Picture Post

Its been awhile since my last post and I just wanted to empty my camera from the past month.  The winter weather in Naples means many afternoons spent at the park.  Lexi tells me every morning when she wakes up that she wants to go to the "paygound".  Daddy always takes them during the week but doesn't know how to operate the new camera very well. So, on the weekends I do my best to capture some fun times at the park. I have to say that I still LOVE my new camera!

These next shots took about five minutes.  Neither child would look at me at the same time.  It was driving me crazy and I was determined to take the perfect picture in the circle.  Well, I failed!  The lighting was too intense and neither child would cooperate.  But they are kind of cute...

This last picture is one of my favorites.  Not for the actual picture itself but for what it represents.  Lexi following her big brother...no matter what he is doing or where he is going.  She is always there to follow in his footsteps.  I hope he is always willing to guide her and I hope she will always eagerly follow.  Unless it is something bad! :)

Watchout Mary Lou Retton!!

This past Tuesday the kids started their first gymnastics class.  I'm not sure who was more excited; the kids or me!  Devin and Lexi aren't in preschool or a daycare environment so it's important we get them into group classes to interact with other kids their age, experience a structured routine and follow directions and listen to a teacher/instructor. I knew gymnastics would be fun for them both...I was right!  They loved it!  There are only two other kids in their class so they get a lot of attention from the teacher.  It's a seven week class and I hope each week goes as well as week one.  Devin cried on the way home in the car because he wanted to go back.  A week is an eternity to a three year old!

I took pictures from very, very far away.  It was really hard to capture good pictures being so far away and the lighting was awful.  Thanks to Photoshop Lightroom for helping me lighten them up a bit.  I have to admit that I was THAT mom!  I was the mom that the other moms look at funny and laugh at a bit and probably even said under their breaths; must be her first time here.  But that's okay, I don't need to make new friends...LOVE the ones I already have.  The two other moms in the waiting area were reading books and chatting on their cell phones.  They must be pros already because I never took my eyes off the kids.  I must have been the butt of their jokes all week with my big fancy camera and long lens moving from side to side to try to get a good picture.  I kept waving at the kids when they'd look at me or say something to me.  I really do think that I had as much fun as they did.

The first apparatus conquered was the balance beam.  Devin went first while Lexi anxiously waited for her turn.  It was hilarious to watch a two year old try to wait for a turn or even sit still.  She is the youngest in the class and the most active for sure!

Devin and his Michael Jordan tongue!

It was awesome to see the excitement on Lexi's face when the teacher put her up on the balance beam.

These next pictures are of Lexi waiting for her turn while Devin was with the teacher.  As you will notice, she doesn't look happy and eventually gets up and runs into the foam pit.  It was hilarious!

Her face is screaming....BORING!

There she is in the background, getting ready to jump into the pit!

Next up were the uneven bars.  I really could not see much at all.  But I did see Devin from the highest bar and that was pretty neat.  

Again, the next few pictures are of Lexi waiting for her turn.  All I could hear from the group from afar was Lexi yelling, "My turn!  My turn!".  Then I'd hear the teacher say, "Alexis, sit down, it's not your turn". I must have heard that twenty times.

Patiently waiting...sitting nicely.

Starting to get a little anxious and bored.

If I can't have my turn...then I'll just do a somersault right here!

Next up...Floor exercises.

           

  

To close the class, the teacher lets them run down the trampoline runway and jump into the pit.  Who got to go first???? Of course Lexi so the teacher wouldn't have to deal with holding her back. LOL  The kids had fun jumping into the pit.  They were all so cute.

Devin's turn...Because the lighting was so bad I didn't get a shot until he already jumped in.  And by jump in, I mean step in.  Anyone who knows Devin knows he's very careful.  He wanted to make sure it was safe first and then stepped in.  Unlike his sister who gladly dove in feet first!

