the ball store

"Dis the store with da ball?"

Yes Matix, It's the store with the ball. After we got there, he proceeded to try to roll the large, concrete, anchored, Target balls... for 20 minutes. "It's not wooking". Bless his persistent little heart. :) We love this little guy.

catch up in progress

I still have a million pictures of our last few adventures with Grandma Stacy before she left. So over the next few days hopefully I will be able to catch up with those. Here is one to get me started... Matix and Grandma on the swings, both thoroughly enjoying their time together. :)

Meanwhile, we have been having a WONDERFUL time with Laurel here. Laurel came the day after Stacy left. I am reminded at each of our reunions how lucky I am to know her. She is so great. :) She checked into a fancy hotel and we have been spending all day with her at the beach and pool. This afternoon is her last one here and we are meeting her at a new park on her way out. We have another million pictures from our adventures with Laurel too, so I guess it's catch up time again!

just fun

Hawken and Matix lived in their jammies this day, and the slides were super static-y because of it. Fun. :)

1 and 1/2 days

Grandma left yesterday morning... and although these were the boys' reactions to her going on an airplane without them (partly upset that grandma was leaving, partly upset that they didn't have a turn riding on a super fun plane too):

They still had a couple of fun days. They cried while leaving the airport, but quickly stopped after we talked about it. I love that they can understand some simple reasoning now. We went for a special treat, and then home for lunch with Daddy, and to a playground after naps. The boys didn't ask for her at bedtime (which was surprising because they LOVE Grandma kisses and extra kisses and MORE extra kisses at night), but this morning that was the first question...

"Where a gumma go?" -Matix

"Mah-muh? Go? Go?" -Hawken

These boys are Grandma lovers but took it all in stride. We skyped with her later in the day, and they seemed just fine with that, although I am sure she (and they) would have preferred a real kiss than the one they gave each other via computer screen. :) Then after naps we went to the library and got a couple of books. One is about families and has a picture of a Grandma and Grandpa in it. Both boys were excited about that.

So, they made it. 1 and 1/2 days without their other mommy. :) I really miss having extended family around now. It was so nice that basically since we moved here we have had family here with us. So thanks to Stacy and my mom and Louie and Lee and Colleen for being here, even if only for a little while. Now... who wants to come NEXT?! :) My friend Laurel will be here tomorrow on a quick vaca until Wednesday, but after that we are free! :)

Stacy is leaving

It's true... Grandma Stacy is leaving us. After almost 2 months of her being here, taking care of the boys, she is going back to Arizona tomorrow morning. The doctor gave me the okay to be off bed rest at the beginning of the month, but she wanted to make sure everything was going to stay on the up and up, so she stayed until I had this last appointment where the doctor assured me, that yes, I am just fine. The baby is healthy and growing and I am gaining weight, so... she has to leave.

We have so much fun with her here and we are all going to miss her. Thank you Stacy for the huge sacrifice on your part, coming out here, taking over all the "mom duties", and loving on your babies the way you do. We really appreciate all you have done for us, we can't say it enough. You will be missed.

Sunday

The University of Miami has the world's BEST campus. It is huge and grassy and full of statues, manatees, squirrels, fountains, sea shells, and dry leaves. We went there on Sunday afternoon to spend some time all together before Stacy has to leave. It is such a beautiful place, and very calming to be at. The boys have never experienced a real "autumn" since we have lived in Arizona, Dominica, and Florida for their entire lives. BUT... at this place there were dry leaves on the ground for them to play with. Sounds lame, I know, but they loved it. They play "leaf you" with Grandma, where they throw leaves on each other and scream, "I leafed you!!"

The water fountain is always a favorite of mine. Very picturesque.

These statues at the Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies have Matix fascinated each time we go. He will ask "I see my guys?" He posed in front of a few of them.

