ole mickey brothers

Reason #2,333,331 that brothers rock:
Playing "chaaaarge" like a bull into a towel with mustache disguises in their favorite matching mickey tshirts...  All fun and games until the older brother tries to get the younger brother to charge into the wall, which cracks up the younger brother into a giggle fit...of course.

equation

Beach on January 29 + 3:30pm = 70 degrees!

Light across the lake + big sheets of ice + squishy sand + friends who meet up last minute = (two giddy guys + happy mama) - sandy toes

flying funny

mickey goofs

These huggie little goofs in disguise as Mickey lovers/tourists!  Happy 91st Birthday Great Poppie!

KC doing his best Mickey impersonation on the right:

sailing away

Wish we were off sailing away ... instead of watching the ice melt...

dragon lions

The streets are clear and we were looking for something low key today. We found it in this over billed, somewhat dud event. The boys did like pretending to be lion dragons, coloring their birthday year symbol, and practicing with chop sticks. We waited for a very anti climactic parade that we sorta had to chase after... But the big dragon did actually bump into Aiden, which he was thrilled by, but gives you a good idea of how crowded it was...

love

TGIF - Love you!

slip

We were ready early so we played in the snow a little. Then boys were very excited to help brush off the car while it warmed up. Our neighborhood wasn't plowed at all. The hills were ice sheets and there was a truck and even a mini bus in a ditch! We slid back and forth to Aiden's school... Brrr, stay warm!

surprise

Woke up to the school calling to tell us about the two hour delay... Then once the sun emerged discovered this pretty blanket of snow - Not quite as pretty as the sandy beach! Sitting around eating snowman toast waiting for school to start... Nice relaxing back to school day.

bye bye beach

Snaps from our first quick visit to the beach at sunset... See ya next time beachie! Thanks for all the folks who made FL so fun!

three years

The annual beach photo with my boys may be harder to capture than last year and definitely harder than the year before...it's sorta a metaphor for the challenge of parenting two boys. (Note: I had no clue how easy I had it pregnant with one three year old). I've heard that you reach a point when it gets easy again, but by then will I even notice because they will have made me bolder and braver? I remember when taking infant Aiden shopping by myself seemed like a big undertaking. Now I get through the airport on my own with only carryons and two hyped up ragamuffins.... Both carrying their own bags, even KC with his beloved "baby backpack!" The flight that we took home from FL (both boys get a solid A this time and it could have been an A+ but KC wouldn't take a nap) will likely be KC's last as an airline approved "lap infant" since he turns two in about two and a half months. I think time flies quicker when you have a baby on your lap! Whatever it is that causes this flight of childhood to feel so fast, I'd like to press pause and look back on the last three short years... January on the beach in Florida:

Mr. Splish

Splash!

sailin snaps

Here are a few iPhone snaps from the perfect sail - huge thanks to Lulu and Scott! Aiden loved going up on the bow and KC loved popping up through the window to see him ;)

goofing

I have a bunch of poolin', beachin', and sailin' pics (most on my dad's nice camera), but in the meantime here are just some goofin' pictures. Thanks to Lulu's bin-o-fun! These boys love goofing around on the perfect sail too - great combo ;). Thanks to Scott and Lulu for taking us out! More later...

young at art 2

I feel like my pictures don't quite do justice to the awesome setup at this museum. The museum was part of the library and I wish all libraries were adjacent to cool museums. Aiden's said his favorite was the huge wave climbing structure. I think KC's favorite was the ball ramp or maybe the giant stencil and magnet tables. There was still more to check out when we headed out for lunch and KC's late nap.

young at art 1

This Young at Art museum made a rainy day more than worth it! I'd say it is the top Children's museum I've been to and close to the top of all museums. It was just so engaging and interesting since every exhibit was created by a different artist - so it was kid fun mixed with an interactive art installation. Does it get any better than that?! I took tons of pictures... So while I sort through them all, here is part one - from the Alice in Wonderland themed five and under area.