Spring Cleaning

Okay, so I realize the official first day of Spring is not for another 2 and half weeks, but it's never too early to get started, right?. My first item on my list was...the blog. I figured it needed a little sprucing up for a new season. I wish I could claim that my computer savvy self did it, but unfortunately I can't. I actually found a great website through a friend of a friend that does it for you--loudmouthlogos.blogspot.com. You choose from their 10 blog designs and then personalize it from there! They were awesome and answered my million questions before we got started. Once it was complete I had another few questions and then WAH LAH...here it is! So, what do yo think? I would love your thoughts.
My next item on my spring cleaning list is my closet. I try to complete this task after the end of each season...out with the old and in with the new! Although, I'm not really looking forward it. (Except for the "in with the new" part!)

Destination: Costa Rica

We are back after a wonderful 5 days in Costa Rica. And boy, does it feel good to be home ( to Jack, that is!). Clay and I both had a fabulous time despite his bum foot (yes, Clay tore ligaments in his foot and ankle on Sunday before we left) and my horrific sinus infection which gave me a piercing headache. But, one trip to the farmacia for meds and one large black boot for Clay's injury saved the vacation. Most of the trip involved wedding festivities since we were down there for a destination wedding after all. However, we were able to squeeze in a little tourist time too. Which included...lounging at the pool, a trip by foot into town, a zip line tour, an estuary boat tour, dinner at a very authentic Costa Rican restaurant, and a day of golf. I also read 230 pages of a great book, Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. If you are looking for a good book--this is the one although, I've still got another 230 pages to go. I'm hoping I can find time to finish it here at home, I am so hooked. We arrived home well rested and sporting some very nice tan lines. It was great to get away with the one I love and even more great to come home to the other one we love. I don't think we've ever missed that little guy more than we did this trip...it's getting harder and harder to leave our sweet Jack. Here are a few highlights of our trip down south...just imagine 90 degree weather and a perfect breeze to cool you off...heaven!

Our Bed and Breakfast, Villa Allegre. Breakfast was served at 8:30 am every morning...ugh! But, it was so worth it...yum! The best breakfast in town, so we heard.

The view from the back of our Bed and Breakfast...just missed the sunset...darn!

We took the Zip Line tour of the "Canopy". I really didn't know what I had in store for me until they started harnessing us up and put helmets on our heads. We were in for quite a ride.

Here comes Clay...black 10lb boot and all! Okay, maybe not 10lbs, but I'm sure it felt that way after holding it up for 7 zip lines. Clay was such a trooper the entire trip--I'm telling you his foot is not a pretty sight.

Here I come! I actually had a great time and neither of us really got too nervous. However, my abs were very sore for the remainder of the trip. What a work out!

On our way to the Rehearsal Dinner and just missed the sunset AGAIN!

On Saturday, we took a Estuary boat tour before the wedding . Clay had to get a piggy back ride to the boat from the captain. We were trying to keep his wrapped foot dry.

The boat tour was great until we actually got into the Estuary, then I must admit it got slightly boooring. You can only look at so many birds and crocs going 8 mph before you get a little antsy. In that short trip to the overhang of the Estuary, my shins got fried...that is some powerful sun down there.

Our first croc sighting was pretty exciting. However, after we hung around it for about 10 min in a still boat while tourists snapped a gazillion pictures, Clay and I were both ready to get moving.

Back on shore...how do you like our boat? Nothing like an authentic Costa Rican sea vessel!

I HEART Playdates...but, Not Today

Jack and I hosted our 2nd annual Valentine's Playdate today. There were only two requirements for attendance--(1) wear pink or red and (2) bring a red or Valentine themed snack to share. Jack and I decorated the playroom with red heart garland, adorned our door with sweet red glittery hearts, and prepared goodie bags filled with lovely treats. Before everyone arrived, Jack and I talked about all of our friends who were coming to play, all of the sweet yummies we would eat, and how we were going to treat everyone with love. It was going to be a happy time, Jack and I were going to have fun. We had been looking forward to this for 2 weeks, but somehow nothing went as I planned. And when I say "nothing", I mean "nothing" with Jack's behavior.

He whined...a lot. He cried when his friends played with his toys. He threw a full out temper tantrum right on the kitchen floor when he couldn't have a cupcake before lunch. He screamed when a younger playmate borrowed his high chair. He chanted, "mine, mine" when anyone so much as looked at what he was playing with. His favorite answer to anything I asked was an emphatic, "no". He was DIFFICULT with a capital D, and that is putting it nicely. He visited time out once and we had a nice "talk" twice. Nothing really worked.

