Spring Break: Week 2

Tackling the second week of our extended spring break.  This week was actually Eli's spring break, and we were home for the first two days of it.  We made sure to get out and enjoy springtime as the weather was just gorgeous.  Even a little hot....hot enough for water play.

The boys both love playing in water, so our make-shift water table....er....I mean, water tub...provided plenty of entertainment.  They were sweaty and soaked by the time they had had their fill.

We also made our way over to the Junior Museum once again.  This time Jude was old enough and aware enough to love seeing all of the animals.  He called them by name, made animal sounds, waved like crazy at each animal.  Before I knew it, three hours had passed, and it was time to head home for naps.

Those two days at home, between the outings, I had enough time to unpack, do laundry, and repack so that we could head down to the beach for the rest of the break.  We are lucky ducks to be able to escape to our piece of paradise....St. George Island.  

The beach is just GORGEOUS this time of year.  Cool breeze, but sunny and warm.  My dad just had the deck redone, so we kept the doors and windows open.  Both boys enjoyed the freedom to go in and out all day long. Jude's favorite game was to throw toys, spoons, ....anything really...off the deck and see where they would land. 

A dear friend of mine from high school....who I haven't seen in years happened to be in town, so she and her family joined us at the beach for part of the week.  It was wonderful having Meredith, her mom, Gail, and daughter, Zoe with us.  Eli and Jude adored Zoe and loved having a playmate.  The mommas stayed up wayyyy too late talking each night, but so glad they could come and that Meredith and I could catch up.  The kids wore themselves out on the beach each day...playing in the sand and surf, once they were brave enough to battle the chilly water and rough waves.  

We tried to treat ourselves to a sunset from the widow's walk on the roof one night.  Too bad the clouds and haze kept us from seeing anything too spectacular.  That didn't stop the kids from having a blast.  The wind was blowing and the kids were freeze dancing.  Love the joy on their faces and how carefree they were.  

The little bits definitely made the most of their beach time and looked forward to getting down in the sand to play each day.....if only it didn't take so long to get sunscreen on them all.  Thankfully, they are pretty good sports. 

The kids ate and slept like champs.  The beach always provides fabulous entertainment, but it also does an awesome job wearing kids out....and building big appetites.  I can remember, as a child, feeling ravenous as I came in from playing on the beach or swimming.

Once our friends left, we had a day on our own before Daddy was able to join us.  After naps, I took the boys on a walk down to the park and lighthouse for some more fun and adventure.

Eli got to stay up a little later than his brother, and we had fun....just the two of us.  

Too bad we didn't have this sunset the night we went up to the roof!

Waking up at the beach is always better.  Watching the waves, hearing them crash, enjoying a light breeze....a pretty great way to wake up.

The boys were glad to have their daddy to play with on the beach.  And I was glad to have my partner in crime to play with too.

There were fun times had all weekend long....including some creative circus tricks and epic Star Wars battles.  Too bad the week had to end, but we know that our busy beach season has just begun.

Extended Spring Break: Week 1

Yup.  I am going to be playing catch up FOREVER.  I have--no kidding--over 600 pictures from our last 3 or 4 weeks.  We have been busy and honestly enjoying ourselves.  Once we got back in town after traveling here and there for almost 2 weeks, it took a bit for me to feel back into a routine...with everything.  Finally settling in this week, and I'm hoping to find some rare moments to sit at the computer and share all that we have been doing.

I couldn't decide whether to do one incredibly long and epic post about it all, or break it up.  As you can tell from this title, I went with breaking it up. Did mention that I took over 600 pictures? 

So we will back up to the middle of March.  We had some family come down to visit Florida all the way from the bitter cold of Canada.  Their visit did not coincide with our spring break at school, but we went anyways...hence the extended spring break.

We spent nearly an entire week at Pap Pap and Lil's house (thanks for putting up with our crazy gang!), and we made the most of it. Overall, it was all about family time, but we definitely found a lot to do in that week.  We swam, swam and swam some more.

 

You had to watch this kid....he was always hanging out by the sliding glass door...if anyone opened it, he would make a beeline for the pool.

To make the most of the time we had with family, Eli had two sleepovers with his cousins.  Thanks for enjoying the little boy cuddles and tolerating his night terrors (they only happen when he's sleeping over!)

One of the main reasons for this trip is to watch some Blue Jay Spring Training games. Wouldn't you know that the day we took the boys, it was the hottest day yet? Didn't get to stay very long as Jude is not yet a baseball fan and is not so good at sitting still.

