Evy's Hates Cleaning

We are cracking down in this house. I am often finishing the basement destroyed and more often than not, it's Evy's doing. To make matters worse she will somehow convince her brother to help her clean and he does most of the work. This girl hates cleaning, I am still trying to figure out how we are related! After finally getting the play room cleaned up I took out the vacuum and asked her to vacuum the floors of the playroom, you can tell by her face she was not on board! 

Defensive Player of the Game

Today Charlie had his best game to date. He had at least 10 steals and no one could get past him. At the end of the game he was presented the gatorade "award" for defensive player of the game. We are so proud of how hard he is playing this year! 

The 3rd Grade Spelling Bee

Charlie signed up for the spelling bee this year! He is a great speller and he was very excited to participate. We didn't know that the 3rd graders go against the 4th and 5th graders which makes it a tough competition, but Charlie did a great job! He made it through 4 rounds and the videos below are the first three rounds.

(charlie waiting for his turn to spell) 

Boomerang in the Snow

This family loves some Boomerangs! We Boomeranged our way through yet another snow storm! 

Our Last Beach Day...

Well, it's been amazing and warm and beautiful - but our vacation is coming to an end. Matt went golfing one last time today, so the kids and I spent the day at the beach - literally the entire day. We arrived at 10 am and left at 3:30! It was glorious! We parked our chair right in front of the water and went swimming all day. After our long beach day we headed home for a shower and quick nap before heading to our last dinner at Aruba. Charlie asked if he could order surf and turf on his last night, so he ordered a sirloin steak and shrimp scampi - he finished nearly all of it! It was amazing and eating outside on the beach was a wonderful way to end the week. 

(so blue and beautiful)

(digging to China)

(beach beauty)

(she loves getting buried)

(evy's new friend Sparkle)

                     (charlie's HUGE meal! BEFORE)                                And AFTER)

More Adventures and Bears!

Today was my day to relax and I headed to the spa - my favorite spa! While I was relaxing Matt took the kids on another adventure, but this time canoeing. The kids love the water and they loved canoeing! Once everyone got home, we showered and headed to a restaurant nearby to watch the Bears Wildcard game with Jimmy and Jody. The kids did a great time hanging out while we watched the whole game and unfortunately they lost in the last second...there's always next year! 

Golf and Beauty...

Today, the boys went golfing so Evy and I went out for a beauty day. We went to a nearby salon and got manicures and pedicures. Once we got home, Evy was desperate to jump in the pool - even thought the pool water was very cold! After only about 10 minutes she gave up and we headed in for showers. Once the boys were home we headed to one of our favorite restaurants, Sea Watch and we were not disappointed. Charlie has been loving the endless supply of seafood! 

(nail day!)

(cold swim!)

(sea watch dinner)

Ocean and Park Kayaking

Today was a special day, we went on a family kayaking trip.  Matt has been kayaking in the past, but this was the first time for me and the kids. We joined Jody and Jimmy for the excursion and I am happy we did! We paddled down the inter-coastal before turning around and having lunch in the State Park. After spending the day outside, we were exhausted so we stayed local for dinner and made our usual stop for ice cream. After ice cream, we stopped to see the puppies, which are conveniently next door to the ice cream shop. After dragging the kids out of there with frowns on their face we headed home - these kids really want a dog! 

(I'm paddling and he's relaxing)

(down the inter-coastal)

(evy loving nature)

(this girl...)

(could she be any cuter)

(always smiling!) 

(daddy's happy)

(daddy ad evy took a shortcut)

(kayak selfie)

(they always find a stage)

(the dog they love)

(sad kids walking home)

(boo! we want a dog!)

More swimming and sun...and some golf

While Matt got in his first round of golf the kids and I spent part of the morning making vision boards for the year. The kids came up with all sort of creative ideas like "riding a horse" (Evy) and "going to NYC" (Charlie). It's something that I love doing and I loved sharing the exercise with both of them. After we figured out our dreams and goals for they year we headed to Auntie Jody's pool. Her pool was much warmer and the kids had a blast! Once everyone was showered up we picked up our rental car and headed out to dinner at Rainforest Cafe and did a little shopping before calling it a night. 

(dreaming and envisioning)

(another iguana friend)

(rainforest adventure)

(loving the adventure)

Life's a Beach

Today, was all about the beach. The kids could not wait to hit the sand and the water. They loved swimming, collecting shells and burying each other in the sand. We wrapped up the day at Benihana - our Lauderdale by the Sea tradition and it didn't disappoint! 

(he's going under)

(loving the water)

(ready to jump out there)

(sand castles)

(working hard on the beach)

(I will take this view!)

(patiently waiting for Benihana)

(our Lauderdale tradition - Benihana)

The First Day of 2019

New Year's Day - A Fresh Start (January 1, 2019)

We spent our first day relaxing and enjoying the sun and the beach. We visited our favorite lunch spot on the pier, checked out the beach, and did some swimming in our pool. We also made a new friend...our neighborhood iguana! 

(testing out the water)

(water baby)

(how far will she go)

(best lunch spot (and view) ever)

(they are drawn to the water)

(our friendly iguana)

(pool lovers)

(evy and daddy tan and happy)

(monkeying around)

(I am burnt and he is tan...how unfair)