JUMP!

*notice, ladies and gentlemen, the toesies have lift-off.

I didn't think it could possibly get more beautiful than this. The mornings here are absolutely glorious. Each morning, this is what I see when I look out my bedroom patio. It's incredible, really- and I absolutely don't take it for granted. I am always in awe when I watch the sun rise over the ocean. A new day.



However, a few nights ago, I was amazed when I looked out the window to the biggest, brightest moon I had ever seen. It was so bright, it honestly looked like the sun.... but in black and white. As a matter of fact, the photo I took below was actually taken in full color- though I realize it appears as though it were shot in black and white. It was a curious thing to see the moon blazing so bright above the ocean. And I was glad to be able to (sort of) capture it with my camera. The shot isn't perfect, but it was the best I could do to capture it in it's stunning natural beauty without using flash....

Visit from my mom...

I realize it's been a week since I posted! My mom came last Thursday and stayed until Tuesday. We had such a fun time. A few days were chilly, but for the most part the weather was nice and we got to hang out on the beach.



The girls making tracks in the sand...



Gracie hanging with grandma...



I love this picture because Alex's pose is so true to form. He's my BOY all right!

Miami

Mike had a presentation to give down at the University of Miami so the kids and I decided to hop in the car and join him.


We got there late afternoon and walked around and found a place to eat outdoors. We laughed because we chose to eat at Chili's. I mean, who does that? Goes down to Miami and then eats at typical ole Chili's? Answer- people with little kids. Mike reminded me, with little kids, our choices are limited. Turned out to be a good choice and I must say, we really had a fun time!



Back at the hotel, I had to find a way to make sure that I did not get interrupted during the "exciting presentation of The Bachelor." So, the kids lucked out and got to watch a movie on my laptop... and they thought they were in heaven.



The next morning while Mike had to work, the kids and I headed off to a fabulous outdoor place called Pinecrest Gardens. It was absolutely fabulous. It was like walking through a trail through the tropical rainforest, with Koi fish ponds and iguana's running around and lush vegetation. It was beautiful!





Not only were there marvelous walking paths and fish ponds, but there was a super fun splash pad that the kids had a blast playing in for an hour and half. The best part about it was that we had the entire place to ourselves.

After the splash park, we walked around and found a fun park for the to kids play at

The grounds were just beautiful and we were able to see so many exotic birds and wildlife along the way.

Random Picture Challenge

Four Little Men and Twins is hosting a Random picture challenge. The instructions are to go to your May picture folder and click on the 21st picture and upload it to your blog. Kinda random. And kinda fun.

Here is what I found when I clicked on May and chose the 21st picture. Why am I not surprised it was of Ariana?? (sorry other children of mine... I do know you exist, I swear).

This was Mother's Day of last year. We went out to the Arboretum (one of my very favorite places) and walked around. This picture brings back such good memories!

little girls and being the baby...

A few nights ago, I was sitting in the living room and was absolutely started by a blood-curdling scream from the bathroom. It was a shocking and terrifying sound and I knew immediately it was Grace.... "Mommy!! Mommy!!!!" I bolted up the stairs and tried to open the door- which I found to be locked. "Open the door! Open the door!!" She unlocked it, still screaming. As I opened the door, expecting to find her in a pool of blood- or something horrifying, or even worse- I instead discovered her clutching her bottom lip, crying her head off, jumping up and down with her eyes fixated in the mirror. "My tooth is loose! My tooth is loose!!"

Oh- heavens to Betsy- you would've truly thought the sky was falling!!

But, being that this was her very first loose tooth- I just held her close, chuckled and told her how exciting it was. After she calmed down, and let me convince her that it wasn't going to hurt- she really felt like she had conquered the earth. "I'm a big girl now, Mom!"

And I have to admit... my heart sank a bit- though I continued to smile and assure her that yes, she was, indeed- a big girl.

For some reason- this milestone affected me more than others. I'm not sure why. After all, it's just a tooth! But it seemed to signify so much more than that. Like the very last straw that tied her to her baby/toddler and preschool years. Now, just one tooth loose... but I know it won't be long- it will barely seem like I blinked an eye and she'll have a mouth full of permanent ("adult" gasp!) teeth that will seem much too old for my "little girls" mouth. But, after all, I will then be forced to finally admit that she really is no longer my little girl.

Oh, my... what the lose of one little baby tooth can do to a mother!!

So- fast forward 2 days. While brushing her teeth, out popped the tooth. As uneventful and painless as I had promised her. And, just as I had assured her- she did NOT swallow her tooth- which seemed to be her greatest fear.

Last night, she reminded me, yet again- "Mom! I'm a big girl, now! See?!?" And she struck a pose and I grabbed my camera. Forever immortalizing her very first "toothless smile."



Excuse me while I wipe a few tears... sniffle sniffle.

Well, in other news. At least I have this other little munchkin that I like to call my baby girl. My friend, Jena, reminded me the other day that I referred to her as "the baby" in my blog- which didn't strike me as the least bit out of place until I remembered that she is, after all, 2 years and 3 months old... a far cry from a real baby- but the closest thing I've got. So- she will remain, "the baby"- and considering her miniature stature- it might be for several years to come ;)

Speaking of "the baby" I found a pair of big blue eyes peeking at me from across the couch. It was a bit surprising- a tad bit creepy- and then mostly just funny. I laughed my head off (and, of course, grabbed my camera) to capture "the baby" in all her humor and glory... tucked in a laundry basket, of course. There is nothing this girl cannot make fun....

good morning and good night...