 

We did have fun waving frantically at our favorite bat boy, cousin Brock!  And Mommy loved the close ups of her favorite player, J.P. Arencibia.  He's an awesome player...even got a home run....and he just so happens to be easy on the eyes as well. 

We had a beach day at Honeymoon Island.  The sun was shining, the place was packed, but the boys had fun digging and splashing, as always.

To get the boys out of the house one morning, I took them up to a local park to play.  Jude loves a good park...keeps Mommy on her toes, and Eli enjoys making new friends and exploring all the climbing structures.

Of course, Jude found the water fountain.  I don't think I've mentioned his obsession with them on here before, but the boy loves water fountains!  He has even made up his own word/sound for them.  Hilarious.

Another morning, we took the boys to the most amazing splash park.  It is incredible.....and FREE!!  It is run by the city and absolutely awesome.  The boys had a ball, to say the least.  We will definitely be going again on future visits to Pap Pap's.

As usual, we ate lots of yummy food and even went out for a special birthday dinner for Aunt Debbie. 

Uncle "Digger" let Jude take a swipe or two of the cake and the kid was in heaven.  He ate way more of Aunt Debbie's birthday cake than his own.

As usual, Aunt Ann and I slipped away for some QT and pedicures. Gotta have my girl time with one of my favorite girls....who just happens to by my SIL.

Jude and Eli both had an amazing week filled with many memories.  Jude adored all of the extra attention, play mates, and doting loved ones.

Eli soaked everything up and has memories that will last forever.  He loves family time and all the perks and treats that go along with it...including his first ice cream truck experience.

Definitely a week for the books.  It was an incredible time for all of us.  So glad that we were able to get down there and spend so much time with family.

The week ended on a high note when we found out that the Canadians' home town had made the finals for Kraft Hockeyville....which they later went on to win it all!  Go Stirling!  Can't wait to see everyone again this summer for multiple family weddings.  Love you all! 

Hectic, but Good

So much going on and so little free time.  Guess I should start getting used to it as there are signs of Jude dropping his morning nap.  This morning time has consistently been my most productive time and my "me" time.  Fingers crossed I can get him to keep it until Eli is out of school for the summer.

 

It has been a little more hectic than usual around here.  A week and a half ago, my mommy celebrated her Sweet 16th birthday.  She's a Leap Year baby and finally had her 16th birthday!  We did it up with a yummy shrimp dinner and TCBY birthday cake, but unfortunately, Matt was stricken by appendicitis that same evening.  It was a long night in the ER for him while I stayed home with the sleeping boys. It was a crazy couple of days that seemed to last an eternity, but after a weekend of laying low, he recovered well and was back at work on Monday.

Matt's recovery and a strong storm system kept us from entering our award winning chili this year at the SGI Chili Cookoff. (We can finally call our recipe "award winning" as Matt won Best 5 Alarm Chili at the local Bar Association Chili Cookoff earlier this year!!).....though I heard it didn't rain at all.  Oh well.  Next year!

The boys and I have been staying busy, as usual! Our after school calendar has been filled with play dates, park visits, lunch outings, errands, and tutoring....lots and lots of tutoring. 

After a week or so of feeling scattered and just barely scraping by, I've been feeling a little more like Super Mom. Not that plenty of moms don't do this all of the time...and I definitely don't need any praise...but with Matt's surgery and recovery, busy work schedule, and an out-of-town conference, I've managed to keep the boys fed, cleaned, busy, and all around, pretty happy.  Again, not a feat for many, but it definitely gives me the feeling that: I did it! 

This is a busy month for us with more adventures to have and memories to make.  Looking forward to every hectic minute of it. 

Does it Really Work?

**A teething necklace update**

I was definitely a skeptical customer when I decided to try the Baltic amber teething necklace, but I was at a loss for what else to try.  Since it has arrived, Jude has cut one tooth, and I didn't even know it was happening.  

Score:  Necklace 1 - Tylenol 0

And since it has become a regular (...and super cute) accessory, Jude has been sleeping through the night better and a little later in the mornings.  

Score:  Necklace 2 - Tylenol 0

Now, could it all just be a coincidence?  Sure.  But come on.  He cut a tooth, and I didn't even know it!  This boy is not good at cutting teeth!  I'll take it, whatever it is.

Rating (so far...): 1 thumbs up 

Stay tuned for more results as finger chewing has picked up again.  Another tooth may be on its way.