Backwards

Ok. I have a new uploader.  And instead of having to put pictures in the opposite of what I want them to appear...I guess I can do it how I want them to look.  But 17 pictures later...I'm so not going to re-upload them.  So please please go to the bottom :o)

And now you're to the end of the post.  Sorry so confusing.  Please pray we do NOT lose electricity tonight due to storms.  More pictures another day!

 We swam briefly, as it was a high of 70 with a little breeze.  The pool was heated, but it still wasn't what you'd normally call "swimming weather".  Rosebud LOVES water and enjoyed every minute of her time in the pool.

This baby girl was so happy to be out of coats, tights, and extra layers.  She just wiggled and wiggled her toes.

 We had lunch at my parent's "house" before going to swim in their heated pool.

 This is the view from my parent's campsite at their trailer park.  I'll put up a whole post on why they are there for the winter and the rest of what we did on this particular day.

 My brother is amazing with a camera.  He knows how to do things I still haven't figured out.  And he doesn't even own a camera like this.  He has used good cameras before and just instinctively knows what will look good.  You may remember him as "Mr. Computer".  Snug calls  him Uncle Alligator-see previous pictures!

 Got to love self timers  :o)

 This is a view of the mangrove from up on a tower.  You can see the city line in the very very back...but there are miles and miles of these plants.

 A view down the mangrove boardwalk we went down.  We saw cool spider webs, fiddler crabs, and lots of discarded drink bottles.  That was just so sad.  Who looks at all this beauty and then throws their garbage down?

 See!  I told you!  Lots and lots of alligators.

 A look down a canal.  Alligator country.

 On a nature walk near their condo, we saw all kinds of fun stuff.  I took saved and kept  480 pictures.  I won't share them all today.  Or ever.  But I had a blast working with my new camera.   This is a blue crab coming out from his home (see shadow on the left).

 This is a picture I was hoping for.   I actually took it several times.  Rosebud with her aunt and uncle.  Aunt Danielle "wore" her much of the time we were there.  She may not be a mom yet, but she is a natural!

 It is so odd to look at this picture as my lights are flickering.  We are in the middle of an ice storm that is threatening to take our power!

 This is Rosebud with the pilot on her first flight.  He was smitten with her.  He let her push buttons and play with everything.  I was hoping very much that he knew how to re-set everything!  Meanwhile I am standing where the very last of the passengers are trying to board and my carry-on is in the place where the stewardess is trying to serve beverages to the first class passengers.

 I was thinking if I waited to be one of the last ones on the plane, that we'd have to sit less.  However, I didn't think about trying to drag my carry-on and diaper bag while carrying a baby down a very skinny isle.

I was also so pleasantly surprised at how nice people were.  Several people helped me with getting my carry-on suitcase up into the overhead compartment/back down and even off the plane till we got into the airport. Even the TSA people who have been getting a horrible wrap were very polite and patient and helpful.

Good.  You are at the bottom and the "beginning" of this post!  So we left Friday evening after Draycare for an all-night trip to Florida.  We had a layover in Atlanta, and then landed in Ft. Myers about 11:45 pm.  I had the PERFECT traveling companion.  Very very little fussing, lots of sleeping and smiling, and trying to become friends with everyone on board.  I learned after this first flight that I need to pre-board when given the chance.

A Little Surprise Trip

I was given a generous gift and am able to currently be in SW Florida! About a week and a half ago I bought a ticket (at a ridiculously cheap rate) to make a surprise trip to see my brother and SIL. Ok, they knew I was coming, but it still was a surprise when I called and said "hey, I think I'd like to see you January 28-30th!"

I'll post more pictures post-trip, but here are a few. The first airport we were in had rocking chairs for people to sit in. I took full advantage of that. TSA wasn't a nightmare (although I was stopped because of the amount of breastmilk I was toting, but after testing it I was fine) and people were incredibly helpful.
About 12:00am we met up with Aunt Danielle and Uncle Nathan. This baby is a GREAT traveler.
She slept in was up bright and early after her late night flight. We enjoyed some morning rays before breakfast.
Someone is enjoying quite a but of attention. And I am trying to enjoy every minute and relax! I'll be home tomorrow morning with a full-daycare. :o)

Decision...

