Monday, March 28, 2011

Happy Birthday Allen


You are the nicest man I’ve ever met
Allen
and one of the hardest workers,
you never give less than your all,
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we love the family man you are,
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and the way you’ll do anything the boys want to do,
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even if it hurts…
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we worship and adore you.
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we’re also so grateful for everything you do that make our wonderful life possible.
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so get over the embarrassment and embrace it!
Happy Birthday!

Friday, March 25, 2011

On eating better

Everywhere you turn there are studies with data and such that extol the benefits of eating healthy.

Over the past few weeks I have been making sure that the boys have a protein, vegetable and fruit with their dinner.  Sounds simple enough.  The thing is that if your kids don’t eat, say chicken it makes it really easy to be lazy and give them cheese and peanut butter instead.  Easier for me, easier for them.

The problem is that easy isn’t really cutting it in terms of  nutrition.

Being willing to fight the fight is half the battle.  As I have said before, when I was a teacher it would have been unthinkable to let someone else’s kids do the things my kids do with food.  I am willing to fight the fight.

Planning has also been a hang up, I wasn’t putting enough thought into what they boys ate.  It was time for dinner and I just pulled out whatever fruits and dairy they hadn’t already had so far that day—that they were willing to eat.  If I was ambitious I made pasta and topped it with cheese.

Really it only takes 15 minutes to prepare kids food.  The key is having a good variety around.  That being said, I don’t anticipate changing their palettes over night, but getting a good variety of “kid food” would be a major improvement.  We can work on brussels sprouts next month!

It was going pretty well.  Eggs are easy, carrots have been pretty well received, cucumbers as well.  Jackson choked down a chicken finger, Miller ate it them somewhat willingly.  Fish sticks were eaten well with both boys.  Things are going pretty well.  I had some broccoli in the fridge that needed eating so I thought I’d give it a go.  I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Warning, don’t go any further if you have a weak stomach or are put off by my children being tortured.

First bite

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Do you think he likes it?

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Note the amount of butter that is left on his fork.

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Showing his new muscles he got from eating the single bite of broccoli!

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Then it was Miller’s turn…

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Also note the amount of butter left on the fork.

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Out it comes.

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Why did she make me put it back in my mouth???

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I think he’ll have to try it a few more times!

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Then I tried to get J to eat a bite and just swallow it with some milk.

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That was unsuccessful.

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I am willing to fight the fight.  But I also know when I am beat!

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Broccoli may have beat me on this one, but I am still fighting the fight, though.  We might wait a little while on broccoli again.  I’m thinking zucchini next!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Finally!


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My talented mom took these while she was here.
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These are the first pictures where all four of us are even looking in the same direction in, well, ever.
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Thanks Mom!
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Sunday, March 20, 2011

stretching

Every six months or so, I measure and weigh the boys just out of curiosity.  I’m always surprised that Jackson seems to hold steady during the fall and winter and then shoot up during the summer.
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Miller grows whenever it suits him.
Last week I got out our measuring stick and scale.  Jackson is holding steady at 42 pounds.  He gained half a pound since August.  Miller topped the scale at 35 pounds, gaining 7 pounds since August!  My back had been telling me he was bulking up, but the scale doesn’t lie.
When I measured them, Jackson has grown a little less than an inch.  Typical Jackson to only grow in the Summer.  I find it strange that his size 4 clothes, especially his shirts are looking a bit short.  Luckily his uniform has shorts and those don’t show as much as  when they get a bit short.
Miller on the other hand grew 2 and a half inches in the same 6 months.  He’s now mostly in size 3 clothes.
Jackson has always worn a size larger on top than on bottom, so I find some things coming out of Jackson's drawer and going right into Miller’s.  I love adjustable waists!
For the umpteen millionth time, I have decided to crack down on the eating.  They aren’t particularly happy about it, but they are doing alright.  More veggies and some meat, less pasta and peanut butter sandwiches.  Wish me luck!
The bottom line is that I’m glad summer clothes are in the stores now (online is all I can shop from) and get these boys some new clothes.

p.s. The crew cuts on the boys were an accident.  I keep telling myself that they will grow.  I’m still ticked about the situation.  I can do a crew cut, I took them in for a haircut.  UGH!
p.p.s. Their father likes it.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Every Day is a Zoo

While J was on his Winter break we visited the Zoo.  We have been to several zoos in our time and I have to say that this trip to the zoo was different than any other.

They had a black swan.

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Don’t be jealous of my mad photography skillz.

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He’s not at all scared.  I am, though.  Those things are mean!

Then we saw some lizards and turtles.  I have no pictures because I was chasing M all over the place.  He’s a little too big for the stroller and a little to crazy to be free.  What’s a mom to do?

I think the obvious answer is to get a leash.  I kid.  Not really.

Then there was the flamingo show. 

The flamingos were just milling about before the show.  I love his expression when he sees that they are right there!

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Even Miller was momentarily stunned into stopping briefly!

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I never knew flamingos would march.  They totally did!

DSCN2066There are flamingos AND tourists.  Love seeing tourists because it reminds me how special it is to LIVE here!     DSCN2046

 

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I have only pictures of the back of his head.  He liked the flamingos a lot.  He wanted to touch them so badly!

DSCN2064Unfortunately for him, they picked J to go into the show.  He was too shy, so our friends went in for some bumping from the flamingos.  She wasn’t at all intimidated by the flamingos bumping her! 

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Then it was time to feed the Lorikeets(small parrots).  That was really awesome.  They will land right on your arm and you feed them apple slices.

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Here are two of them where you can see their gorgeous colors.  DSCN2068 And that even beautiful creatures argue.  My guys sure are fun to look at, but being their mom at the zoo that day was a “challenge” to say the least.  Next time we will have to have take two parents!

It is a pretty small zoo, which is a good thing!  By this time I was D-U-N done.  And that was the end of the zoo!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Every once in a while

Since moving here we have had the opportunity to dress up for a few events.
Last week was a Gala for the opening of the new airport.  We were there with a about 1500 of our closest friends here in the Bahamas.
We had lots of fun because most of the friends that we have made here were invited.  I was just happy to be the guest of an invitee (Allen).
The invitations really set the tone for a memorable evening, and we were not let down one bit.
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Lenny Kravitz was the surprise entertainer and even though we are old and left before it was over, we still loved being there!
Here is a video of the concert.
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Monday, March 7, 2011

New Ride

Remember this? 
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It seems like yesterday!  Then a year and a half later he was doing this!
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Yep, he kind of looked like a giant on a minibike
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It was time.  He needed a new bike, so we went and got him one.  It’s about an inch too big so he has some trouble getting started since his feet don’t quite touch the ground when he’s on the seat. But an inch is nothing for this guy.  He may do that in the next week!

It’s lime green.  He likes green.  A lot!
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The handlebars are padded.  I like that!
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It’s a Cruiser, cause we live at the beach and all!
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It’s also got some kind of special treatment to keep it from rusting.  Cause we live…
Oh sorry for rubbing that in!
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It also makes him look really big.  I don’t know if I like that.
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Now can you stop growing up?
August 170