The Best Thing

The best thing we Santa could have done was give Jack a bike for Christmas.  Ever since getting his bike {with a bell and a basket} our family has become reacquainted with our long lost friend...the great outdoors.

Gosh, I've missed it.  The fresh air, the kids playing in the street, the exercise, socializing with my neighbors.  I didn't realize how that little routine in our lives had slowly gotten swept under the rug.  For years it was our ritual, wake up from naps, play outside.  But, something happened.  I can't exactly pin point when it did.  I do remember taking a little hiatus after Maggie was born.  But, then shortly after we picked right back up again.

I'm thinking we lost touch somewhere around Jack's puzzle obsession which migrated into a sticker book obsession.  {If my kid wasn't so cool, I might think he was a nerd} Good news is Santa sensed a nerd alert and put a shiny blue bike on his sleigh.  I like to consider Jack well rounded.

I'm not going to lie, "practicing" our bike skills with Jack is not always easy.  Remember, yes, he is wild, but he is also s..u..p..e..r cautious.  However, we are making progress and the fact that the big kids want to play with him is a giant plus in his book.  Some days I can hardly get him back inside.  It's really a win-win for all of us.  Maggie, somehow just loves being out there {I say "somehow" because it surprises me a bit with her girly girl self} and Cosby just hears the words "bike ride" and he's hovering at the door.

Yes, Santa was good to us this year.  It's nice to be back in touch with our friend, the outdoors.  If you have a boy, it's not wise to lose touch.   It's funny how the best things aren't really the things, it's what you get out of them.

This is how it usually starts.

And this is usually how it ends.  {yes, Jack is the little one with his helmet still on}

Maggie usually joins us with either a stroller full of friends or on her tri-cycle decked out in jewels.  Don't let this picture fool you...she loves it out there.  I just had to share it because look who is trailing behind her.  This bike thing is a whole family affair.

See this...

...and this are really how she feels about being outside...it's the best thing!

Just The Girls

A girls weekend always sounds so great.  Then the weekend sneaks up on you and you think,"I really don't have time for this", "How will my family survive without me?", or "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all".  But you pack anyway, because you don't want to be the poor sport and off you go.  And once you arrive, you immediately {and I mean immediately} realize..."Yes! This is great!" and, "Yes! I do have time for this!" and, "Yes!  I did need this!" and finally, "I'm sure my family is just fine".  That's how it went for me anyway this last weekend.

The timing couldn't have been any better or maybe worse.   Between construction coming out of my ears, preparing for a trip to Disney this month, life's little changes, and just coming off of the Christmas high, I was beginning to think this may not be such good timing.  But, when is it ever a good time to just pick up, leave your family, and actually relax?  Apparently this weekend.  Whether it was the best timing or the worst,  I needed it and loved every minute of it. {okay, maybe except the part about my girlfriends being morning people}

We seriously spent an entire weekend eating and shopping and only worrying about ourselves.  The latter being a true gift.  I love my kids dearly and I would be lying if I didn't say I missed them {or shopped for them 85% of the time}, but what a treat to not have to buckle anyone into the car,  or order a kid's meal and then cut it up, or change a dirty diaper.  Nope, none of that, just me and my best gals from high school and college.

And I have to give props to my husband, who braved the entire weekend alone, with Jack and Maggie, no family, no friends, and no sitters.  I came home to a clean house, everyone in one piece and fully fed {with 3 out 6 meals eaten out}.  I would have to say that is success for all.

Erin and I arrived first on Friday evening.  We were starving, so we checked into the hotel and then went out for sushi.  I would show you the picture our waiter so graciously took of the two of us, but it might scare you. Can I add exhausted to that starving?  So instead you get our awesome fortunes.  Mine is the top one....hmmm?

Like I said, we literally spent from sun up to sun down on Saturday shopping and eating.  This restaurant deserves noting.  It was on Stephanie's suggested "to dine at" list.  The food was great, but we must have spent 20 minutes in the parking lot driving around looking for it and in that 20 minutes I'm pretty sure we passed it 18 times.  We got a few laughs from the whole ordeal though.  Thanks Amy for doing the dirty work {driving in circles}.

These are well fed and well shopped ladies here and we kept on going...