His behavior was flat out embarrassing. I just don't know why he chose to act this way. And actually, now that I'm really thinking about it, he has been a challenge for about a week now, but today was the cherry on top. Why? Is it the age, are we starting terrible 2's early? Maybe he is getting his 2 year molars? (I've been suspicious of that one for the entire week) Was he hungry or overtired? Is he getting an ear infection or cold? (last playdate we hosted I found out the next day his behavior was due to a severe double ear infection and cold) Possibly overstimulated?, it was noisy and very busy this morning (and he has been known to get that way before in an over actice enviornment). Or maybe, a combination of everything? I really wish I knew the answer. I certainly can't solve the problem if I don't know what it was. This morning was just plain HARD!

I do believe, and truly hope, that the other 8 kiddos had a great time. And I'm sure the Mommies enjoyed conversation over Jack's rants. But, I was really looking forward to catching up with my friends and giving Jack the opportunity to play with all of his buddies that he endlessly gabs about. I had so much to talk to everyone about, however I couldn't even complete a sentence before I had to go referee my Valentine villain. I feel like I left several conversations hanging and didn't even have the chance to start some...ugh! I can't stand that! Not to mention I had to pawn my camera off to someone else--there was no way I was going to be able to hide behind a camera lens today.

Once the crowd left and the goodie bags were gone, I took Jack straight up for his nap. I gently reminded him that "he needed some sleep". He didn't argue, not even for a second. I layed him in his crib and before I could close the door and whisper, "you will always be my Valentine", he was off in dreamland. As I closed the door, I thought to myself...you know, this is what love is really about, what Valentine's is really about. No matter how wonderful or in this case, how hard the day is...I still love him beyond words. And no temper tantrum, whine marathon, or selfish mood will ever change that. Unfortunately, some days playdates are just harder than others!

p.s. we will be going to bed EARLY tonight--both of us!

Note the only two pictures Jack is happy in--he has food! He finally got that cupcake ;)

Under The Big Top

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than Under the Big Top with the two boys I love most in the world...

We went on the floor before the show started to see the performers and animals up close. "Look Mommy, an elephant." The elephants were by far Jack's favorite!

This poor clown had to get behind us for the picture...Jack wasn't too sure what to think of him up close.

Jack is clinging on to Daddy for dear life..."please don't leave me here with this Circus crew".

Time for the show. Without even planning it, we got seats right next to the Miccas and the Witters. We all bought our tickets at the door and somehow ended up right next to one another. We couldn't have planned it if we had tried!

Jack's favorite act of the day! Once we got to our seats, Jack was in awe of the show. He LOVED it! He definitely preferred the view from his seat as opposed to up close on the Circus floor.

We followed our Circus morning with a long and well needed nap. I don't know who was more tired by the end of the show, Jack or Clay and I. Valentine's evening was topped off with a very unromantic dinner at a local deli. Clay and I decided to make this a "Jack Day" since we are off to Costa Rica next week. After all, Jack is the love of our lives...who better to spend 'love day' with!

Sundays With Jack

Let me begin by setting the scene for you...


10:00 am Mass. A beautiful cathedral that is filled from pew to pew. Jack dressed in his Sunday best--button up, sweater vest, and cords. A quiet peaceful congregation. The Cibula's are front row, to the right of the pulpit facing in where everyone can see and, more importantly, hear us.






And now we will begin with a few of Jack's antics...

• trying to climb on and over the pews
  
• chanting "no..., hmmm....no,....no" as he inspects the contents of his snack cup and removes any and everything in there that he doesn't like and subtly throws it on the floor


• using his outside voice to tell me he is "all done" with his juice


• using his outside voice, once again, to announce "bye bye chuwch" over and over again, while waving at the pulpit during the Priests homily (sermon)


• digging in with two hands to grab a piece of communion bread--this one almost gave the Eucharistic Minister (the guy handing out the communion) a heart attack


• waving and chanting, with his outside voice once again, "hi" as every parishioner walked by after receiving their communion

So, what did we do? Naturally, we threatened him with the nursery. "Jack do you want to go to the nursery and play with the children?' And what did we get, a very exaggerated, "shhhh (with his finger pressed to his lips) chuwch", "sit sit sit Mommy Daddy". Which translates as, "Ill be quiet in church, I want to sit with Mommy and Daddy'.

Hmm...what to do? I know, the obvious answer is to put him in the nursery. But, when we joined our new church, I just couldn't stand to put him in the there. We had a new house, he was in a new school (twice), and then a new church nursery on top of all that. Plus there is always that one sick kid in there...ugh! Oh well, hind sight is 20/20. It looks like we (I) have created an anti-nursery toddler that is going to be sitting next to me in the pew for many years to come.

The upside is our Monsignor prefers for the children to attend Mass over being in the nursery. His theory is memories of being in church with family will bring them back to the church when they get older...hopefully true. And every Sunday when we leave, people always come up to us and tell us how funny Jack was or how cute he is. Meanwhile, Clay and I are holding our heads down and trying to swoop Jack out before anyone recognizes us. All I know is Sundays with Jack are often the looongest hour of my week. Though, I must admit, this last week I couldn't help but laugh at a few of his antics:)...we've definitely have got a "show man" on our hands, as Daddy often calls him.

