and Bellona Avenue and York Road on the east. It is a picturesque planned urban neighborhood surrounded by lakes, common areas, and grand historic homes.

Can you tell me what brought you to Baltimore?
While I was born and raised in England, my husband and I went to high school together (where we met) in Orlando, Florida. We went on to different colleges but remained a couple and moved in together after graduation. Michael began medical school at Johns Hopkins and has remained here for his PhD and residency. We love it! We spent 8 years in Canton and moved to Homeland when we were expecting our second child.

What are your favorite spaces in your home for family time?
We have lots of favorite spaces in our home and tend to spend a lot of time all over our house. One of Matthew’s favorite things to do is to cook and he loves cracking eggs, mixing, cooking, baking and playing in the sink (cleaning dishes) afterwards. We spend a great deal of time in our sun room which is right off of the family room and where a lot of the children’s toys are. Matthew has a great imagination and I love listening to him playing with his cars going on all sorts of wild adventures. Additionally, we play in the kid’s bedrooms which house a few of their toys and the basement, another large play area with Matthew’s train table, arts and crafts and other things. He loves to play hide and seek down there and, recently, Matthew and Ellie race around on their ride-on toys together (Ellie with my assistance.)

Probably the reason we bought this house was because of our beautiful garden at the back of the house. Matthew could spend all day out there in the nicer weather but is equally happy to put his wellies on and splash in the puddles, be pulled around the garden on his sled in the snow and ride his scooter in the lane out back in the cold. He also loves his little personal garden area where he grows vegetables in the warmer months. Ellie is going to get her own little “garden” this spring, too.

What neighborhood activities and events do you participate in?
Homeland is a neighborhood for families and they have many family-friendly activities throughout the year. In the summer, they host a neighbors’ day out with music and food, an outdoor movie night with popcorn for the children, Halloween at the Lakes where all the children get treats and then parade around the lakes in their costumes, Christmas Eve where the neighborhood children sing carols and Santa comes to visit. However, our favorite thing to do is walk to the lakes most afternoons and visit and feed the ducks. We also love to walk to Belvedere Square on summer Friday nights for the free concerts.

What other things do you enjoy doing in Baltimore?
Matthew attends Grace Preschool here in Homeland three mornings a week. My daughter and I love dancing and singing in our Music Together class. Matthew loves anything active so loves soccer, gym class and we’re beginning T-ball in the spring. I don’t know who’s more excited, Matthew or my husband. He also has loved art class when we’ve been, too. We love that we’re still close to the zoo, Science Center and lots of different playgrounds, too.

Author Description

heather, chris cooke realty

Heather is a realtor at Re/Max Sails The Chris Cooke Team -- the perfect place to blend together her ideas of design along with the needs of her clients. She has a background in finance and previously worked as a mortgage lender and accountant for Erickson Retirement Communities. Her passion is reflected in her sincere approach to working relationships, her commitment to her job and her optimism reaching her clients goals . Heather is a native to Baltimore currently residing in Patterson Park where she is extremely active in the community.