Sanity: Part 1

At the end of February we left our kids (for the first time ever) and went on a cruise to the Bahamas with our good friends the Pulleys.  Our cruise left out of Baltimore, which overall, was very convenient.  We literally parked our car and walked onto our boat.

 

We went to bed that night and it was winter and woke up to warm weather and a beautiful sunrise.  I spent every morning out on the balcony.

 

Our first two days were on the boat as we made our way to Florida.  We spent the time reading, playing games and eating ourselves silly.  It was lovely.

 

The onboard entertainment was great and we really enjoyed the comediens.  It was nice to get dressed up and not worry about sticky little hands.

 

A rainbow!

 

This is how I define a perfect vacation.

 

Our first stop was Cape Canaveral.  I know, so exotic!

 

Since we'd all been to Florida multiple times, we decided to do something a little different.  We rented a car and drove to a national park to hike.  Our fearless leader.

 

I've hiked a lot in Upstate NY, it was really neat to hike through an area with such different flora and fauna.

 

There were tons of orange trees on the side of the road and we pulled over to pick an orange.

 

At this point we realized that Deboarah was standing on an ant hill and was being swarmed.

 

Ah!  Ants!

 

Everywhere!

 

My fearless husband risked it all to go back and get us an orange.

 

My hero!

 

This picture gives the impression that we actually visited the Kennedy Space Center.  When we figured out that they recommend 4-6 hours to do the tour and we had barely two, we decided to forgo spending the $50 per ticket. 

 

Instead we met this handsome fellow on the side of the road.  He was big, and really that close.

 

This was a sign in the parking lot where we returned our car.

 

February: Kind of a Boring Month, Except That Bit at the End...

Sports Sampler class at the Y.  Lessons learned: (1) Adam is good at dribbling a soccer ball, not so with a basketball.  (2) Jane will suck her thumb and stare into space for about 60% of the class.  (3) The Y gives out pretty cool metals.

She does this with most small, roundish foods.  Ritz crackers, doughnut holes, Oreos; why bite when you can cram?  (Please don't judge me by the list of foods I just admitted that my 18 month-old eats.

Scott will not like that I haven't edited this for red-eye.  I'm blogging, okay?!  Be grateful for what you get.  This picture is meant to illustrate Paige's love of PB and my awesome camera skills as I catch a cracker mid-fall.

Morning Dora fix plus not fighting equals a pretty good morning.

It was at about this point that Scott and I left our kids with some good friends and boarded a ship for a week with some other good friends.  Post to follow.

January: The month wherein...

Jane's love of storytelling actually pays off.  She did an audio recording at Strong Museum about Christmas and won the drawing for a $100 gift certificate. 

I admit Scott is the favorite parent and relegate myself to photographer, cook and laundress.

Jane declares she would like a baby sister.  No, not the one she has!  This one.

Did I mention they love their Dad?

Paige follows the righteous path of Chipotle love.

We have to leave Chipotle when this starts:

I discover Paige actually is an easy baby.  As long as you give her exactly what she wants.

What will we learn in February?

Christmas 2011: Or How April's Blogging Skills Hit a New Low

I know, it's March.  I have no excuse.  But here you go.  Lovely Christmas Eve photo:

The stick horses (er, unicorn) that I handmade for Adam and Jane (with last minute help from my Mom).

Jane's gigantic doll house which was a hand-me-down from some very generous friends.  Notice the leotard over the fleece jammies?  Classic Jane.

My Mom came and spent an entire week with us.  It was lovely.  Enough time for Paige to warm up to her and for us to finish the entire "Pillars of the Earth" miniseries, neither of which are minor feats.

Maybe by next Christmas I will be caught up on my blogging.


Hahahahahahahahaha!

Jane's Birthday Questions

20 Birthday Questions: Jane 3/18/2012 (Age 3)

What is your favorite color? Pink

What is your favorite toy? Princesses

What is your favorite fruit? Oranges

What is your favorite TV show? Dora and the Crystal Kingdom

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Eggs

What is your favorite outfit? Rapunzel Princess Dress

What is your favorite game? Mouse Trap

What is your favorite snack? Fruit Snacks

What is your favorite animal? Horse

What is your favorite song? I Came to Earth with Power to Choose

What is your favorite book?  Princess Finding Book

What do you want for your birthday this year? More Princess Dolls

Who is your best friend? Nolan

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Ride the Rollercoasters

What is your favorite drink? Orange Juice

What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Angry Birds

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Eggs

What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Macaroni and Cheese

What do you want to be when you grow up? A Princess

Adam's 5th Birthday Questions

20 Birthday Questions: Adam 3/18/2012 (Age 5)

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is your favorite toy? Marble Tracks

What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon

What is your favorite TV show? Octonauts

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Progresso Soup with Crackers

What is your favorite outfit? Angry Birds t-shirt

What is your favorite game? Mouse Trap

What is your favorite snack? Nutrigrain Bar

What is your favorite animal? Elephant

What is your favorite song? I Want to be a Missionary

What is your favorite book?  I Wonder Why books

What do you want for your birthday this year? Big Angry Bird

Who is your best friend? Eli

What is your favorite thing to do outside? Sprinklers

What is your favorite drink? Lemonade

What is your favorite holiday? Halloween

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Angry Bird

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes

What do you want for dinner on your birthday? French Fries from Red Robin

What do you want to be when you grow up? A computer builder