52 Week Project - Week 8 - Winter

Well - this weekly post was pretty hard.  We have had a really strange winter so far this year.   There have been a few days that have been bitterly cold and windy and I have been so thankful that I got a North Face parka this Christmas.  On the other hand, we have gotten very little snow (knock on wood) and I already posted those pictures when it happened. This week, it is supposed to be in the 50's and pushing 60 on Friday and for the most part, it has been a very mild winter!!!

I thought about taking pictures of our gloves, hats, snow pants and boots to highlight what a process it is to get out of the house when it is snowing but what fun would that be? Instead, what better way to showcase the weather than beach pictures, even if they are in the middle of the winter.

This past weekend we went down to Atlantic City for the night and took the kids.   There is not much for kids to do down there, especially in the winter when everything on the Boardwalk is closed (hindsight - should have taken pictures of that).   The kids had a blast though when we told them they could play on the beach for a bit.

We didn't go all the way down to the water's edge because I was pretty sure that one, if not both of the boys would end up sopping wet and freezing.  Instead, we threw rocks at a huge puddle (not sure what else to call it) and Dylan even laid in the sand and made "snow angels" - I probably should have taken pictures of that but I was more worried about Dylan being a sandy mess.

I really enjoyed watching the kids running around playing and ridiculous as it would have been, I really wished that I had a lounge chair and could have sat there, soaking up the winter sun and listening to the sweet sound of giggles and ocean waves.   Then I realized that Dylan was watching me out of the corner of his eye (sound familiar, lol.  I feel like I am always saying that) and that IF I had a chair and IF I sat down on it, that would be the precise moment that Dylan ran through the water.  When I looked at Ryan, he didn't really look that innocent either.

I don't really mind winter and I don't mind the snow, but I am really enjoying this nice weather we have had this winter.   Now that I wrote this post, I suppose I should expect to wake up to 2 feet of snow.   Good thing the weather forecast predicts another great weekend!! 

52 Week Project - Week 7 - Love

There is only one happiness in life—to love and be loved.

- George Sands 

Since Ryan was born, I have done a Valentine's Day "photo shoot" of the boys to send messages of love to family and friends.  This year it is a little bit late - it was absolutely freezing on the day I chose to do the shoot and it didn't quite go the way I wanted.   It as so cold in fact, we didn't even make it outside with Dylan.  Ryan was a pretty good sport though (until he told me that it was so cold his fingers were going to fall off and begged to go back inside).

 When we got back unto the apartment, I tried to set up a backdrop but Dylan would not stay still, kept knocking everything down, and none of the shots were really coming out the way I wanted them too.  They were totally "Dylan" though - crazy, funny and totally silly.

 

 
I finally thought I had the perfect shot and Dylan was more than willing to participate.

Only problem with the above shot  - when we were at lunch last weekend, Dylan picked up a fake flower out of the vase on the table, put it in his mouth and said "Look at me, look at me" LOL.
My children are really lucky - they are surrounded by a lot of people that really really love them and they know how loved they are.

From our family to yours - we wish you a very Happy Valentines Day.  We love you all SO SO much!!

 On a side note, for Valentine's Day, I helped Ryan make his Valentines for his class.   I made chocolate hearts in 5 different colors and each kid got a baggie plus a card.  Ryan helped decorate all of the baggies and put the chocolates in each one and Jay helped with all of the cards while i tied up the baggies.

 

Ryan tried one of the white hearts and said they were so gross and none of his friends would like them.   I have to admit, I was pretty upset but was already 75 chocolates in and figured "oh well".   When we were putting the bags together, Ryan asked to try a red heart.  Mind you, both are chocolate melts, exact same taste just different colors - well, Ryan ate the red one and declared "Mommy - these are delicious!! My school friends are going to love these.   You are the best baker in the world".   While I would not go that far,  I have to say it made me feel so good and I was very happy to have made the baggies (they were a hit with the class Ryan said!!)

