...On The Road: Florida...

... Full of Smiles... And So Stinking Cute!
I am a lucky woman to have these boys in my life!

Where were we??? well....

Life has been full, as it is for everyone!! We were so lucky to spend a week together as a family --- LM spent his first overnight at my mom's with my mom, stepdad, and his Uncle Brian and Cousin Katie to kick off the week! Jeff and I went to his 25 year HS reunion... (my 25 i in like 15 years. ha ha ha)... He had a blast, doing things like Johny Test's doggie's name is Dukie, and how to play WII and all sorts of other fun "never do at home" things :) He had a blast and we were grateful to everyone who pitched in to enjoy an overnight with him... We all visited with Uncle Brian on Sunday and on Monday morning, we hopped a flight to the sunshine and palm trees FLORIDA!! Our first "just us" vacation was just awesome...

...A Heart Peeking out At Sunset... ...Very beautiful sign..
of the closing of an incredibly beautiful day (week) with my men...

We made last minute plans for a week off that snuck up on us -- and headed to Florida!! Where else do two, otherwise mellow (read: typically camping is our biggest go away gig) go on their first family vacation with their awesome little boy? You got it -- Orlando, baby!!

..."This is Clyde. He is my pet Sea Lion. You want to pet him? He is Friendly"...

The week was just fantastic! We went to Sea World twice, so the pictures are combined (we are light packers and it was not purposeful but somehow I managed to dress LM in the same shirt both days! But, I want him to know when he reads this book that we were there for 2 days!)... He was loving every minute of it, and really, so were we...

Manatee Underwater Tank was Super Cool..

..."Look Papa, he touch me!"...

...Sting Ray Fun...
PS: isn't the joy and togetherness of the couple in the bottom left corner cool? I wish I knew them to send them this photo... I hope someday Jeff and I will be caught by some "young family" as the "older couple" who clearly are happy together.

Sea World is really just amazing -- The animals are gorgeous and what they learn to do to control their huge bodies for a fish just defies the laws of motor control & body mass... LM loved every minute of it, and for the week afterward was playing "trainer" and getting his stuffed Clyde to do things. Even now, a few weeks later, if I stand and hold an arm up and "turn", he will say "I be whale, you tell me turn. You give me fish"...

... Mesmerized and Loving the Shamu Show...

Our no fear little adventurer was all over going on the trampoline/bungee "ride" -- I think the park guy hooking kids on and off was floored that he wasn't even 3 yet....

..."Look at me, look at me"...

Rare Family Footage -- Benihana's...

While he looks tired, and he was, have no worries. He took it ALL in. And, yesterday, at breakfast he took his cheerios soup spoon and started banging it on table, trying to then cut a cheerio in half, and threw the spoon in the air to try to catch it. I said, "hey, who are you being" (because when he does these things, he is not being bad, I know he is pulling on a memory and trying to imitate.. truly the kid should be an actor or musician someday with his uncanny ability to re-create scenes, sounds,etc)... Anyway, he said, "Mommy, I be dad man with big hat at restrant."

We were also completely delighted to re-connect with our travel mates to Kirov, Chris and Celeste and their son, N.... The boys, I swear, recognized one another right away... When they walked into the pool area, there were a bunch of other kids LM was playing with -- He literally dropped his football and ran right over to N, and from then on, they were fast friends and playing the entire time together.... We were so happy our friend Susan and her daughter, Leeza (Baby Kaz Fan blog) were able to meet us, to!! We missed seeing a few other FLA friends, and hope next time we can connect!!

...Noodles... Get your Noodle Here, Mr. Noodle...

...Practicing their "Turtle" move to impress the girls...
yes, papa, this one is for you :)

...Three Little Sillies Sittin in the Sun...
Yipee Yippe.. was lots of FUN!

...N. teaching LM the Ins and Outs of APPs...

We also went to Disney! Mainly because we were there, and LM had never seen fireworks and my big man had never been. So, how could we not go? While most of the park was simply too old for him, we got there at 1, left at 9pm, and I don't think we left a pebble unturned of things he could do for his size and age...

...Choo Choo>>>
The train around the park was one of the most fun for him!

...It was IceCream and Smiles Every Day...
As any good vacation would have it.

A boy after my crazy rollercoaster heart... His absolute favorite ride was the Barnyard Coaster...

"Mama... This is gonna be fun"...
I kid you not, that IS what he said.
It was hilarious.

"Can we go again? and again? and again?"

The night wound down and we headed back to the castle for the real deal fireworks...

He loved them... It was so totally great.

And there ya have it -- It truly was an amazing, blessing of a week.... And a great place to celebrate our....

..."It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" Over Disney...
November 2010