We didn't spend Saturday evening bar hopping, no those days are long gone.  Instead we opted for a movie.  Have I ever mentioned how much I love a good movie and extra butter on my popcorn?  Mmmm!  Add great friends and a serious tear jerker and I would basically call it a perfect night for me.  We saw We Bought A Zoo.  Okay, am I the only one who didn't get the memo on this movie being so emotional and heart wrenching? I was completely caught off guard.  I have to give it two thumbs up though...great story!  Oh, and I must note the little concession stand guy said this was a first for him {taking a picture at the counter}.  Love it!

And I had to throw this in for Erin...one of those 'you had to be there moments'.

Girly

She couldn't any girlier if she tried...

And I am lovin' it!  Thank you Grammy and Grampa for the pink vacumm cleaner.  We love a housekeeper with a bow!

And every girly girl must look the part...absolutely beautiful my darling {and she knows it}!

Fish For Four

We went to the aquarium on Saturday.  Jack has been literally asking me for months if we could go.  However, something was always seeming to come up on our {not so} "Free Fridays".  When he asked again this weekend  I couldn't turn him down.

What?!?!?!  We didn't have something scheduled for our weekend {i.e. a birthday party, a sports game, a trip out of town}.  I'm not implying our social calender is brimming, please note those were all kid's activities.  This is what my 30 something year old weekends look like these days. {certainly no complaints here though}

So, with great hesitation we set out for one of the cities greatest attractions on a Saturday.  The plus to all of this was that Daddy was joining us.  He usually misses out on our around the town field trips so this was treat for all of us {at least I think it was for him}.  Well, believe it or not, the month of January must be the time to visit the aquarium, Saturday or not.  There were moments that we actually felt like we had the place to ourselves.  Maybe not the whole place, but certainly a few exhibits.  It was fantastic.  Seriously, my least crowded trip which = my best visit ever.  Awesome.

Maybe I should have titled this post "fish for five".  Batman joined us and believe me, he was a very active guest.

Maggie spent three-fourths of her visit right here in Daddy's arms.  Her staple "warm up" time was rather lengthy this visit.  I can't imagine if the place had actually been crowded.

However, Jack jumped right in to his visit and enjoyed it full throttle.  His first stop was the stingray and shark petting pond {this was a first for him}.  He's getting braver!

He and Batman enjoyed every minute and the fact that they could walk right up to the tanks without a crowd.  We would be making a lot more visits to the aquarium if we could guarantee this kind of set up.

Apparently, Jack is not the only fan of Batman.  The penguins were highly entertained by this action figure and in turn Jack entertained by their hilarious reactions.

And finally, Maggie decided to unpeal herself from Daddy's arms or the stroller and enjoy the view.  It was well worth the wait for her.  She adored the tropical fish {especially the "puhpel" ones}

That's a look of "I should have stood up a long time ago, this aquarium place is pretty neat after all".

Fish For Four! 

A Look Back: 2011

It's that time of year again...the new year, when I like to look back on the previous 12 months.  It's my moment to reflect in all that we have accomplished and how much my kids have changed in the past 365 days.  I usually spend the moments writing this post in complete shock and disbelief about disappearing chubby cheeks and growing hair.  This year proves no different.  Jack's baby face has pretty much morphed into a young boy.  And Maggie's once cropped little blonde sprigs are now a full grown bob.

But, more than physical changes, my kids have gone through so many mental ones.  Jack has become more independent which in turn has brought on a new emotional struggle with needing Mommy vs trying to be big.  And Mag's is still trying to leave my womb that has proven to be such a place of comfort for her.

So as I perused all of our photos from 2011, I found myself challenged to choose just one moment or event from each month that stood out to me.  We have had so many great memories from this past year.  Possibly one of my favorite years to date.  It takes a lot to say that, but between Jack and Maggie's relationship blossoming into an amazing brother sister duo to two mobile talking children, it's been an adventure.  And most of the time that adventure was a lot of fun.  We definitely hit some growing bumps on the way, but for the most part 2011 is right up there in my book.

I can only imagine what 2012 is going to bring.  Right now I know I can anticipate an addition {mostly referring to my house there},  getting Maggie potty trained, letting go of my first born as he heads off to Kindergarten {sniff sniff}, and many more growing up memories with my family.