I don't really want to get too sappy about love so I will just say this about all of you reading this (and for my boys that can't read it yet but hopefully will one day)- you are my life and I would be nothing without all of you.  I love you all more than you know
xoxoxo
A hundred hearts would be too few
To carry all my love for you.
~Author Unknown 

Outer Banks 2011- Rock Climbing

From July 2011

Ryan was so amazing, I think the rock climbing is completely deserving of its own post.   One night, Jay and I wanted to get out of the house for a bit so we took the kids and headed over to Kitty Hawk Kites, an amazing souvenir and adventure activity shop.  In addition to the main store, there are a few other stores attached and we spent a while walking around, buying souvenirs and getting some ice cream.  The highlight though was the rock climbing wall - as soon as Ryan saw it, he BEGGED to do it.   I really didn't think it was a good idea - I figured that as soon as I paid the $10 or whatever it was for Ryan to do it, he would either say he was afraid or he physically would be unable to do it and would quit.   Everyone doing it was much bigger than him but Jay said we should give him a chance and I am so so happy we did.  Ryan was beside himself with excitement and was jumping up and down until I came back from paying.

 

First, to get used to the climbing, kids get to try a pirate ship wall that is a bit smaller and easier than the other wall.  Ryan got all strapped in and the instructor told him what to do, gave him a little lesson on finding grips and how to pull yourself up etc and we gave him a pep talk on not to be afraid and promised he couldn't fall, something that he was not only not worried about but I am pretty sure the thought never crossed his mind. 

 

I was in shock how quickly Ryan made it up the wall

Ironically, the only time that Ryan was afraid was when it was time to come back down.  Ryan didn't want to let go and begged to climb back down instead of rappelling or being pulled down.   We finally convinced him to let go and he was slowly lowered down to the bottom.   When he got there, I thought that he would say enough but he walked right up to the tougher wall and said that he was ready to go.  

We were so proud of what a good job he did and he even had a pretty good crowd watching him by the end. 

Outer Banks 2011 - Part 1

 from August 2011

One of the highlights of the summer was our family trip to the Outer Banks. Like last year, we made a stop on the way on to the island at the Morris Farm Market to pick up some veggies, dips and fruit - the Farmer's Market is huge and has a great selection of stuff, plus the kids love stopping there and playing on the tractors. (although Ryan was convinced that they were infested with bees and bugs and would not go on any without a thorough inspection - he is for sure my kid) Dylan on the other hand ran right over.

Dylan tried to escape from Jay when it was time to leave because he still wanted to ride the tractor. The only thing that stopped him was his pants.

I could stay in the Farm Market all day (pretty sure Papa could too), trying all of the samples and looking around.  Anyway, I realized after a while I didn't see anyone else inside so I paid and headed outside, afraid everyone was waiting for me. I had one arm holding a watermelon and a bag of stuff and the other holding a gallon jar of cider and more bags and then I see Jasmine standing in front of me, blinding me with her new bling.  Turns out while I was inside stuffing my face with free samples and Jay was entertaining the kids on the tractors, Michael proposed to Jasmine!  Not sure how Ii did not drop the watermelon or the cider.  

 What a great way to start off our vacation!

About 25 miles and 1.5 hours later, we finally made it to the house where Erika and Richie were waiting for us.   It did not take long for all of us to head out back and in to the pool.  Throughout the rest of the trip, almost all of our time was spent at the pool or the beach.   The kids were on and off about the beach and sometimes it was just easier to stay at the pool - Dylan did not love the beach but Ryan had a blast making sandcastles and ditches all day.   When we stayed at the pool, we had plenty of pool toys to play with. 

Both kids were totally fearless when it came to jumping in the water and would not even wait for someone to catch them.

By the end of the week, Ryan was able to swim short bits without the swimmies.   One of the favorite pool activities for the kids was "helicopter" - basically, they set in a blow-up canoe and Michael would throw the canoe as far as he could!

