With one week until Christmas, I can definitively say that I will not be sending out Christmas cards this year. I've managed to the last couple years, but this year, I just had too much on my plate to even think about getting a family portrait or even ordering thoughtful cards. I'd rather not send anything than to send a generic card with just a signature and no little note or anything. That's just me though. I do feel a little guilty though as I absolutely love all the cards we've received in the mail this year. So here's my compromise- consider this an online Christmas card from us to you!

Took the kiddos to The Florida Aquarium for the day. We had a great time. We've been before, but the last time it was super crowded and I somehow forgot Jane's stroller, so I had to schlep her all over the place. This time, she was on wheels and that was a game changer. We got there right when it opened and almost had the place to ourselves. Here's some of the better photos we took:

The Florida Aquarium at Channelside in Tampa

Julian loves all the hands on stuff

Crazy about sea dragons.

Lining up a great shot

Even baby girl had a wonderful time

Glowing moon jellies

Momma's got to have some fun too!

Right now Tampa Bay area McDonald's have coupons- "Buy an adult ticket, get a kid ticket free". LivingSocial is also running a deal right now. You can always save a couple bucks by buying your tickets online. To visit the official aquarium website go to http://www.flaquarium.org/

Amazing how much fun a simple Happy Meal mask can be! We're just a couple weeks away so Halloween in on my mind a lot. It's cheesy, but we kind of like to have a family theme. We let Juju pick what he wants to be and then plan around that.We were all Green Lanterns last year.  


This year Julian wanted to be a giant squid. We'd also decided to participate in our church's Trunk or Treat so it was an easy choice to do an ocean theme for that. I will be attempting to make some sort of jellyfish costume for myself. Jane has a cute mermaid outfit and Jason is trying to pull together some sort of salty sea captain look. Hope it all comes together! If you'd like to check out the results in person, Trunk or Treat is Wednesday, October 30th, 6:30 pm to 8 pm at Skycrest Community Church.

My handsome boy in his PPA uniform

Silly with excitement!

So proud to be his mama

And it went very well and he can't wait to go back tomorrow!

I'm reading through the packet we got from Julian's school yesterday and I just feel overwhelmed. The car line chart alone is daunting. One of the reasons I like this school so much is the level of parent involvement they require- I just did not consider how it pertained to me! Really, it's not so bad, taken day by day. It's just a lot of information all at once. Jason's taking him in the mornings so I only actually have to deal with half of that car line chart. Thank you, Jason!

As much as I'm a little verklempt at my little boy entering his elementary years, I'm also to the point in the summer where I am ready for it to start already! Here's the top 10 phrases I used the most in the last three months:

1. "Did you wipe?"
2. "That's too rough for your sister."
3. "Pick it up!!!"
4. "STOP!"
5. "Don't touch me until you wash your hands."
6. "What is that?!"
7. "Don't put that in your mouth."
8. "You are getting so tall!"
9. "How's your rash?"
10. "I love you so much!"

Here are Julian's most used phrases:

1. "Mom, did you see me?"
2. "Can I have some of that?"
3. "I see your boobies." [The joys of breastfeeding...]
4. "Can I watch Ben 10?"
5. "I don't know."
6. "Why aren't you doing what I want you to do?!"
7. "Invisible Julian has/does/is...."
8. "Can you scratch my rash?"
9. "I'm the fastest in the world!"
10. "Guess what?"

I know I'll miss this time and age, but right now, I'm going a bit nuts!

The boy did this all by himself using every piece. Forget kindergarten, let's get this kid in an engineering program! One of my grandpas was an architectural engineer so there is that possibility in the genes. Makes me wonder what my parents thought I might become. I know I didn't meet my own expectations. Things change. Really, I see potential in Julian, but my highest hopes are for his character, not his vocation.

Or at least he's figured out how to get in on all the attention! Really though, Julian does seem fond of his little sis. He's got so much going on lately and she's not doing much yet, so it's a nice time. I know that when she's in his stuff and following him around all the time, he might not be as loving! We'll just enjoy it for now.

Taken in a dim room with a not-so-hot camera phone!