(click on the collage to see it bigger)

Hawken has realized lately, that animals aren't so bad, as long as they run when he chases them. I think he likes feeling in control of the situation. So ducks, birds, fish, and squirrels, are now on his approved list of animals. All others will still be scowled at. He will "run" (mostly he waddles fast, but he says he is running) at squirrels forever, until they climb a tree, and then he watches them.

What outing (sans restroom) would be complete without a pee in the bushes. I think Matix secretly holds out until he knows there are no bathrooms available, just so he can pee in the "jungle"... :)

Birdie's roof

Paul finally got all the pictures together to make a video of his first attempt at roofing (back when we were in Dominica). I made a post about it earlier. Click this link to read it again, or just watch the video he made. He did it all by himself and was very proud.

Paul is such a great guy. I love that this is what he spent his extra time doing before leaving the island.

beach with friends

We spent one day last week with our friends at the beach. It is bittersweet being in this part of our life... Making friends is the easy part, but then we move, or they move, or both. These particular friends are currently attending Ross too, but they have yet to start their time on the island, so that means they are 4 semesters behind us. :( It's too bad we can't just collect all our favorites and bring them with us on our journey.

I finally found a kid who eats more than mine do. Meet Hudson. :)

Hawken has been asking me to take his picture lately. He says, "Mommy, CHEESE!!!" and then holds this pose until I take a picture. Over and over and over again, especially this day, as you can see... and this isn't all of them either, just my favorites.

Even from afar, he will yell for me to take a picture. Adorable.

Matix and Kash had a great game of catch going on. Kash would hurl the inner tube into the water, Matix would catch it and walk it back to his buddy and say, "Here a go Kash! Let do it again!" (here you go kash, let's do it again) So cute.

Then... The highlight of our day... Grandma came paddling down the beach in this cool red BOAT!!! The boys were SO SO SO excited. They ran out into the water to greet her, and climbed up all by themselves.

Hawken liked it until he got about this far and wanted his mommy (he is STILL a big momma's boy). He cried "Mommy!!! MOMMY!!!" the whole ride back, silly guy.

He was just content to play in the water close to me. The water is so shallow here on this beach that the boys can walk out pretty far into the water without needing help, which they love. They are pretty independent.

Then the Jensens took a turn on the boat. It was a great day for everyone.

the park

Fuch's park is a favorite around here. The playground is nice, but I really like all the exploring that can be done. Oh, and have I mentioned that I am in love with this little boy? His cheesy smile and need for snuggles all the time can make this mommy MELT.

Here is Matix, as usual, leading the way, followed closely behind by his shadow, I mean, Hawken. Daddy close by in case anyone needs help.

"Help!!" Look at that face!

Grandma discovered the red seed trees... I don't really know their name, but they were all over the island, and apparently they are here too. She loves the seeds even more than I do, and every time we go to this park, she eventually wanders off to collect some more of her seeds. :) Here she is with her loot!

She has filled a large glass jar for me, and has just as many for her to bring home too. And I bet if we go again before she has to leave, she will get more then too. :) It's an obsession. Look out Lee, she has seeds and lots of crafty ideas!!!

The pond had some new addition's! 4 new baby ducklings following a proud momma! The boys were fascinated! :)

And of course, we saw some old favorites as well, the turtles. Love them. They are all over, but very fast and hard to catch on my camera.

Miami History Museum

Another free day at the Miami history museum, this time just with Grandma. She said the boys were well behaved and had a fun time.

They mostly played with the fake food and baby bear. Maybe practicing for the new baby?

Just tonight actually, Matix anounced that the baby should be called "Ariel" (he is certain it is a baby sister, NOT brother)... He is very into princess movies lately, especially when they dance! :)

silly Matix

"Mommy! Picture me! Ready, GO!"

The results are in....

Okay.... drumroll please.... LAUREL WON!!! Thank you to all of you who went and voted on her page. :) Here is the winner's post announced just today! Laurel is a really good person who deserves to feel good about herself. Her prize package is one that will help her on her path of healing and trusting more in herself. Thank you again to everyone who helped her win! :)

mistake!

