Memorial Day

Hello! Wow, I have been a BAD blogger lately. I am sorry about that! I hope you all had a great, long weekend...I know we did! I'll post pictures tomorrow, but I figured I'd pop in and say hello to you!

Things have seemed extra busy here lately and I'm not sure why. Bear Cub is done with his school, and he just finished up his swim lessons last week. So now we are foot loose and fancy free for the summer! We're trying to get together with friends once or twice a week, we always get to the library, and we'll keep getting to the pool as much as we can. BC's swimming is going really well....we need to continue to practice coming up for air in mid-swim, but that's coming along, too. He can even dive in! Swimming may just be his "thing"...that is, if we can pry him away from the BUGS.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the boy is back into bugs. Oh my. We have different bug collecting containers with ALL kinds of interesting (and smelly) little insects. We take some of the longest, slowest walks around the neighborhood while he looks at and inspects everything he comes across. When it's a good find, he usually calls out, "Beetle alert!" or "Motherload! Millipede central!" Motherload?? Um, ya...we can thank Daddy Bear for that one. Not sure what it means exactly, but I think it's something like, "Cool!" But anyway, the bug scientist is back!

Some other points of interest, as my creative writing skills are waning as the night goes on:

• Bear Cub is BEYOND excited for his fourth birthday in July. He gets absolutely giddy when he talks about his train/bug/frog/rain forest/transportation party he wants to have. Yes, we will have to narrow those choices down as June progresses! :) I LOVE to see him so excited about his special day and I hope we can really plan something fun for him. He says he wants it at our local splash fountains, but if it gets too hot, we'll move to the pool and then he HAS to have the cake at home. Hmmmm...some more things to plan here...
• He counted to 40-something tonight while we were reading a counting book! He stumbled over a few numbers, but all in all, it was pretty darn good! He's also starting to write his name and it's actually LOOKING like his name. He's not too interested in it yet, but just the fact that he'll sit long enough to do that is a big achievement. He is soooooo smart...I wish I could capture the things he says on video. I could, but then I would miss out on the "live" version. I just don't like to be behind the camera! But trust me when I say that we have some highly interesting and hysterical conversations with BC lately! :)
• We are getting ready for a BIG adventure out West...we are going camping with our fave cousins in Colorado and Utah. We leave next Saturday, so we are in the midst of making our lists, gathering our MANY things, and just mentally preparing for this. Ha! The mental preparation is just for me. I have never been camping, so this is going to be NEW for me! Camping as in, sleeping in tents and cooking outside! Whoa...... I'm excited and just interested to see what it's all about. I am SO happy to be going with my GA cousins...they are pro campers and backpackers, so I know we'll be with the best. Just throw in our almost 4 year old and their 10 month old...and yes, we'll have some crazy stories to tell once we're home! More on that trip as it draws near...

Ok, I'd better head off now. I've got some photos to post tomorrow from Lil Miss's birthday party on Saturday and some fun around the house. Have a great week ahead! :)

Pictures...FINALLY!! :)

Cool dude! :)

Our nice wedding weekend! We had such a great time! :)

On the beach before the wedding...

The gorgeous bride and me!

Need another use for underpants? A beret! :)

All is well...just busy!!

Hi everyone! Wow, I can't believe it's Thursday already! This week has flown by. We had a fantastic time at the beautiful beach wedding last weekend. And what a nice little getaway for Daddy Bear and me! I'll post pictures soon...and write more too. Have a great day!! :)

Oh, the Places You'll GO!!

This beautiful young lady is my youngest niece (from my sister), who graduated from HIGH SCHOOL today! Congratulations! I am so proud of this girl. She is so smart, fun-loving, responsible and kind. My sister should also feel very proud of raising yet another wonderful young lady! She's off to college in the Fall and I know that there is only bright success in her future.

I remember the day she was born...I was sitting in my ninth grade English class when I got the note from the office saying that my mom had called and that my new niece had arrived! Wow, how time flies. I couldn't wait to meet her! And of course, she was as cute as a button back then, too!

