Distractions

I keep typing and deleting the events of my very long week...it's not that interesting and the bottom line is that I'm glad it's OVER! Ross started cutting his 2 year molars about 2 weeks ago and if you're a parent you know how miserable teething can be for everyone. His amazing sleep habits were thrown out the window and we are trying to recover from long nights, short naps and his overall grumpiness. Mix that in with the oncoming "Terrible Twos" and it's just been a rough week.

All week I've been searching for fun distractions to keep us busy. Finding the same activity for an almost 2 year old and a 4 year old is very difficult. Bridget wants to do a puzzle...forget about it-Ross will destroy it. B wants to color...Ross lasts about 3 minutes before he's scribbling the floor. B wants to watch a movie...Ross has zero interest in TV (really...is this my kid??) B picks up just about any toy...Ross wants to snatch it right out of her hand. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

But at the end of the day the frustration really does fade awaymas we're reading bedtime stories, kissing goodnight for the 100th time and listening to Ross say all sorts of fun new words and phrases.

A few fun distractions that did work well for both kids...

Couldn't ask for better park weather

Early morning art class

Me: "That's so pretty, Bridget! What is it?"

B: "It's me and Jody at the park, silly!"

Picnic lunch on the lanai

Painting bird houses...

Next week WILL be better!

S'mores and Soccer

Over the past few days we've gone from being bundled up roasting s'mores poolside...and then in the next day or two we are playing soccer and hitting t-balls in t-shirts and shorts. A Florida winter at its best.

S'mores round the fire went much better this year than last year. Both kids roasted their marshmallows without getting too dangerously close to the fire and then to no one's surprise they scarfed down every sticky bite of their s'more. The cold front that came through on Saturday felt great and it was a nice change to be bundled up in extra layers. It's not sledding and building snowmen, but it's about as close to a winter wonderland as we'll get down here!

The anticipation leading up to Saturday nights game may have been better than the actual game-well for me anyway:) The Patriots won and we're hoping they make it all the way this year, but we had a ball watching Tebow finally get his chance in the NFL this season!

Todd took Bridget into the preserve behind our house to find the perfect sticks for the marshmallows.

Yum....

The cold weather gradually warmed up and this week we're back in Florida mode. Outside playtime is an afternoon event and we're still enjoying some of those new Christmas toys.

Play-Doh. I have a love/hate relationship with it. Always entertaining. Always a mess.

As soon as he sees the camera I get the "cheeeeese" face!

I LOVE this picture and I know that I'll think of this one often as I watch him grow up. He's still a baby, but looking so grown up here. Hard to believe he won't be this size forever!

It's no surprise to anyone that Bridget can whack the ball across the yard almost every time!

Bridget is thrilled to be starting soccer in a few weeks. We bought a new girly ball this week and she wants to practice all the time. We know she'll do great and can't wait to watch her play with the other kids!

Hello, 2012

A bit late for a "Happy New Year" post, but that's only because we have been enjoying some quiet, lazy, do-nothing days. Christmas exhausted me as I went above and beyond with the holiday cheer. Like most moms, I try to fit it ALL in and sometimes ALL is just too much. One of my resolutions for 2012 is to not try and take on quite as many tasks. As much I want to do it ALL, for my own sanity, I need to learn to say 'No' every once in awhile. That way there can be more afternoons like this one we had last week (twice)...

Chilly day, hot chocolate and our current favorite movie, Tangled.

Bridget's school break lingered through last week and we enjoyed (nearly) every second of it at home. No errands, no after Christmas sales, no dance class, no school...simply wonderful and what a refreshing way to start the new year!

New hats from Jody and hooray for our first real cold front!

Playing, playing and more playing!

Ross desperately needed a haircut, so we did venture out for that. His first trim back in August didn't go do well, so I'd been avoiding it. He proved me wrong and sat there like a little statue watching every snip of his hair.

His dashing new look and a well deserved lollipop!

We are back on our regular routine this week, but will definitely be remembering to take some extra time this year to slow down, relax and just do nothing every once is awhile!

Christmas Magic

What can I say about our Christmas this year that you probably can't guess for yourself? The kids are 4 and almost 2 and it couldn't have been more exciting and magical for them. They got way too many toys, ate way too many sweets, stayed up way past bedtime on too many nights...but I wouldn't have it any other way. So happy to have these pictures to remember it all...

Christmas Eve family shot. I have this same picture starting from the first year Todd and I moved into our house. I need to post them all one of these days!

Ross's "cheese" face just gets better and better with each click of the camera!

We open a few presents Christmas Eve, usually from grandparents and cousins. The kids new diner/kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa is just about the cutest thing we've ever seen!

Chef and waitress costumes to go along with the diner. Halloween costumes next year? I think so!

Off to bed now!

Saying goodbye to the elf on Christmas Eve was not easy for Bridget...so Santa let him stick around just one extra day.

A peek of the tree from upstairs

The kids were actually the last to wake up on Christmas morning. Here are their first reactions to seeing that Santa had come...

ps-it did not even occur to me to brush Bridget's hair that morning. This is exactly how she rolls out of bed every morning. She'll thank me one day:)

Let the opening begin...

Presents and parties and all the Christmas fun is so wonderful, but the real reason we celebrate was certainly not lost this year. Bridget enjoyed listening to our story books about Jesus' birthday and was so excited every time she saw a nativity or manger scene in someone's yard. We are happy and blessed and grateful to end another year with so much to be thankful for.