The kids really enjoyed their first gymnastics class.  I really hope they have a future in it.  It's a great sport for both exercise and discipline.  It's also great all year long since it's inside.  We used Lexi's birthday money to pay for her enrollment.  So we want Aunt Joanie, Uncle Larry and Uncle Steve to know how appreciative we are of their gift to her. I think this was the perfect gift for Lexi and Mommy and Daddy since it wears her out!!  Thank you!

Mommy's Birthday Funday!

This past Saturday I turned  the BIG 3-3.  At first I was feeling old and bummed and then I realized how much I have at only 33.  I am one lucky 33 year old woman!  I have so much to be grateful for and I have so much love, happiness and support around me.  My birthday was spent with the people I love and I couldn't have asked for anything better.  I was spoiled from the moment I woke up on Saturday morning until Monday night when my fabulous husband cooked me an unbelievable steak dinner; accompanied by a lovely bottle of J. Lohr Cabernet courtesy of JoeyAnne Beckman.

Saturday morning Andy and Devin went to Publix to get some things for our family BBQ that afternoon.  When they returned home, Devin came in the house yelling, "SURPRISE!".  He had a bouquet of flowers for me and was so happy to give them to me.

Devin also picked out my birthday cake...he remembered what I told him.  Chocolate cake with fudge icing!!!

Nate and Diane were recently in St. Augustine looking at rehearsal dinner spots and hotels for Nate and Cristina's wedding in July.  They somehow managed to find themselves in a wine store and stumbled upon this BEAUTY...I can't believe they thought o me when they saw it!  Too perfect...

Not sure if you can see the picture clearly but the time out chair is in the corner with a side table that has a wine bottle and glass on it!  This is the funniest bottle of wine I've seen since they came out with Bitch wine!

The next series of pictures are some of my favorites ever.  Our kids love music so much and I hope that they always do.  Devin begs us to play Paul Simon's Rythem of the Saints CD, only he calls it "Drums".  The kids also love our concert DVD's and dance their hearts out.  Miah Jane and Joanne have joined us a few times for these dance marathons.  But these next pictures are priceless...the trio have formed their own band.  Ladies and Gentlemen...I'm proud to introduce............Three Kids on the Block!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (ahhh  ahhh ahhh ahhh ahhh ahhh - that's the crowd roaring! :))

 

 Before all the performing...these rock stars drove around in their pimped out pink corvette.  Don't all rock stars roll in a kick ass ride?! They wouldn't have it any other way.  (Thanks to the Brewers for casually leaving this beauty over at our house for the last month and a half!  We love it!)

This next picture could be on a greeting card...I'm having so much fun learning how to edit photos.  I'm sure I'll have it all down and the free trial of the software will run out.  I've got 18 more days...I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to post the next two weeks.


I really think this needs to be framed.  So cute!



Two curly haired cuties cruising...I smell TROUBLE in 13 years!

As you have seen in previous posts/pictures, Miah Jane loves slides.  They don't have to be big or fancy she just loves plain ole' slides!  We have the smallest swing set in our yard but the kids always find themselves drawn to it. 



The next three pictures Joanne took for me.  I love them because I'm watching the kids serenade me.  The first picture I'm staring at Lexi and the second picture I'm staring at Devin.  They were singing me Happy Birthday and I loved every second of it.  They were more excited then me and it was MY birthday.  I wish I were 2 or 3 again! Birthdays just meant presents and cake and ice cream!

My birthday wish this year...well I think you're supposed to keep it a secret, aren't you?! I have so much already, there's not more I could ask for. Like I said earlier, I'm one lucky 33 year old woman! :-)



Lexi enjoyed my cake more than anyone else.  She always does...She loves birthdays more than anyone I know because she gets to eat and wear the birthday cake.  As Devin used to say; Fafee's a hot mess!

I was spoiled rotten on my birthday and received unbelievable gifts.  Thank you to everyone for thinking of me on my birthday.  I'm not facebook and don't receive birthday messages like everyone else.  But everyone I know and care about called and texted me and that was so sweet.  All and all I felt like a spoiled little princess on my birthday this year and it felt GOOD! I could get used to that. 

 Happy New Year!!!