Goodbye 2011 it's been fun!  I only hope 2012 brings as much joy our way.

January: One of my all time favorite pictures of Jack {I just wish it wasn't blurry}.  This was Jack's first sledding experience.  With a slight hill to the left of our house Jack was able to cruise down safely while still getting a nice rush.  This grin is awesome...pure excitement!  I hate that it's looking like we won't be having any sledding experiences this winter.  There's still hope though.

February:  We literally went from snow to sand in a matter of 30 days in 2011.  Our weekend trip to Florida to see family proved to be great weather to enjoy the sun and surf. {and you can't deny how hilarious this picture is when you take in Jack's antics in the background} What made this trip so special was that GG was visiting her condo that same week.  We got lots of grandparent loving between Grammy, Grampa, and GG...you never see us turn down grandparent time.

March:  Possibly one of my favorite memories of 2011.  My Mommy and Maggie weekend.  Clay had taken Jack to Florida, so Maggie and I stayed back for a girl's weekend.  It was magical.  We played in jewelry, shoes, took long walks, had picnics, and enjoyed the tub all alone.  I adore my baby girl, however we were definitely longing for Jack by Sunday evening.  The house was just a wee bit too quiet.

April: I'm pretty sure I am the most proud of the two birthday parties we threw in 2011.  Jack's dinosaur party was so fun to plan and I think it turned out pretty cute too.  But, this event is memorable for more than that...yes, that April weather almost got me big time.  With a total monsoon and tornado warnings the night before Jack's outdoor Dino party, this Mommy was in full panic mode.  Luckily, the storm settled and we had a fabulous dino-four celebration.  And most importantly, Jack adored this party.  He still talks about it to this day.

May:  Our little family of 4 took an impromptu Memorial Weekend vacation.  We learned a few things on that trip...naps must never be missed {for kids or Mommy} and sunshine wears kids out.  But, I did leave with some precious memories.  This being one of them--sweet Maggie {this was the midst of her sweet age, which had a long run} playing on the wave pool shore dumping water in and out of buckets, content as a clam.  And in front of her, imagine a wild Jack jumping waves up to his neck.  It was a "wear your boy out" kind of activity.  We like those.

June: You know I always have to pick this one for June...our annual 3 family beach trip to Rosemary.  I did love experiencing a vacation of this magnitude with my kids, however I have to admit, there were  many moments of less than desirable behavior from {ahem} one of my children.  I look back at it {because it's easier to look back and be rational} as one of those growing moments for him and me.  He and I both have matured so much from that week and I can only expect great things this next go around.  I have a feeling it will be the 2 year old giving me a run for my money this year. 

July: An ISR graduate!  We were so proud of Mags and all of her hard work.  This year we are off to perfect her swimming.

August:  Maggie started walking in February and it took us until August to get "walking" pictures to meet my standards.  After our regular photographer moved, I never thought we would find a replacement.  Three sessions later we finally did!  And I couldn't be happier with the pictures.  It was certainly worth the wait.

September:  I love getting together with friends and it's even more exciting with all of our kiddos in tow.  This year I had to laugh at this picture from the BBQ we hosted.  Look at my kids {this is an exact representation of what I dealt with in 2011}....Jack full of energy, yelling at the top of his lungs and Maggie sitting quietly longing for some personal space.  I must admit though, I for see a serious personality shift in store for 2012...hmmm?

October:  Beyond all that Halloween brings, my favorite part of October was carving this mummy pumpkin with Jack.  Maggie was there too, but only slightly engaged.  Jack was full hands on with lots of opinions about his mummies features.  I adored his oohing and gooing as he pulled the pumpkin guts out and Maggie's simultaneous giggles are still ringing in my ears.

November:  Maggie's petting farm goes down as one of my favorite birthday parties to plan and enjoy as well.  I feel some serious pressure from myself for this year's parties.  The professional pictures were icing on the cake.  I adore this one {and this moment from the party}.

December:  With all that the holiday season brought, my favorite memory is from my very own kitchen with my two bakers.  We spent an entire day in pj's and made a yummy mess all over the counters and all over the kid's faces.  And Santa seemed to like our cookies too!