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.

otter

zoo

The Palm Beach Zoo has become a tradition. It's the perfect size for both boys to wander all the loop trails. They have a fun show called Wild Things where they show off some cool birds and animals like a sloth. Aiden loved the blue macaw named Paris and flipped out when the guinea fowl ran back and forth. KC loved the birds flying overhead and especially the owl. KC seemed a bit spooked by the wandering birds you could feed and the otter that swam really close. He kept announcing that the otter was scarrrry, but would quickly accept that he was funny instead... I'll try to post video. KC skipped his regular morning nap, but after lunch eventually konked out in the ergo. (Those cuddles are getting less common, so I savor it).

bubbles

Having fun with bubbles at Lulu's! Grateful to have a family that makes everything so much fun ;)

da na

We are off swimming with sharks! Watch out! One of these guys likes to yell "let go me" repeatedly on airplanes. The other likes to find stray M&Ms on the floor and at least contemplate eating them. Ug! Not the easiest travel, but sharks sure do like to swim, so it is worth it. Thanks Lulu for the snaps below.

good list

Our little Mickey Mouse lover would definitely put this smiley guy at the top of the good list - he has a new stuffed Mickey and Minnie that are just the right size for dancing. They also get extra special sleepy cuddles.

KC can't stop gobbling peaches and tomato bisque. He wakes up, waddles into our room, and says "Good morning peaches!?"

Aiden and I have been reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. His overjoyed giddy excitement when Charlie found the golden ticket brought little tears to my eyes. He threw his head back with a squeal and declared "Charlie is so thankful - he needed the ticket and he is the best person to get it!". Although, we have a really old edition of the book and he studies the pencil drawings and says he "doesn't get them."

Renee and Jeremy are our new favorite children's singers. They have some cool covers on this A Little Love cd - perfect for little Valentines. KC loves to dance with his gallop move with arms jetted out behind him.

The Ball of Whacks was a popular Xmas present. Big kids and little kids love to play with the magnets to make new shapes. Aiden's fav is a big batch of space ships that can transform into diamonds.

post

Aiden's class took a field trip to the post office main distribution center. Lucky daddy got to go since KC was too little to go on the behind the scenes tour (where you even need closed toe shoes). A highlight for the kids was being weighed on the biggest scale imaginable. The eight kids in Aiden's group weighed in at 280 pounds. Going into the back of a postal truck (which they checked wasn't attached to an engine so they wouldn't get taken away to Timbuktu) was another fun time up until they pretended to shut them inside - Ah, not Aiden's kind of joke. The big bats and faux birds flying up overhead keep the birds from entering through the vents. They watched the super sorter machines - one of which is called Barney because it is purple - and talked about all the scanning machines.

winterground

After a foggy rainy morning (which we spent at the mall getting KC his new beloved Mickey and Minnie - more on those guys later), the sun broke through and it warmed up even more. We went to the epic Clemyjontri playground around here, along with half the county, parked in overflow parking and took one kid each. We played and darted between all of the structures on the 2 acres of equipment. The brothers would cross paths for a ride or slide together. Aiden's favorites were the rainbow racing stripes (where he would challenge anyone standing next to him to race him down the course) and the giant fire truck. It's a great spot to spend a warm winter afternoon.