I can't decide which I prefer- a beautiful sunrise, or a gorgeous sunset. Well, I might have to say sunset because if I'm enjoying a sunset it means I haven't been woken up (too early). But we are on the east coast down here, and the water happens to face the east- and so sunrises it is for me each morning when I wake up, I am greeted by the masterpiece above.

However, lucky for me, I don't really have to choose.

I can simply walk (or drive) a mile over to my Dad's place and watch the sunset from my Grandparent's dock (my Dad's place is across the street from my Grandparent's, who live right on the Indalantic River).

Ahhh- heaven.

What is it about the sun rising and the sun setting that leaves me in awe... each time? I never get tired of it watching it. It's like God's special artistic creation for us to enjoy every single day. Always unique (depending on the clouds, the weather, the time of year), but ever present.

What a gift!

The other day as I was walking around on the beach while the kids played nearby, I saw these adorable little footprints. And for a moment thought, 'how cute! little feet!'...



and, it dawned on me, they belonged to really cute little feet that I've kissed many times over.



So, I grabbed my camera and started snapping away realizing that those footprints wouldn't stay tiny for long.

Whearas last year, Ariana took off down this beach running around with out a care- this year, it took her a couple days to gain the courage to place her toes in the sand and, finally, be free enough to run and play.

She's still not brave enough to venture into the water. So, she just watches from afar. But I consider that a very good thing.



Nevertheless, when the bigger kids are out of the water and building sand castles, she has plenty of company...

I am pretty sure there is nothing these kids would rather be doing than playing in the sand.

... unless it's jumping the pool!

my dad...

I've had a little bit of a strange relationship with my Dad lately. We are 99% the same as we've always been, but 1% on a different page, as of late. And, in all honesty, sometimes that 1% can feel like a BIG number. But regardless, he's my Dad. I love him so much. Always have and always will.

Sometimes we agree like 2 peas in a pod...



and, sometimes, well- we don't... (ha ha posting this picture is payback- nice face!)



But- all the time, I love him anyway.



And, so I agreed to let him take me kayaking today. All right, actually- it was my idea. He was kind enough to oblige. It was pretty fun. Not quite as fun as kayaking with Mike in St. Thomas and almost hitting an enormous sea turtle over the head with a paddle (by accident)- but almost as fun.

rewind 2 weeks...

Looking back, I'm a bit disappointed in myself that I did not post more entries (ANY entries) over the last 2 weeks of December. I mean, what was I thinking? I do, after all, intend to make my blog into annual books (using Blurb) for the kids... that is the whole reason I started this project. And, here in the last 2 weeks of December we had all these big events that I never even posted!... for the kids.

I would be totally reminisce to leave out Grace's very first piano recital. From the moment I learned I was 1st pregnant 7 years ago, part of my 'plans' (you know how us Mom's love to make those for our kids!) included that child learning to play piano. Well, "that child" is now 6 and started piano lessons this summer. I was beyond proud to see her up there- she relished the opportunity and her only disappointment was that she didn't get to go back up and play more songs.

So, Gracie girl... here's for you... and here's for the Blurb book.



Cute little curtsy...



Proud as can be!



posing for the student picture (53 students in all!)

And one last picture, that actually includes my SON- in case you forgot I had one- I know he gets totally jipped with face time on this blog. I swear, it's not intentional.

All right- off to go fishing. Or, I should say- to watch my Dad and nephew fish.... this oughta be interesting!

today...

Hmmm... what should we do today?



Play on the beach?



Or play on the beach...

Decisions, decisions.

All right- enough of that. I am sorry. Really, truly- I am. To all my friends back in, well- you know where you live. I know it's cold. I feel for you, I really do. And, trust me, we'll have PLENTY of winter left waiting for us upon our return. But, for now, I am enjoying shorts and sitting on the deck watching and listening to the waves crashing (see picture above for a visual) as I type this note.

I must make this short- after all- I've been telling my kids for the last 30 minutes, that we're about to leave for Papa's. (My Dad's place is a mile away). And yet, here I sit- typing away. So... quickly! A recap....

The last 2 days since I wrote have been good. Just the typical getting settled, big grocery shopping, the obligatory Wal-Mart stock-up trip. I'd go to Target, but it's over 30 minutes away. Even Wal-Mart is a 20 minute drive, the closest "big-box" store. It was cloudy, overcast, cooler (68) and windy yesterday. Yes, I know, pull out the violin. I am NOT complaining, just recapping the day. But we didn't spend a whole lot of time on the beach because it was SO windy! The kids ran around in the waves for an hour- good exercise. Mike had to work all day... yes, on New Years. Big demo in Boston next week so I think this will be much more of a vacation for the kids and I than for Mike. He's been locked in our (new) bedroom for the last 2 days working and prepping... but, hey- at least he's got a good view! ;)

Since it wasn't the best outdoor weather yesterday, instead we found other ways to entertain ourselves. Take, for example, the laughs we enjoyed over silly faces. Who would've thought that putting a glass up to your face could render such a grotesque, yet hilarious, "tiny" face!??



But, today is a new day. If you are prone to tiny bits of nice weather envy, skip the following sentence.... It is 74 and sunny - and just a gentle breeze. It is time for me to sign off. The natives are getting restless.... time to head to Papa's and then down to the beach.

Until later!!