Dylan would go pretty far due to his weight and I am certain Michael got a great arm workout.   On a side note, the favorite pool activity was pool beer pong, thanks to Richie and Erika's great pong table raft.  I also was a big fan of our afternoon of Catch Phrase by the pool.

The nights are pretty quiet in the Outer Banks and after being in the sun all day, everyone really wanted to relax anyway.  One night though, Grandma and Papa were super nice and agreed to watch Dylan so Michael, Jasmine, Jay and I could take a SUPER EXCITED Ryan to play miniature golf.

Of course, he picked the green ball and green club because that is his favorite color.  

Ryan also can still rock a mean "school pose"

After the short ride up to the start of the course, we all decided to try the course that we didn't do last year - amazingly, Ryan remembered which one that was.

Aside from the drunk crazies behind us, who were swinging full-force and were eventually moved away from us, we had a great time. Ryan declared himself the #1 winner and Michael the #2 winner and was thrilled when I told him that the #1 winner could keep his ball - pretty sure he carried the ball in his pocket for the rest of the trip.  Grandma, Papa, Richie, Erika and Dylan:  you were definitely missed. 

to be continued.......(still up, beach photos, rock climbing and the dunes visit. )

52 Week Project - Week 6 - Animals

I have never been a pet person, have never wanted a dog or cat (although I may have had thoughts about having a pet monkey every so often), and I have a serious fear of a bird flying up to me and pecking me on the head and poking my eye out.  I really am not even a fan of animals in general.  Going on safari is not high on my "Bucket List" and I have more than one memory of being petrified by dogs that lived on our street when I was growing up.  Ironically, I really love going to the zoo and the aquarium.   When Ryan was little, we got our first yearly membership to the zoo and have gotten one every year since.    We go at least a few times a year and the kids love it.  While we were in North Carolina two weeks ago, we got to visit the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher with Erika and Richie and we all had a great time.  

  

As soon as we got in to the aquarium, Dylan ran right up to a huge fish tank, put his hands flat against the glass and just stared.  (i think he did this at each tank until he saw my reflection coming and then he was off running to the next tank).

Although he said his favorite thing at the aquarium was an albino alligator, Ryan became pretty enamored with one fish and stood there for a long time - for as long as he stayed, the fish stayed too.   

 

I don't take too many pictures of scenery and almost all of my pictures have one or both of the boys in it. Trying to embrace the theme though for this week, I figured I would try to find some true "animal" shots and when I saw this crocodile's eyes, I knew I had to capture them.   This picture was taken through glass which I think is pretty amazing - I think I will have nightmares about that eye for a while though.  Pretty sure it was sizing me up....

 
and if given the opportunity, would have done this......

and his friend, Mr. Shark would want to join in...

After we left the aquarium, we went about 5 minutes away and walked along the beach. I once again had an opportunity to take more pictures for the 52 week project and attempt to overcome my fear of getting pecked to death, I got as close as I dared to this bird while we were walking along a path next to the beach after the aquarium. 

I tiptoed up to the bird and did get really close when Ryan came running over screaming, the bird started flapping his wings and I hightailed it out of there as fast as I could.

The kids have been saying for a while that we are getting a dog "someday" - not sure where they got that from since we have never had a discussion about it and it is not going to happen any time soon. Like I said earlier, we are not really animal lovers in our family, but we are very welcoming of one kind of animal though: Stuffed animals!

Ryan has called his stuffed animals his "bed friends" for longer than I can remember.  While he never takes them to sleepovers, he sleeps with them EVERY SINGLE NIGHT that we are home and if he comes in our room in the middle of the night, at least one of them joins him.   This week, we had one new animal join us after a party at Build a Bear.    Our new "Animal" friend is named Silly - name suits the owner who was in charge of selecting his name.

After "thinking of all good wishes for our new friend", we gave his hear a kiss, filled him with stuffing and fluffed his fur. 

Now that kind of animal is much more my speed!