AHHHHhhhhhhh! There has been a mistake. Maybe I didn't understand it right... This is what Laurel's contest rules said:

"Cast your votes by leaving comments on the letters that move you. The letter with the most comments by midnight (MST) March 21st will win the $2,000 prize package, including a photo shoot with Iman Woods."

Now I took that to mean... midnight this morning, 12am... ?!?!?! Well, I was WRONG!! Yikes! She meant the contest would continue all day today (the 21st) and end TONIGHT at midnight!!

So, here is her link again! :) Please go vote. It is VERY close and it would be wonderful if she won! Please please take a minute and leave her a comment/vote. You can vote as often as you want! Thanks again to all those who did already.

voting time!!

Okay, I have received a couple comments and emails about the computer issues. Thank you, and keep them coming if you have more ideas (read previous post if you don't know what I am talking about)...

I am currently using Paul's old computer because I am on a mission! Laurel needs comments on her page! She is in a contest and the winner gets lots of really good pick me up, feel good about yourself stuff, including a photo shoot with a world renowned pin-up style photographer, a package of wellness coaching, and make-up lessons... SO FUN!! Read more details about the prizes she can win here.

Please please go to her page, read her letter and leave a comment!! You can comment as many times as you want. Each comment counts as 1 vote, and the page with the most votes WINS!!! She is currently one of the front runners, but that changes almost hourly, so please please do it. Even if you don't know her, just leave one saying hi... :) I really want her to win. Thanks in advance if you read this in time.

The contest ends at midnight tonight, SO GO VOTE! :)

computer trouble

I may or may not be on blogger in the next few days, as my computer is doing some weird things... This is what's happening:

1. My battery refuses to be charged 99% of the time, and only randomly will.

2. The old power cord does not light up when it's plugged in, meaning it isn't sending a charge, with AND without the battery being in.

3. The new power cord ($80, yikes!) does light up, but only when the battery is out.

So, computer-y friends, this one's for you! It's a 2008 Apple MacBook and I love it. Please send help if you have any idea what I should do. Right now, it is only working because I have taken the battery out and have the new power cord plugged in. I am on my way to the Apple store soon to get this figured out.

my sweet boys

Yep. This is me snuggling with my boys. I just love them so much. I know I always love them, but lately especially I have been overcome with emotion (on many occasions) thinking about how wonderful they really are. I feel so fortunate to have them with me. Maybe it's the thought of bringing another little one into the world that has me all choked up about the 2 beautiful angel babies that I already have, or maybe it's just the hormones... Who knows? But what I do know is that I love them, and that they are 2 little pieces of heaven here on earth.

Matix often asks to be snuggled in his bed, so we lay together and he pats my cheek so softly. Hawken, of course, is never far behind and will join us, although he really doesn't sit still for very long. Then we get into the I love you wars. Matix will say, "I wuv you mommy", then Hawken will say, "wuv you!!" a little louder then Matix will say, "NO! I wuv mommy." to which Hawken again says "wuv you!!!" And that goes on and on for a while. I secretly love this game. ;)

weird day at the pool

We had an interesting day at the pool... It started out perfectly normal. Bright day, slight breeze, and 2 little boys full of energy needing some (more) outside time. This time I even went, and I am glad I did.

While doing some of the usual activities... Hoarding a ball.

And lounging in the chairs next to mommy...

(This is when it got interesting) A neighbor got to talking about children and their natural interest and curiosity in animals. She left and came back a while later with this:

This is a baby anaconda... WHAT?! Yes, this is her pet. She had just eaten a rat and had a large bump in her. Yuck. Hawken was only medium interested and preferred to play with his ball, but Matix got brave and HELD IT!! The lady was very attentive and took her off of Matix when she started to look hungry again...

This was a very weird afternoon, to say the least. I still don't know what I think about this little adventure.