Best wishes always to Miss M...the little girl that could light a room with her smile and now the high school graduate that has a whole world of possibilities in front of her. I love you, girlie girl!!

Thanks :)

Well, thank you all very much for your kind words regarding Bear Cub's tooth! It's nice to know that it isn't that noticeable to others...so it must be my Mommy eyes that are being overly critical. I'll write more again soon - just wanted to thank you for your nice comments! :)

The TOOTH

Ok, so I just noticed in one of my photo uploads that our recent little tooth "issue" is apparent. RATS!! A few weeks ago, BC took a pretty big bump to the mouth at the pool on one of the deck chairs. Lots of tears, no blood, and a quick recovery. Well, just last week, I noticed that one of his usually beautifully white front teeth looked grayish. **sigh** So I'm pretty sure we've got an injured tooth on our hands...well, in our mouth (Thank goodness for that! I'm not ready for teeth in his hands just YET!) I've done a little research and it seems like the discoloration will fade over time and that as long as there's no gum swelling or redness (and the tooth is NOT loose), it will be ok. Makes me happy that it's just a baby tooth, but still...my baby's precious WHITE tooth looks like I haven't brushed it in years. UGH!! So...I had to explain myself...just in case anyone out there noticed the funky tooth. Any encouraging words for me?? Please???

Howdy

All smiles with the ladybug on his sleeve. We're back into the bugs around here...BIG TIME.

Ewww! Slime! This was our second attempt at making slime and I will say...this turned out just right!

If it's gooey and gross, chances are, Bear Cub will love it!

Hello! Wow, sorry for my lack of posting. I tend to go in spurts with this and I guess I'm on an "off" kind of spurt. Ha! We are doing well here! This weekend we went to Busch Gardens, which was a lot of fun! They recently opened up a new Sesame Street kids' area and preschoolers were eligible for a FREE pass for the rest of the year! We couldn't pass that up, so we also bought ourselves passes, so we'll be heading there a lot this summer, I'm sure. Bear Cub had a good time, especially once I elbowed him into getting on some of the rides. He always drags his feet, but really likes it once he's on. :)

And as for this week, we've been to the gym and pool and doing our usual "stuff" around here. I am SOOOOOOO excited for this upcoming weekend. My great friend from childhood on up is getting married on the beach and Daddy and I are headed to the wedding on Saturday with an overnight stay at the hotel...just the two of us. I am so looking forward to relaxing on the beach, drinking a fun drink with a little umbrella in it, hanging out with my friends...and SLEEPING IN. YES!!!!!!!!!!!! :) Bear Cub will be in great hands at Grandma & Grandpa Bear's house. A little quality time for them all... (note to G & G Bear...GET READY...THE TORNADO COMETH SOON....) Hee, hee ;)

Enjoy the pictures & have a great week ahead! Our weather is H-O-T here and we luckily got some much-needed rain yesterday. Hopefully we'll get some more...except for all day Saturday and Sunday, please, Mother Nature. Please give me my beach days!

Best friends!

Hello!

Mama & me after an evening trip to the pool

Mimi & BC playing a fancy game of tic-tac-toe

Getting a little love from my man on Mother's Day

2 important & special mothers in our lives!

Bear Cub with his baby cousin A. They kind of look alike in this picture, don't you think?!? Too cute!

Hi everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend and a nice start to the week. We really had a nice Mother's Day, with our families here for lunch. :) That evening we went to the pool so Mimi could check out Bear Cub's swimming skills. She was impressed!

It's been a nice week for us so far. Mimi stayed 2 nights with us and we did our usual fun running around and eating out. Bear Cub had a good day at school yesterday and fun at his swimming lessons. We'll continue those until the end of this month, then I think we'll be fine for the summer. He loves the water, but now that we are in full "Lovebug" season around here, he seems to be more interested in catching those pesky bugs! And of course, they are all around the pool, so today's attempt at much swimming pretty much was lost. Ugh! He also LOVES to collect these (for those of you who don't "know" lovebugs...they are harmless little flying insects that make their lovely appearance twice a year here in Florida...I really don't think they serve ANY real purpose -- just to get smooshed on the front of your car and make a mess!) and will bring them into the house to keep as pets. **Sigh** Yes, I have one of those boys that brings in ALL kinds of creatures and then loses them around the house. The other day, I found a bunch of curled up (then dead) millipedes in his Fisher Price barn. His explanation? "I was just making a Millipede Farm, Mama!" :) Hey, the boy loves critters.

