Happy Memorial Day!

looking for shells

catching fish

happy beach boy

building a sandcastle together

enjoying lunch

we enjoyed watching the three amigos play nicely together from our chairs

sun goddesses :)

We had an awesome day at Siesta Key! We saw sting rays swimming and one was about 8ft across, just massive. It was quite a sight and didn't deter the kids from swimming one bit.  We saw a couple dolphins and some endangered birds called Snowy Pluthers. We will really miss this beautiful beach, so we are trying to get there as much as possible in the next few weeks.

we paid a visit to our friends in the neighborhood pond

this is the little one

Andy made a friend on a walk

Little Gymnasts

The girls got their participation medals today in gymnastics. Wednesday has been their favorite day of the week since they started gymnastics this past winter. They only have one more class :( They have both learned so much and have had a blast!

Little Sweeties

Upon my arrival home from Andrew's graduation, Andy  told me the microwave door was broken and not to use it. Fabulous, I thought, something is always breaking in the damn apartment. I didn't use it and I forgot about it anyway. When I picked the girls up from school later that day, there was no hi's, we missed yous, never go away agains, just the microwave is broken!! Gee, I am so glad I came home. Well, actually, I was happy to be home because I really missed them.

The girls went flying inside when we got home and threw their book bags on the floor and flung their shoes off in every direction and were too loud! Peyton went straight to the microwave opened the door and said ,"look what we made for you!" 

I peered in and saw the most adorable cupcakes ever.

Delicious!!

Apparently, they did miss me and planned what cupcakes they were going to make me the whole weekend! What a sweet ending to my day and the perfect homecoming gift a mom could want!

Andrew, The Graduate!

walking up to stage

Dad presented Andrew with his diploma :)

We are so proud of what Andrew has accomplished! I am so happy I was able to be there to watch him graduate!

the beautiful sunset from our porch

I love Vermont!

Eliza's New Do

Eliza came home from school and announced she was ready for a haircut and new style. We thought she could use a trim, but she had another idea. She wanted it short like her friend Emma's. Basically, an ear length bob. I tested my haircutting skills and she loved it!!! This is as short as I will ever go, but it was what she wanted. She does look pretty cute!!

The Word Of The Day

 Kai is now 20 months and definitely understands way more than he can say. I can ask him to do a variety of tasks and he does them no problem. Puts diapers in the trash, gets his shoes, sits down, goes to his chair at the table when it is time to eat, runs to the bath at bath time and the list goes on. His vocabulary, however, is lacking a bit, but showing improvement weekly.

Kai's words:

Mom, mama

Dad, dada

peepee--grabs his front

poopy--grabs his backside

hi 

Eliza---it sounds more like Lija and it refers to both girls

eye

ball

baba for his cup

And his word for this week is baby!! He has been dragging around the girls old baby doll all week.  He loves it! Here are some non staged photos of Kai and his baby from the last two days.

 taking baby for a ride

back to the toy chest you go baby

he got his baby and put it next to him and watched a little tv

so gentle with the baby

 maybe not, bang bang on babys head :)

Florida's Perks

There are some definite benefits to being a Florida resident, like getting awesome deals on Disney's theme parks and hotels. We took the kids Disney this past weekend in the 95 degree weather and had a great time.  We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge and loved it!!!! We want to move in. We could have skipped the parks and just stayed there the whole time. The girls loved meeting and seeing their favorite characters and Kai was an angel and took in all the sights around him. We visited Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Andy and I loved Epcot, but the kids were not as impressed. Here are some highlights from the weekend.

beautiful giraffe we could see from our room

Peyton posing at Epcot

They loved meeting Mulan in China

We wouldn't buy this for Eliza, so we took a picture instead.

The girls in Germany

Peyton made a friend

Lady and the Tramp topiaries

 For every country you visit you get to color another part of your mask. They loved this activity!

playing at Epcots playground

sunset over the savanna

Kai loved Pinocchio

Meeting Goofy after riding the Pirates of the Carribbean

enjoying a snack and watching something

the girls were sooo excited to meet these two!!

cruising on the big river boat

Kai loved this boat

Andy and the girls racing around