Cousins & Friends (long overdue)

In January, as Jack would tell it, his friends Matthew and Andrew came to visit. Initially he referred to them as "him in the red shirt" and "that kid", but eventually, after many meals were eaten together, multiple Lego structures were built and destroyed, and one long, slightly confusing game of kickball was played, everyone was friends. Finally, after sorting through the dozens of photo's taken, here are a few worth remembering...

How could we...

have lived in Florida for so long and never been....

here?

Last weekend we decided on a visit to an historic attraction - GATORLAND!

I hope I never see these guys in my backyard! Just ducks thank you!

Kate had a fabulous time. Jack was extremely reluctant (as one should be around creatures that could eat you whole). About an hour into our visit he decided that all of the alligators were 'just pretend', and he perked up quite a bit. All things considered, he was the least impressed of the group. He also (Mom & Dad you'll get a kick out of this) complained loudly and more frequently than I did about how cold he was.... perhaps we could have picked a warmer weekend. The temps are all over the place. Who could know?(I suppose we could if we watched the weather, but hey they're usually wrong anyway)

We wrapped up at the playground. Kate, assuming the role normally played by her brother, was fearless. Jack, was more frozen - not just cold - frozen with indecision about the alligator statues that ringed the playground. He could not be convinced they were not real. I'm not sure he ever stepped foot on the play structure. Finally, vowing to come back on a warmer day and try again, we called it a day.

Peek-a-boo!

Rub A Dub Dub 3 Kids in the Tub

One of these kids is not like the other ones..... one is just a little bit bigger!

Happy Valentines Day!

This is how we spent the day - the kids played on "the beach" as they call it & Scott and I did chores. Well, Scott did chores. My job was watching the kids. It was hard, I sat in a chair on the dock and enjoyed the sunshine - I may have even broke a sweat I worked so hard. A few times I did have to retrieve Kate if she wandered too far in, or help Jack with his sandcastle. It was really a good chore day.

Then we ALL went on a Valentines date for Thai food. Surprisingly, we were not the only couple on a date with their kids, and, Jack & Kate were pretty well behaved. Jack refused to share his ice cream with Scott, but hey, who can blame him.

A fun day was had by all! We hope you all had a wonderful day.

I come in peace

How often do you hear that come out of a three year old's mouth? I must admit, I was quite surprised myself. In the chaos that surrounded us when he made that comment I had to stop and wonder what was going on in his head.

Then I remembered - Buzz Lightyear.

Buzz comes in Peace, and I guess that isn't a bad thing to teach a small boy. He sometimes arrives at preschool and announces to his friends "My Name is Buzz Lightyear and I COME IN PEACE" - volume escalating the entire way. Given that he articulates very well for a 3 year old, everyone within earshot typically understands exactly what he is saying.

Some of his other favorites;

THIS IS SERIOUS (funny thing, he knows exactly when he should use this one)

NOT TODAY ZURG (Kate is often unwittingly playing the role of Zurg)

THAT WASN'T FLYING, THAT WAS FALLING WITH STYLE(this as he catapults himself off of the living room couch)

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND (this I'm certain the neighbors are tired of hearing, hollered daily from the top of his playset)

SOMEBODY'S POISONED THE WATERHOLE (this yelled at no time in particular; maybe just when things seem a little too quite for his liking...)

Things were just a little bit tamer (and a tad less entertaining) when he was going through his love affair with Nemo. Buzz & Woody have certainly spiced things up a bit.

Jack scored a bunch of Buzz paraphernalia at his birthday party - he's been by Jack's side ever since...