I took my new header picture tonight while the kiddos were in the tub. Sloppy Joes were a big hit for everyone...but a big mess for me.

I have a decision to make though. Should I keep it or try for a different one? I just don't know if Snug is too...old. For a tub picture. If he was in the pool I wouldn't even hesitate. But he's not.

Rosebud LOVES taking a bath. And until recently I had to take one with her because she is so slippery and adventurous. She has been trying to crawl around the tub. But now she is staying on her bum in the tub. Ok, taking a bath with two big boys leaves little wiggle room, but still.
And Rosebud really loves to watch Little Monkey Man. Cause...well...he's entertaining.
And if I had time tonight, I would have loved to have edited this picture. Her eyes!
So. As a header. Do I Keep? Ditch?

Mr. Handsome

This picture was taken of Snug when he was....2 1/2. It looks like he was so much older. My husband said it looked like he was about ten. I don't even want to think about him being ten!!!
He's growing up way too fast and he looks just like his daddy. Mr. Handsome.

Linking up with Black and White Wednesdays and Wedesday's Walk

Draycare

I don't feel like I blog about a HUGE part of our lives very much. Some of you may think that I blog about it too much. Today's post is about my job. So if you are the latter, come back tomorrow.

I tell my moms that I sit for that I will do my best to treat their kids like they are my own (ok, within reason. I don't spank their kids and there are some places in our house that are off limits to non-dwellers). And I strive to do that everyday.

I got a new baby today. She is just shy of 3 months old. We had a great day with her (despite some jealousy/confusion on Rosebud's end and lack of napping on her end) and will get to enjoy her 1-2 days a week. I have to remember how young she is as she is within 2 pounds and an inch or so of Rosebud. Note to self: Does not sit up, entertain self with toys, or crawl away from pestering boys. Also. I don't know how moms of twins do it. Cause 2 babies is HARD.

Although Snug and Little M go to a pre-k class twice a week, and although I have no intentions at this time to formally homeschool my kids, I do feel that home is their first school. And I do "homeschool" everyone in this house who are over the age of 3 and willing. I love doing discovery projects with the kids based on questions or observations they have.

Lately we've had a good dose of snow, and have been talking about/reading about/discovering new things about it. Yesterday we put on our science hats (not literally) and got busy.
I sent the big boys outside with the plastic trays we use for grilling out. They are always wanting to eat the snow outside and I'm always telling them not to. This experiment was "why not?". They made the hypothesis ahead of time that they shouldn't eat snow off the ground because it might get dirt in it. But the falling snow they thought was perfectly great.

One stood and collected falling flakes, one scooped from the ground.

I made up a sheet for the kids to put their names on (to feel nice and official) and then I recorded their answers to the questions.

They were very serious about the task.

Both boys thought that the snow from the ground would contain some dirt when it melted, but they weren't sure if the falling snow would be clean or not. They also thought all of the dirt would come from the actual ground itself.

They were surprised about all the little specks of dirt left as the snow melted-both in the snow from the ground and the snow that they caught as it fell. It paved the way to talking about how snowflakes are formed, pollution in our air, and why on earth there were so many bubbles in the snow as it melted.


While we do stories, experiments, field trips, library hour, and playdates, every day is not full of educational activities that inspire them to learn and create. There are days that we barely survive and they watch a full two hour movie instead of their usual 30 minutes. Sometimes I lose my temper. I don't always cook nutritious meals. Sometimes we have mac and cheese. But I do try to make this a home-like environment where they feel loved and cared for while their parents are away. Because that is what I would want for my kids.

***************Update******************

Sometimes things just make me laugh. After writing this post I went over and read Amanda's blog and from something she posted discovered this. Enjoy (read to the end to see why I was laughing)