No other real big, exciting plans for us as the week comes to an end. I'm still working on my run/walk program. I'm happy to say that on Mother's Day morning, I made it up to just under 5 miles...in 50 minutes! I'm slowly working my way up in distance and really believe that I'll be fine for the November half-marathon.

Oh! I have to blab that Bear Cub is going to have ANOTHER baby cousin, come November! Auntie A and Uncle E are expecting their first baby. I think she'll find out the gender at the end of the month. Bear Cub says girl...and I think boy. We'll see! Anyway, congratulations to them...we're excited to have another baby (and so close to baby A) to love!

Have a great end to the week!! Will post again soon...

Happy Mother's Day!

Hi! I just wanted to wish all those Mamas out there a very happy Mother's Day tomorrow! I feel SO lucky to be Bear Cub's Mommy...he is my joy and such a precious gift to me (and us all). He may not have grown in my belly, but he grew in my heart beyond measure. :) Oh, how I love my little boy!

I'm looking forward to spending the day here at home with family and especially MY Mama. She is the absolute best...always there for me, lifting my spirits and filling my life with happiness and love. She has been a constant in my life, and for that, I am eternally thankful. I love her so very much and feel so blessed that she is mine. Thank you, Mama!! I love you!

Have a happy day...hopefully I'll be good and get lots of pictures! I'll post again soon...

And still more!

Listening to cousin E read some stories...ahhh...so peaceful & quiet!

We went on a dandelion adventure after chasing bubbles all around the yard. The kids were BUSY that day! :)

CUTE. Enough said!

This is baby J...the little girls' brother...our first time meeting this happy boy!

Some cousin-ly love...at one point, Bear Cub told this little birthday girl..."I love you!" They had fun together!

Busy with Play-Doh at Grandma S's house. It was so great to see BC actually interact with his cousins on this trip!

All smiles as he snuck a worm into the house...little rascal.

Naked boy helping Daddy hang ceiling fans for Grandma. Daddy DID wear clothes while completing the work. ;)

One more cute pic of BC with G & G. Aren't they sweet holding hands on the swing?? :)

More Indiana!

Helping Grandpa with the John Deere tractor

Whoa! The BIG tractor! Last time, BC did not want Grandpa to get this one started...this visit, he LOVED it! :)

Helping Grandpa clear leaves from the goldfish pond

BC found this R/C monster truck in their garage...we got some new batteries and he had fun zooming it around outside!

Helping to feed the fish...

Indiana trip - part 1

The boys...taking MANY spins around the driveway in Grandpa's golf cart (not used for golfing, but to go out onto their acreage to check on different things...their land is BEAUTIFUL!!)

BC...SO happy to be reunited with this truck...he loves it!

Little feet just barely over the edge of his airplane seat...and hanging on to Daddy's hand pretty tight during lift-off! :)

Ready to go! This boy should be the poster child for Southwest!

Having some fun and getting some energy out at the airport's play area. Thank goodness for this!

Hello everyone! Well, we are back from our very fun-filled trip to Indiana! We had a great time visiting with the family and enjoying some cooler weather. I've got a lot of pictures, so I'll just start with these for today. Bear Cub could hardly contain his excitement for the airplane trip and had a blast just being at the airport. He was fantastic on the flight...such a big boy! Our first 2 days were spent with Great Grandma & Grandpa C and we had lots of sunny weather. The temps were in the 70s, so it was just beautiful. You'll see that we spent TONS of time outside with them. The grown-ups got in some nightly card games (Us girls won the last night...woo-hoo! We ended on a high note this time!) and Bear Cub was happy to explore their property, looking for birds, checking out their fish pond and riding on Grandpa's tractors! I'll post again later...but for now, enjoy the pics from day 1 of our trip! :)