One of the denizens of the Children's Wing

I feel so lucky to live in an area that has a lot of things to do, especially since so many of those things are for families. The Mommy & Me group from my church has spent Monday mornings this summer down in Largo. We meet at the wonderful Largo Central Park and then when it gets too warm (or the gobs of day cares turn up), we head to the library across the street. They have a children's wing that is really fantastic. The kids aren't shushed constantly and there is a nice play area for the younger lot. Julian's getting a bit big for it so he's now on the computers playing games. When Jane's old enough, we'll start doing some of the library's fun mid-morning kid programs. For more information and the library's calendar, click here. 

Julian was going around this alphabet rug reciting a dinosaur for each letter

August 7

The new guy. Julian has named him Joseph, which is funny considering that's what I wanted to name the baby if it was a boy!

August 6

Yeah, this is pretty much the gravitational center of "cuteness'.

August 5

Catching up on some correspondence. It's been a bit of an exciting, but lonely summer.

August 4

She's found her fingers, not her thumb, but her two middle fingers. Can't complain about a self-soothing baby though!

August 3

A life lived really, really well.

August 2

Jason's pick for birthday his celebration. My phone camera just would not function in the "mood lighting" so no people photos. J received some very interesting gifts!

July 27- This is why I love Groupon- we get to try different places around without blowing our budget. Tonight we gave Joto's Pizza a try. It's been around for a loooooong time and is pretty well known locally. Can  I give a brief review? The pizza was good- nice crust and yummy cheese- and the restaurant staff was super nice. Julian loved that you can watch them throw the pizza dough and make the pizzas. Still, it's a bit of a drive for us and just doesn't quite top our closer favorites: Zeko's, Queen's & Paul's Chicago. If you're in the Pinellas Park area, it is worth checking out.

This morning Julian also built a race car at Lowe's and got a hair cut. Eventful day for a 5 year old!

July 25th- 

Ship Captain Juju

Fire Chief Julian

July 24th-
 

Still hot and muggy- at least Jane's got a lot of light weight little cotton dresses. This one is Koala Baby and has pink embroidery and smocking- classic!

July 23rd- 

I love the decor in my house- until I have to dust and de-cobweb it all! I'm hopelessly behind and, in this swampy warm house with no air conditioning, not feeling much like even trying to catch up!

July 21-

Oh, yes, please! This is my favorite wine.  (And the kitchen curtains mum & I finally got made up!)

July 20- 

Saturday night bath- this was a compromise from what he wanted me to take a picture of! Silly boy...

July 8, 2013-

It's raining again and, yet, still super humid. We're all a little sleepy on this warm Monday. One of my new favorite things is napping with Miss Jane. She snuggles up into a little ball next to me. I love having a cuddly baby this time around!

July 9, 2013-

Julian has his first lose tooth. I can't believe we're to that point. I remember when he got that tooth! It was one of the first ones to come in and it was a miserable two weeks arriving. He seemed to get four teeth at the same time. That time period seemed like it would never end and now it seems to have flown by. I'm having to look closely at socks to decide if they are his or mine, teeth are about to fall out, and he begs to get on my computer. I feel like I'm going to wake up tomorrow and he'll be as tall as me!

September 23, 2012~

September 14th~

Ugh, the glut of the buffet. I wish Julian would eat more and I could eat less! Here's my cool guy showing off his new shades.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012~

Still figuring out the camera. It's shooting very dark, but if I turn on the flash, it totally washes everything out. I just need to play with it. Of course, when Juju was at school this morning I had a million and one errands to run.  So later when I'm trying to hang a backdrop and figure out the new camera, he's running around talking non-stop. It was a frustrating afternoon to say the least. I just have to keep in mind that he isn't always going to be here so I need to be more patient and willing to stop what I'm doing and give him a little attention.

Playing cat in the midst of chaos. My just-hung backdrop is in the foreground. His sea creature bedroom stuff is next to him. That has to happen soon!

Saturday, September 1st~

Camera is still broken, but here's a little something I snapped on my phone.

Fashionable young pirate