Donuts On The "Other Side"

I always wondered what the "other side" was like...the "other side" of the classroom that is. Being a K-1 teacher for 7 years I did a lot of planning. Planning classroom parties, meet and greets, open houses, and endless parent-kiddo events. I know what it was like on my end as the teacher. I wanted everything perfect, I wanted the students to be on their best behavior, and I wanted the parents to feel comfortable in our classroom, after all it was as much ours as it was theirs. But, I always wondered what it was like to be on the "other side". What was it like to be the parent coming to school instead of the teacher?

For the first time in my life, I got to see the "other side". Clay and I were the parents this morning at Jack's pre-school for Donuts With the Ones You Love. When we got the invite last week, I was ecstatic. Definitely more so than Clay or Jack. But for me, this is what I've always wanted to do, be a Mom. And not just any Mom, an involved Mom. This was my chance to see the "other side" of the classroom and this time NOT as the teacher. And I'm happy to say it was a delicious morning.

9:10 we arrived at school. This is 20 minutes earlier than usual. On top of that, the entire family had to be dressed and Jack needed about 3 extra layers since he was suppose to wear his short sleeved Spirit Day tee (which could not get any greener...yuck!). Some how we did it. Jack strolled into his classroom, just as he does every Friday morning, but this time Mommy and Daddy were right on his heels. A curious Jack headed to his seat and the donuts were served. I don't know which part Jack thought was better, Mommy and Daddy standing in his classroom or the giant donut covered with icing and red and pink sprinkles sitting in front of him. I wasn't too keen on the extra sugar, considering this was his first donut and all. One step at a time on the sugar ladder, please! However, I wasn't going to be the Mom hovering over the trash can scraping icing and sprinkles off of my tot's donut. Don't think it didn't cross my mind though.

After donuts, conversation, and lots of pictures (yes, I was "that Mom", but I must note, I was NOT the only one), Jack wanted to show off some of his classroom toys. He repeatedly chanted, "Mommy play, Daddy play" with a giant grin on his face. Loved it!...I will wallow in these moments were Jack actually wants us at school. I know too well how fleeting these times are.

We left our little sugar-high toddler promptly at 9:45 and let him begin his day. I knew to leave right on time from my days of being on the "other side"...the lingering parents use to drive me nuts! A few tears ensued, but by the time we had rounded the hallway corner Jack was off to playing again.

So there it is, my first morning on the "other side". My first morning of being the Mommy at school and not the teacher. It was just how I imagined it...minus the sugar...and the tears. But all in all it was perfect, and I've decided I'm going to stay on this side for a while!

Hmm...I've never seen one of these before. If Mommy hasn't given it to me, it must be pretty good.

Jack, Mommy, & Daddy at Donuts With The Ones You Love. (there goes that bang again) Will we ever get a decent family picture that is not taken by a professional?

Jack ate ALL of the icing and sprinkles off of his donut and left most of the dough. He then asked for "moh donuh". I explained that you have donut left on your plate. He said, "no" and shook his head. I then figured out his idea of a donut was, unfortunately,... icing and sprinkles.

Jack showed off almost EVERY toy in his classroom while chanting, "Mommy play, Daddy play".

Florida, Family, Fun, and 40

We had great time in Florida this past weekend. It was Busy with a capital "B"! Such a short trip with so much to do.

Friday was the flight down which was right during Jack's nap time...guess who scheduled that? And do you think that terrific toddler slept...not on your life! He was too busy waving at all of the "apanes" and chanting "up, up, up". He was thrilled when the flight attendant gave him his own set of captain's wings. He constantly referred to it as his "apane" and constantly had it gripped in his left hand.

Saturday was the busiest of all days. It included a visit to the zoo, meeting my high school friend, Amy's, new sweet bundle of joy, and the big 40th birthday party for Clay's brother, Matt. I'm telling you it did not stop from Saturday am to, well, Sunday am.

And then on Sunday we visited with Uncle Mike, cousins Whit and Larkin, and my Uncle Jim before we headed back to the airport for departure. And guess what time the flight was scheduled for?...if you guessed at Jack's nap time, you are right. However, this time he did actually doze off. Unfortunately, it was approximately 10 minutes before landing...go figure!

Needless to say, we brought home a VERY tired tot and have spent the past two days trying to get him rerested (is that even a word?).

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend...I actually took 71, but I will spare you.

The Saturday Zoo Trip

Meeting Sweet Caroline for the 1st time!

Jack's favorite part of the trip--reading with Grammy!

The Main Event--Matt's 40th Birthday Party!